The Royal Hotel sets itself up as a slow-burning psychological thriller with an interesting premise and a setting ripe for tension. The story follows two backpackers who take jobs at a remote Australian pub, where they must navigate the rowdy and often unsettling behavior of the predominantly male patrons. While the film's laid-back pacing and immersive atmosphere make for a somewhat engaging watch, it ultimately stumbles in its execution, particularly in its final act.
The biggest issue lies in how the climax squanders the film's most promising elements. The pub itself, with its claustrophobic feel and the ever-growing aggression of the drunk and unpredictable customers, seems tailor-made for a nerve-wracking escalation. However, instead of truly capitalizing on this, the film meanders, failing to push the tension to its full potential. The character of Dolly, whose presence hints at something more menacing, is severely underutilized in the final confrontation. What should have been a gripping, high-stakes moment fizzles out, leaving the resolution feeling unearned.
The ending, in particular, is frustratingly weak. Instead of a decisive or thematically satisfying conclusion, the protagonists make a baffling choice that feels more like a narrative cop-out than a natural resolution. Their decision to simply walk off with their bags, after everything that's transpired, makes for an anticlimactic and unsatisfying conclusion. It's as if the film itself is unsure how to wrap things up, resulting in a final stretch that lacks impact and cohesion.
Overall, The Royal Hotel has an intriguing setup and some effectively unsettling moments, but it ultimately misses the opportunity to fully exploit its setting and characters to deliver a truly gripping thriller. It builds toward something potentially great, only to lose its way at the finish line.
