Hotel Artemis (2018) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The Hotel Artemis is a secretive medical facility hidden within Los Angeles, specifically designed to treat and shelter criminals who need care but cannot seek help from legitimate hospitals. Run by the enigmatic Nurse, it functions as a neutral ground where outlaws can receive treatment without fear of arrest, provided they follow the house rules.

• hotel artemis
• secret hospital
• criminal refuge
• los angeles

Hotel Artemis takes place in the near future on June 21, 2028, during a time of severe social unrest. The film uses this near-future setting to explore contemporary issues around resource privatization and economic disparity, particularly a riot over water privatization that turns Los Angeles into a battleground.

• 2028
• future setting
• los angeles
• riot
• water privatization

Jean 'the Nurse' Thomas is the owner and caretaker of Hotel Artemis, portrayed by Jodie Foster. She is a former nurse with a tragic past, the death of her son, that drives her desire for redemption. She runs the hotel as a sanctuary for criminals while struggling with grief and alcoholism, constantly balancing her moral principles against the harsh realities of her world.

• jean thess
• nurse
• caretaker
• jodie foster
• redemption

Los Angeles descends into anarchy during the film due to a violent riot protesting the privatization of water, an essential resource that has been commodified, leaving citizens desperate. This external chaos creates the high-tension atmosphere that surrounds the Hotel Artemis and forces characters to make life-or-death decisions as the city falls apart.

• los angeles riot
• water privatization
• chaos
• anarchy
• resource scarcity

Violence is a central theme in Hotel Artemis, exploring how violent actions lead to tragic consequences both for individuals and society. The film shows violence as a destructive force that forces characters into life-threatening situations, with their decisions often resulting in irreversible damage. This theme is reinforced through the constant threat from both internal conflicts among criminals and the external riot.

• violence
• consequences
• death
• conflict
• brutality

Loss permeates the narrative primarily through the Nurse's personal tragedy, she lost her son, and this grief shapes her every decision at the Hotel Artemis. Her journey represents a struggle for redemption and healing amid tragedy, showing how loss can deeply impact one's moral compass and relationships with others.

• loss
• death
• grief
• redemption
• nurse

Survival is explored as the primal instinct that emerges when people face life-or-death situations. The Hotel Artemis becomes a microcosm of society where desperate measures are taken to stay alive, showcasing how extreme circumstances force individuals to make impossible choices. Characters from different backgrounds must navigate this reality throughout one night.

• survival
• desperation
• life and death
• moral choices

Waikiki is a charming and resourceful character who arrives at Hotel Artemis after a heist goes wrong. His relationship with his brother and the moral dilemmas he faces drive significant portions of the narrative, as he struggles between doing what is right and the desperate circumstances he finds himself in.

• waikiki
• heist
• sterling k brown
• character

Everest is the Nurse's loyal assistant at Hotel Artemis, portrayed by Dave Bautista. He provides physical strength and unwavering loyalty to Thomas, acting as her protector and enforcer of the hotel's rules. His presence brings stability and grounding to the chaotic environment, and he steps in to protect both the Nurse and other guests when danger escalates.

• everest
• dave bautista
• assistant
• loyalty
• protection

Morgan is a wounded police officer who arrives at Hotel Artemis seeking medical help, adding urgency and complexity to the hotel's guest dynamics. Her history with the Nurse reveals an emotional connection from their shared past, showcasing the blurred lines between law enforcement and the criminal underworld in this world.

• morgan
• jenny slate
• police officer
• wounded

Acapulco is a restless guest at Hotel Artemis whose repeated escape attempts create tension throughout the film. His reckless behavior and pursuit of freedom contrast with the survival strategies of other characters, illustrating different responses to chaos and ultimately leading to significant consequences.

• acapulco
• charlie day
• escape
• reckless

Hotel Artemis presents a dystopian near-future Los Angeles where essential resources like water have been privatized, creating severe social inequality and unrest. The film uses this setting to comment on contemporary issues of economic disparity and corporate control over basic necessities, with the riot and chaos reflecting societal breakdown.

• dystopia
• future
• societal breakdown
• corporate control
• inequality