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Hotel by the River

Play trailer 1:38 Poster for Hotel by the River Released Feb 15, 2019 1h 35m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 45 Reviews 67% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Convinced he's on the verge of death, an aging poet invites his two bickering sons to an isolated hotel for a final goodbye.
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Hotel by the River

Hotel by the River

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Critics Consensus

Hotel by the River finds writer-director Hong Sang-soo revisiting familiar themes from fresh perspectives -- and telling a story that potently distills his unique creative strengths.

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Critics Reviews

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Ben Sachs Chicago Reader Hong Sang-soo was the most reliable auteur of the decade... Dec 30, 2019 Full Review Justin Chang Los Angeles Times It's an explosive, soul-baring display from a filmmaker who hasn't lost - and indeed, may be rediscovering - his capacity for surprise. Dec 18, 2019 Full Review Andrew Chan Film Comment Magazine For all its solemn beauty, Hotel by the River is lax and under-imagined compared to Hong's masterpieces. Mar 21, 2019 Full Review CJ Sheu The News Lens International So that’s the plot, and it only exists so that the characters can hold forth on gender dynamics in the second act. But before that, we get to luxuriate in the muted winter beauty of the river scenery, accentuated by the crisp black-and-white digital image May 24, 2024 Full Review Vadim Rizov Filmmaker Magazine Both of this year’s productions are in black-and-white, always a reliable indicator that Hong’s in a heavy mood; I don’t necessarily mind that, but Hotel by the River struck me as lugubrious. Jan 4, 2023 Full Review Taylor Baker Drink in the Movies Episode 41: Best of 2019 So Far Rated: 72/100 Oct 4, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (4) audience reviews
don k supple direction masterfully controlled. cinematography is straightforward and unpretentious despite being b&w. A throwback to 60s and 70s Europeans. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review dave d While there is no doubt Hong Sang-soo's latest is beautiful, it failed to grab me and left me bored at times. Filmed in black and white, 'Hotel by the River' is on the nose and the backdrop for a self-fulfilling story of a poet living for free in a hotel who wants to see his two sons because he thinks he's going to die despite not being ill in any way. Along the way he meets a couple of women and boredom ensues. The plot is just too thin, despite really good acting and moments for each to shine. This one left me empty. 6.1/10 Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Vapid. Not even worth the time to write a thoughtful review. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Audience Member Great cinematography and direction except at some places when the camera zooms unnecessarily. I loved the snow in black and white, it created good contrast between the people with black dress and the surroundings. The movie is so realistic and beautiful. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Hotel by the River

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Convinced he's on the verge of death, an aging poet invites his two bickering sons to an isolated hotel for a final goodbye.
Director
Hong Sang-soo
Screenwriter
Hong Sang-soo
Distributor
Cinema Guild
Production Co
Jeonwonsa Film
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Korean
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 15, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 21, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA)
$27.8K
Runtime
1h 35m
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