
"Hotel Artemis," set in the near-future dystopian landscape of Los Angeles on June 21st, 2028, is a thrilling ride that combines the gritty allure of crime drama with the high-stakes tension of science fiction. At the heart of the film is the character Jean Thomas, famously portrayed by the inimitable Jodie Foster, who has taken on the moniker of "Nurse." She operates a secret, members-only emergency room for the criminal underworld, nestled in the once-grand Artemis Hotel. This isn't just any safe haven for the lawless; it's a sanctuary steeped in rules and the latest medical technology, a place where the city's most dangerous figures can find refuge and repair.
As the city around her erupts into chaos, with riots sparked by a dispute over clean water, Nurse's steadfast dedication to her code of conduct is put to the ultimate test. The night unfolds as a symphony of escalating crises, with a colorful and deadly array of characters checking into the Artemis. Among them is Sterling K. Brown's character, Sherman, known by his codename Waikiki, a smooth and savvy bank robber who seeks shelter with his brother after a heist gone awry. The brothers' arrival sets off a chain of events that challenge the sanctity of the Artemis's neutral ground. The Nurse must navigate a labyrinth of moral dilemmas as she tends to her patients, including a manipulative arms dealer, an injured cop, and a ruthless assassin with a personal vendetta against one of her guests.
The night takes a turn for the worse with the unexpected arrival of the hotel's owner, played with menacing charisma by Jeff Goldblum. His presence, coupled with the relentless advance of the riots outside, forces the Nurse to confront her own past and the stark reality of the city's power dynamics. As the walls of the Artemis begin to close in, the Nurse and her patients are pushed to their limits, fighting not just for their survival but for the very soul of the institution they've come to rely on. "Hotel Artemis" is a gripping tale of loyalty, redemption, and the blurred lines between right and wrong in a world where the law has lost its grip. Director Drew Pearce weaves a narrative that is as much about the human condition as it is about the adrenaline-fueled action sequences, leaving audiences pondering the cost of chaos and the price of peace in a city on the brink.