The Royal Hotel 2023

Two adventurous American backpackers, Hanna and Liv, find themselves exploring the vast landscapes of Australia. After depleting their finances during an exciting time in Sydney, they seize an opportunity presented by an employment agency to work as bartenders at the Royal Hotel, a pub located in a secluded Outback mining town. Upon arriving at their new workplace, they encounter the pub’s owner, Billy, along with his wife Carol, who also takes charge as the pub’s chef.

Their initial shift is filled with chaos as they host a lively farewell party for the previous bartenders, Jules and Cassie, who are also tourists from England. During this time, the two women meet a variety of regular patrons. However, [Hanna]‘s sense of unease grows as she faces the rampant sexism and derogatory behavior exhibited by the predominantly male customers. While [Liv] sees this as merely a shock to their cultural system, [Hanna] struggles against it.

The following day, [Jules] and [Cassie] are given a ride back to town by the enigmatic local named Dolly. Matty, a young patron who previously showed interest in both [Hanna] and [Liv], pays them a visit, which leads to an outing at a nearby swimming spot where [Hanna] begins to form a connection with him. However, they soon observe the strained relationship between [Billy] and [Carol], learning that [Billy] has fallen several months behind on payment to deliveryman Tommy, much to [Carol]‘s distress.

That night, while [Liv] sleeps, [Hanna] must fend off [Matty]‘s advances, and the following morning he apologizes. As the days pass, [Hanna] continues to endure ongoing harassment and microaggressions from the customers, while [Liv] finds herself more accepted among the regulars due to her carefree demeanor. The situation takes a turn when [Liv] begins to neglect work duties, spending her time drinking with [Teeth] and befriending the locals.

One fateful evening, while [Hanna] is left to handle the bar alone, [Dolly]’s drunken aggression towards her escalates until [Billy] is compelled to remove him from the premises. Although shaken by the incident, [Liv] dismisses [Hanna]‘s concerns about [Dolly]. Things take a peculiar twist when a snake infiltrates their living quarters, prompting [Dolly] to offer assistance in retrieving it. However, the next morning reveals [Dolly] has left a dead snake in a jar with [Hanna]‘s name on it, causing further distress.

After [Hanna] insists on quitting and confronting [Billy] about their unpaid wages, a heated argument leads [Billy] to injure himself after a drunken fall, resulting in [Carol] driving him to the nearest hospital. Before leaving, [Carol] tells the girls she’s taken some money to cover debts, instructing them to maximize their earnings and depart when the bus arrives in two days.

On their final night, [Hanna] organizes a birthday celebration for [Liv]. However, trouble arises when [Hanna] learns from [Teeth] that [Liv] has left with [Dolly]. A desperate [Hanna] intervenes by slashing a tire on [Dolly]‘s car with an axe in a bid to keep her friend safe. The night ends with tension and arguments between the girls after they return to the pub, leading to a chaotic morning where [Hanna] discovers [Dolly] and [Matty] have broken in.

In the ensuing struggle, [Hanna] is injured while trying to protect [Liv] from the men, who are determined to take her away. However, [Liv], realizing her friend’s plight, makes a bold escape from [Dolly]. Chaos erupts when [Teeth] crashes into [Dolly]’s vehicle, defending [Liv]. As the scene unfolds, the girls resort to smashing liquor bottles in the pub, and in the final act of defiance, [Hanna] ignites the Royal Hotel in flames. They walk away together, silently reflecting on the raging fire behind them, leaving behind the turmoil they endured.