Films like Bad Times at the El Royale.

Bad Times at the El Royale (2018) reads as Sombre, steady, measured thriller / mystery, grounded in texture. Nihilistic, intimate, measured. Every film below is ranked by distance across the same twelve hand-scored axes — with what it keeps, and where it walks away. Not a genre dump.

The Whistlers (2019) poster
1. The Whistlers2019

Keeps the patient, unhurried pace and the unmistakable directorial hand — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

The Master (2015) poster
2. The Master2015

Keeps the unmistakable directorial hand and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Broken Embraces (2009) poster
3. Broken Embraces2009

Keeps the patient, unhurried pace and the unmistakable directorial hand — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

One Battle After Another (2025) poster
4. One Battle After Another2025

Keeps the patient, unhurried pace and the unmistakable directorial hand — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Ulidavaru Kandanthe (2014) poster
5. Ulidavaru Kandanthe2014

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the unmistakable directorial hand; trades toward a patient, unhurried pace.

The Coffin in the Mountain (2014) poster
6. The Coffin in the Mountain2014

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace; trades toward a bone-dry seriousness.

Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash (2021) poster
7. Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash2021

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the unmistakable directorial hand — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Aaranya Kaandam (2010) poster
8. Aaranya Kaandam2010

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the unmistakable directorial hand — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore (2017) poster
9. I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore2017

Keeps the unmistakable directorial hand and the heightened unreality; trades toward a cold, bleak undertow.

Trivisa (2016) poster
10. Trivisa2016

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace; trades toward a bone-dry seriousness.

The Sisters Brothers (2018) poster
11. The Sisters Brothers2018

Keeps the patient, unhurried pace and the unmistakable directorial hand; trades toward a cold, bleak undertow.

Decision to Leave (2022) poster
12. Decision to Leave2022

Keeps the unmistakable directorial hand and the heightened unreality; trades toward a patient, unhurried pace.

These are Bad Times at the El Royale’s neighbours — where are yours?

Rate five posters and the same twelve axes read you — then tonight’s pick comes from your own centre of taste.

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