Hotel Artemis: Review

Even though her acting career is virtually in retirement nowadays it's wonderful to see Jodie Foster check in to the shadowy Hotel Artemis. Succeeding his screenplay for Iron Man 3 and the more celebrated Mission Impossible: Rouge Nation - Drew Pearce writes as well as directs Hotel Artemis. Taking place in the near future of 2028 during water shortage riots in Los Angeles, "The Nurse" runs a members only secret emergency room for criminals. 

Although you may not wish to stay the night Hotel Artemis is an easy four out of five stars on Trip Advisor. Pearce presents some very interesting ideas in a self contained, play like story - the rich and surprisingly developed characters truly drive the narrative forward. Hotel Artemis surpasses the average mediocre action romp because it finds an intriguing balance between the guests and the employees, those in need and those who help, those who kill and those who save, those who uphold and those who break the rules.

Foster shines through a dingy and chaotic setting as the dedicated nurse who oversees the operation with dedication and skill. She emphasises her dextrous but firm nature as she handles a batch of badly biffed baddies meanwhile turning away an injured crook who's membership has lapsed. As the story unfolds however the cracks begin to show, we learn she suffers with severe anxiety which prevents her from leaving the Hotel; constantly reminded of ghosts from her past. In the Hotel the primary rule states how everything that happens outside stays outside - this reinforces Pearce's vision of isolation, that the Artemis acts as a safe haven from the outer world not just for its wounded guests, but for its employees too.

Hotel Artemis succeeds as a film by combining each of the characters back stories into one, explosive main plot line. Sofia Boutella's role as a mysterious contract killer offers an insight into the life of criminals - explaining how it's not necessarily what they wished for but that "we can't all choose what we're good at". Despite the dynamic between him and his brother left a tad underdeveloped - Sterling K. Brown emerges as a likeable robber who desperately trying to escape the criminal underworld. Aside a generally well cast picture Charlie Day's irritating, loud mouth performance adds nothing to the narrative as well as popping up unwanted in moments of high tension. 

​Overall director Pearce has designed a film that is refreshingly original; he wins big on creativity and develops a self contained story to a very acceptable standard. Foster, Boutella, Brown, Dave Bautista as well as a sneaking cameo from Jeff Goldblum all click together decidedly well. Hotel Artemis is an iconic and impressive venue, yet try not to check in if you can avoid it!

Hotel Artemis: 

Good