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The Royal Hotel 2023

Seeking financial stability, two American friends, Hanna and Liv, find work at The Royal Hotel, a weathered pub in the remote Australian Outback. Immersed in a world of tough locals and unforgiving landscapes, they quickly discover that their new jobs come with unexpected challenges and a complex web of relationships. As they navigate their surroundings, the adventure they’ve embarked on proves to be far more complicated than they initially anticipated.

Seeking financial stability, two American friends, Hanna and Liv, find work at The Royal Hotel, a weathered pub in the remote Australian Outback. Immersed in a world of tough locals and unforgiving landscapes, they quickly discover that their new jobs come with unexpected challenges and a complex web of relationships. As they navigate their surroundings, the adventure they’ve embarked on proves to be far more complicated than they initially anticipated.

Does The Royal Hotel have end credit scenes?

No!

The Royal Hotel does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of The Royal Hotel

Explore the complete cast of The Royal Hotel, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for The Royal Hotel

See how The Royal Hotel is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where The Royal Hotel stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Echo Score

The Movie Echo Score

70

The Royal Hotel delivers a controlled psychological thriller built on precise direction and committed performances, though its uneven pacing and abrupt resolution undercut sustained engagement. Critics highlight the film’s smart understatement and chilling realism, and many users note the effective atmosphere of restlessness and edge-of-seat tension. However, frequent comments on the leisurely middle act and jarring finale point to structural unevenness. While the film’s stylistic rigour and feminist subtext hold interest, its uneven narrative momentum tempers the overall impact.

The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for The Royal Hotel

80
Echo Score

Art & Craft

In terms of art and craft, the film’s direction and visual composition are distinct strengths. Critics praise Kitty Green’s smart understatement and chillingly real approach, noting precise framing and efficient pacing in each scene. Some references to a more accessible style suggest modest ambition in production design. Overall, the restrained visual language and focused editing reinforce the tense atmosphere with clarity.

70
Echo Score

Character & Emotion

When it comes to character and emotion, performances anchor the film despite occasional depth issues. Julia Garner’s portrayal consistently draws praise for conveying nuanced responses to danger, and several supporting actors receive commendation for maintaining tension. However, some reviews find the character arcs underdeveloped or implausible in key moments. In sum, the cast’s strong presence sustains audience interest even when emotional complexity falters.

65
Echo Score

Story & Flow

In terms of story and flow, the film offers a compelling premise but uneven pacing. Critics and users note the sustained tension of isolated settings and psychological stakes, while others highlight a leisurely middle act and an abrupt, anticlimactic finale. The narrative occasionally feels predictable, with character choices stretching plausibility in the closing scenes. Overall, the uneven momentum hinders consistent engagement throughout the film.

70
Echo Score

Sensory Experience

When considering sensory experience, the film’s atmosphere and sound design effectively convey unease. Critics highlight the film’s twitchy soundscapes and grim ambiance, and several user reviews praise the edge-of-seat intensity achieved through measured audio-visual cues. A few viewers find the threat level underplayed relative to the build, but the restrained score and cohesive visual style generally support the film’s persistent tension. Overall, sensory elements bolster the intended psychological effect.

55
Echo Score

Rewatch Factor

Regarding rewatch factor, the film’s thematic focus and pacing limit its replay value. While the psychological intensity and feminist subtext attract initial interest, many viewers note that the slow build and anticlimactic resolution reduce incentive to revisit the narrative. Few reviews mention lasting appeal beyond the first viewing, and the restrained structure offers limited new insights on repeat. Overall, the film’s strengths are less likely to endure through multiple viewings.

Metacritic

77

Metascore

5.6

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

89%

TOMATOMETER

review

36%

User Score

IMDb

5.8 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

54

%

User Score

Letterboxd

3.0

From 13 fan ratings

Movie Insider

5.00/5

From 1 fan rating

Take the Ultimate The Royal Hotel Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of The Royal Hotel with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


The Royal Hotel Quiz: Test your knowledge about Hanna and Liv's wild adventures in 'The Royal Hotel'.

What type of establishment do Hanna and Liv work at?

Awards & Nominations for The Royal Hotel

Explore awards

Discover all the awards and nominations received by The Royal Hotel, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how The Royal Hotel and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.


13th AACTA Awards 2024

Nomination

Best Film

Kitty Green
Nomination

Best Direction

Kitty Green
Kitty Green
Nomination

Best Screenplay in Film

Kitty Green
Julia Garner
Nomination

Best Lead Actress

Julia Garner
Nomination

Best Supporting Actress

Ursula Yovich
Nomination

Best Casting

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for The Royal Hotel

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Read the complete plot summary of The Royal Hotel, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


Two adventurous American backpackers, Hanna and Liv, find themselves exploring the vast landscapes of Australia. After depleting their finances during an exciting time in Sydney, they seize an opportunity presented by an employment agency to work as bartenders at the Royal Hotel, a pub located in a secluded Outback mining town. Upon arriving at their new workplace, they encounter the pub’s owner, Billy, along with his wife Carol, who also takes charge as the pub’s chef.

