Watch Hotel Noir

Hotel Noir is a stylish and atmospheric film noir from the year 2012, directed by Sebastian Gutierrez. The movie takes place in the dark and shadowy world of Los Angeles in the 1950s and tells several intertwining tales of crime, deception, and betrayal. The film opens with a private detective named Felix (Rufus Sewell) entering the Hotel Noir, a rundown establishment on the edge of downtown LA. Felix is there to meet a mysterious woman named Lena (Malin Akerman), who hires him to find her missing lover. Felix starts his investigation, which leads him down a dangerous path through the seedy underbelly of the city.

Meanwhile, we meet a series of other characters staying at the Hotel Noir. There's Iris (Carla Gugino), a lounge singer with a shady past who's being pursued by a gangster named Montgomery (Danny DeVito). There's Esther (Rosario Dawson), a prostitute with a heart of gold who longs for a better life. There's also a troubled couple, Frank (Aaron Behr) and June (Seychelle Gabriel), who are on the verge of breaking up.

As Felix continues his investigation, the various stories of the Hotel Noir's inhabitants begin to intertwine, leading to a dramatic and explosive finale.

The movie's black-and-white cinematography and moody jazz soundtrack contribute to its overall film noir atmosphere. The dialogue is sharp and witty, and the performances are excellent across the board. Malin Akerman stands out as the enigmatic and alluring Lena, and Rufus Sewell brings just the right amount of world-weary cynicism to his role as the detective.

One of the most striking aspects of the film is how it subverts our expectations of the traditional film noir genre. While the movie has all the hallmarks of a classic film noir - the gritty urban setting, the femme fatale, the morally ambiguous characters - it also incorporates elements of other genres, such as supernatural horror and romantic comedy. This genre blending makes Hotel Noir a unique and captivating viewing experience.

In addition to its stylish presentation and engaging storyline, the movie also touches on deeper themes such as regret, redemption, and the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world. The characters are all flawed and complex, and their struggles feel genuinely poignant.

Overall, Hotel Noir is a well-crafted and engaging film that will appeal to fans of classic film noir as well as those who appreciate more modern takes on the genre. With its strong performances, intriguing storyline, and evocative atmosphere, it's a movie that's sure to keep audiences hooked from beginning to end.