Watch Hotel Artemis

In the year 2028, Los Angeles is torn apart by widespread civil unrest and riots, marking one of the worst years of the city's history. Amidst this chaos, "Hotel Artemis" stands as a hidden and exclusive medical facility, catering only to the city's most dangerous criminals. However, even with the rules strictly enforced, it is not immune to the turmoil encompassing the streets, as the imminent Los Angeles water riots threaten its very existence.

Jodie Foster stars as Jean Thomas, the Hotel Artemis' Nurse, an agoraphobic character, and the heart and soul of the hotel. Thomas spends her days healing the wounded, but she is also the one who provides her patients a safe haven by thwarting the police and administering medication without any questions, becoming a trusted confidante to local criminals. Thomas is a woman with a tragic past that viewers catch a glimpse of throughout the movie.

One day, Thomas is given an influx of new arrivals who are all afflicted with injuries, some more serious than others. One of the new guests is the irresistible Nice (Sofia Boutella), who is definitely not who she seems, and the grisly Waikiki (Sterling K. Brown) who has just completed a bank robbery with his brother, Honolulu (Brian Tyree Henry). There’s also Acapulco, played by Charlie Day, a cocky arms dealer with a misguided sense of his own importance, and Niagara, played by Jeff Goldblum, the high-powered gang lord that the rules don’t seem to apply to.

As the night progresses, even with the pressure of the riots and the arrival of the criminals, the medical facility's well-being remains the main priority. Hotel Artemis becomes a battleground between patients and staff and between criminals and regimes, heightening the audiences' tension and setting the stage for a thrilling ride.

One of the great things about Hotel Artemis is its futuristic design, with director Drew Pearce creating a believable future dystopia with a familiar atmosphere. Every beat of the film looks and feels inventive and unique, with an expert combination of practically created sets and special effects. The result is a cinematic environment that looks both intensely familiar and boldly different at the same time.

Jodie Foster is undoubtedly the star of the show, and her fan will undoubtedly delight in seeing her headlining a movie once more. She remains formidable as Nurse Thomas, whose charming personality gradually unfolds with an intruiging backstory. Sofia Boutella also delivers a standout performance, showcasing her action prowess and effortless cool in every scene she appears in.

One of the best parts of the movie is the loyal character portrayals, especially that of Dave Bautista as Nurse Thomas’ badass protector and right-hand man, Even in moments of levity, Bautista's character feels grounded and believable. He portrays a character whose loyalties go beyond monetary gain, and his chemistry with Foster's character adds considerable depth to the film.

Hotel Artemis manages to balance the entertainment value of a heist film with a futuristic utopia drama. It's never afraid to be spontaneous and surprising, which leads to an action-packed and amusing experience for the audience. The concentration on world-building, the well-drawn backstory of the hotel and the character's stories, and the way the director manages to raise tensions results in one of the most enjoyable films of the year.

Overall, Hotel Artemis is definitely a movie worth watching. With an incredible cast who put their heart and soul into their performances, superb directing by Drew Pearce, and an intriguing mixture of genres, it's a film that you won’t want to miss. Whether you are into action, drama, or a unique blend of both, Hotel Artemis will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

Hotel Artemis is a 2018 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 58.