The Royal (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
The Royal is a 2022 biographical sports film directed by Marcel Sarmiento, starring Michael Beach, Elisabeth Röhm and Amin Joseph. It runs 1 hour 38 minutes and earned $1.4 million worldwide. Critics gave it 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.3/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 38m (98 min)
- Director
- Marcel Sarmiento
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Samuel Goldwyn Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Royal About?
The premise of The Royal without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
Inspired by a true story, this drama follows two friends, Hanna and Liv, who journey to a remote Outback mining town in Australia. Seeking work, they find jobs at the notorious Royal Hotel, immersing themselves in the town’s vibrant and often chaotic drinking culture. Their spirited behavior clashes with the locals, leading to escalating conflicts and a dangerous series of consequences as they navigate the challenges of their new surroundings.
The Royal Themes & Keywords
· 10 tags- royal
- love
- hairdresser
- wedding
- lifetime
- fear
- marriage
- romantic comedy
- feel good romance
- reframe stamp
The Royal Cast & Characters
Michael Beach leads the cast, with Elisabeth Röhm and Amin Joseph as Willie Mays Aikens. Directed by Marcel Sarmiento; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Marcel Sarmiento
-
Michael Beach -
Elisabeth Röhm -
Amin Joseph as Willie Mays Aikens -
Michael Beasley as Pastor Means
Also Starring in The Royal
· 6 more- Nic Bishop George Brett
- Anthony M. Bertram Hector
- Andrea Navedo
- LisaRaye
- Olivia Holguín Camila
- Dallas Young
More from Marcel Sarmiento
More films directed by Marcel Sarmiento, best-rated first: Deadgirl, The ABCs of Death, V/H/S: Viral and Faceless.
The Royal Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Royal 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 48/100, strongest in art & craft (60) and weakest in rewatch factor (35).
The Royal Echo Score Breakdown
The Royal presents a polarized picture, with critics highlighting its disciplined direction and tense atmosphere while many viewers criticize its thin characters and unsatisfying resolution. Positive commentary emphasizes the film’s restrained storytelling and effective suspense, whereas audience feedback repeatedly points to shallow development and an anticlimactic finale. This divergence results in a modest overall rating that reflects both the film’s technical merits and its narrative shortcomings.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 60
In terms of art and craft, the film displays a competent directorial hand and a polished visual style. Critics note the tight framing and purposeful pacing that build tension, and one user applauds the precise direction. Conversely, several viewers describe the execution as uneven, citing a lack of cinematic payoff. Overall, the craftsmanship is respectable but not uniformly praised.
- Character & Emotion 50
Character and emotional depth receive mixed reactions. Critics commend Julia Garner’s nuanced performance and commend the cast’s ability to convey unease. Yet many audience members lament shallow development, describing motivations as underexplored and emotional engagement as lacking. The disparity between professional accolades and viewer disappointment balances the score around the midpoint.
- Story & Flow 40
The story’s coherence and pacing are points of contention. Positive reviews acknowledge a well‑structured tension arc and a satisfying conclusion, while numerous users decry a convoluted plot that unravels toward an anticlimactic ending. The narrative’s originality is praised as modest but its execution is often deemed unsatisfying, pulling the score toward the lower range.
- Sensory Experience 55
Sensory elements such as sound design and visual atmosphere garner generally favorable remarks. Critics highlight the film’s ability to sustain a claustrophobic mood and effective auditory cues that heighten suspense. Audience comments are less specific but avoid major criticism, suggesting the sensory experience is competent though not outstanding.
- Rewatch Factor 35
Rewatch value appears limited according to audience feedback. Many viewers label the film as a one‑time experience, citing an unsatisfying climax and limited incentive to revisit. While critics note a lingering tension that could reward repeat viewings, the prevailing sentiment among users diminishes the rewatch factor to a low score.
-
IMDb 5.3 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 89% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 37%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
TMDB 50% User score
See on TMDB -
Movie Insider 4.5 /5
See on Movie Insider
The Royal Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in The Royal from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Izzy, also known as Isabella, portrayed by Laura Marano, is a dedicated hairdresser who is beloved in her community for her warm heart and willingness to help those in need. One fateful day, a mishap in her salon involving a microwave leads to a fire that disrupts her life. In a swift response, she manages to extinguish the flames but discovers that the electric system was overburdened due to too many appliances being used simultaneously.
Full summary
The whole story of The Royal, scene by scene, with the ending explained
The Royal Box Office
The Royal grossed $1.4 million worldwide. $780,263 came from the US and Canada and $586,452 (43%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$1.4M
- US & Canada
- $780.3K
- International
- $586.5K
The Royal Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Royal.
How Well Do You Know The Royal?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What profession does Izzy have?
Cars in The Royal
10 cars on screen, including the 1989 Subaru L-Series and the 2008 Fiat 500.
-
1989 Subaru L-Series Important role -
2008 Fiat 500 Minor role -
Holden unknown HQ Minor role -
1996 Mitsubishi Triton Minor role
Seen The Royal?
Movies Like The Royal
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Royal Treatment, Royal Hearts and A Royal Seaside Romance.
The Royal FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Royal, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Royal?
The Royal runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).
When was The Royal released?
The Royal was released on July 15, 2022.
Who directed The Royal?
The Royal was directed by Marcel Sarmiento.
More films by Marcel Sarmiento Who is in the cast of The Royal?
The Royal stars Michael Beach, Elisabeth Röhm and Amin Joseph as Willie Mays Aikens, among 10 credited actors.
How much did The Royal make at the box office?
The Royal grossed $1.4 million worldwide ($780,263 domestic, $586,452 international).
How is The Royal rated?
The Royal has 5.3/10 on IMDb, 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, 50% on TMDB and 4.5/5 on Movie Insider.
Does The Royal have a post-credit scene?
No. The Royal has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
