The Royal Hotel Ending Explained
TL;DR: The Royal Hotel is a tense psychological thriller that follows two backpackers, Liv and Hanna, who take jobs at a remote Australian outback pub. The ending reveals the escalating danger they face from the locals, culminating in a violent confrontation where Hanna kills Billy, the most aggressive patron, in self-defense. The film concludes with the women escaping, but their trauma lingers as they process the events. The ambiguous final shots suggest they may never fully recover from the ordeal, leaving their future uncertain. The film critiques toxic masculinity and the vulnerability of women in isolated environments.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The climax of The Royal Hotel builds to a harrowing confrontation between the two protagonists, Liv and Hanna, and the increasingly hostile patrons of the pub, particularly Billy. Throughout the film, the women endure harassment, gaslighting, and threats, with Billy being the most overtly dangerous. The tension peaks when Billy, drunk and enraged, corners Hanna in a storage room, intending to assault her. In a desperate act of self-defense, Hanna grabs a nearby object (likely a bottle or tool) and strikes Billy, killing him. The sudden violence shocks both Liv and Hanna, forcing them to flee the pub in a panic.
The aftermath of Billy's death is left deliberately ambiguous. The film doesn't show the women reporting the incident to authorities, suggesting they may fear retaliation or not being believed. Their escape is frantic and chaotic, mirroring their psychological state. The final scenes depict them on the road, visibly shaken, with Hanna silently processing what she's done. The camera lingers on their faces, emphasizing the weight of their trauma. The open-ended conclusion implies that while they've physically escaped, the emotional scars may never fully heal.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
- Do Liv and Hanna face legal consequences for Billy's death?
- Possible Answer: The film suggests they don't, as they flee immediately. In the remote outback, it's plausible the death is ruled an accident or covered up by the locals.
- How does their friendship change after the ordeal?
- Possible Answer: Their bond is likely strained - Liv initially downplayed the danger, while Hanna bore the brunt of the violence. Survivor's guilt and resentment may linger.
- What happens to the pub and its patrons?
- Possible Answer: The pub likely continues operating, with Billy's death either ignored or blamed on the "hysterical" backpackers. Toxic masculinity persists unchecked.
- Do the women ever recover emotionally?
- Possible Answer: The final shots imply long-term trauma. Hanna's hollow stare suggests deep psychological damage, while Liv may struggle with guilt for not acting sooner.
Themes & Social Commentary
The ending reinforces the film's central themes: the pervasive threat of toxic masculinity and the systemic vulnerability of women in hostile environments. The pub serves as a microcosm of a society that tolerates-even encourages-misogyny, where women's fears are dismissed as overreactions. Hanna's act of violence, while justified, is framed as a last resort in a world that offers no protection. The lack of resolution for Liv and Hanna underscores the real-life struggles of women who survive such ordeals-justice is rare, and healing is fraught.
Personal Opinion on the Ending & Film
The Royal Hotel is a gripping, unsettling film that excels in building dread through atmosphere and performance. The ending is effective because it refuses neat resolution, forcing viewers to sit with the discomfort of Liv and Hanna's trauma. However, some may find the ambiguity frustrating-did they escape justice? Will they ever find peace? These unanswered questions are intentional, mirroring the unresolved nature of real-life violence against women. The film's strength lies in its unflinching portrayal of gendered power dynamics, though its bleakness may be hard to stomach. Overall, it's a powerful, if harrowing, cinematic experience.