Their initial shift is filled with chaos as they host a lively farewell party for the previous bartenders, Jules and Cassie, who are also tourists from England. During this time, the two women meet a variety of regular patrons. However, [Hanna]‘s sense of unease grows as she faces the rampant sexism and derogatory behavior exhibited by the predominantly male customers. While [Liv] sees this as merely a shock to their cultural system, [Hanna] struggles against it.

The following day, [Jules] and [Cassie] are given a ride back to town by the enigmatic local named Dolly. Matty, a young patron who previously showed interest in both [Hanna] and [Liv], pays them a visit, which leads to an outing at a nearby swimming spot where [Hanna] begins to form a connection with him. However, they soon observe the strained relationship between [Billy] and [Carol], learning that [Billy] has fallen several months behind on payment to deliveryman Tommy, much to [Carol]‘s distress.

That night, while [Liv] sleeps, [Hanna] must fend off [Matty]‘s advances, and the following morning he apologizes. As the days pass, [Hanna] continues to endure ongoing harassment and microaggressions from the customers, while [Liv] finds herself more accepted among the regulars due to her carefree demeanor. The situation takes a turn when [Liv] begins to neglect work duties, spending her time drinking with [Teeth] and befriending the locals.

One fateful evening, while [Hanna] is left to handle the bar alone, [Dolly]’s drunken aggression towards her escalates until [Billy] is compelled to remove him from the premises. Although shaken by the incident, [Liv] dismisses [Hanna]‘s concerns about [Dolly]. Things take a peculiar twist when a snake infiltrates their living quarters, prompting [Dolly] to offer assistance in retrieving it. However, the next morning reveals [Dolly] has left a dead snake in a jar with [Hanna]‘s name on it, causing further distress.

After [Hanna] insists on quitting and confronting [Billy] about their unpaid wages, a heated argument leads [Billy] to injure himself after a drunken fall, resulting in [Carol] driving him to the nearest hospital. Before leaving, [Carol] tells the girls she’s taken some money to cover debts, instructing them to maximize their earnings and depart when the bus arrives in two days.

On their final night, [Hanna] organizes a birthday celebration for [Liv]. However, trouble arises when [Hanna] learns from [Teeth] that [Liv] has left with [Dolly]. A desperate [Hanna] intervenes by slashing a tire on [Dolly]‘s car with an axe in a bid to keep her friend safe. The night ends with tension and arguments between the girls after they return to the pub, leading to a chaotic morning where [Hanna] discovers [Dolly] and [Matty] have broken in.

In the ensuing struggle, [Hanna] is injured while trying to protect [Liv] from the men, who are determined to take her away. However, [Liv], realizing her friend’s plight, makes a bold escape from [Dolly]. Chaos erupts when [Teeth] crashes into [Dolly]’s vehicle, defending [Liv]. As the scene unfolds, the girls resort to smashing liquor bottles in the pub, and in the final act of defiance, [Hanna] ignites the Royal Hotel in flames. They walk away together, silently reflecting on the raging fire behind them, leaving behind the turmoil they endured.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for The Royal Hotel

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from The Royal Hotel. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Official Trailer

THE ROYAL HOTEL at TIFF 2023 | Q&A Kitty Green

Director Kitty Green on reuniting with Julia Garner and The Royal Hotel's writing battle | BAFTA

Cars Featured in The Royal Hotel

See 10 more

Explore all cars featured in The Royal Hotel, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Fiat

2008

500

Holden

unknown HQ

Isuzu

2010

D-Max

Mitsubishi

1996

Triton

Mitsubishi

1996

Triton

Mitsubishi

1985

Fuso Canter

Nissan

2007

Patrol

Subaru

1989

L-Series

unknown

unknown

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


american abroadtoxic masculinitymisogynymale dominated societythe outback australiaoutback hotelsocial thrilleraustraliaworking holidayozploitationworkplace harassmentbackpackerrural settinggender rolesmale chauvinistpubpsychological thrillermasculinitypatriarchytoxic culturesexismsexistmale chauvinismfeministmisogynistchauvinistsouth australiaoutbackoutback towncountry townoutback south australiadrinkerbarbackpackingpublicanremoteregionaldrinking culturedrinkingboozegrogalcoholoutback characterjokebehaviourout of controlbarmanbar owneraustraliandesert town

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