The Resort (2021), directed by Taylor Chien, is a horror film that follows four friends—Lex, Sam, Bree, and Chris—on a birthday trip to an abandoned resort on a remote Hawaiian island. Lex, a writer intrigued by the legend of the “Half-Faced Girl,” convinces her friends to explore the supposedly haunted location for inspiration. Despite warnings, they venture into the decaying resort, only to find themselves trapped and hunted by malevolent forces as night falls. The film employs a flashback narrative, with Lex recounting the harrowing events from a hospital bed, adding a layer of suspense to the unfolding horror.

While The Resort boasts a compelling premise and atmospheric setting, it has received mixed reviews. Critics have pointed out that the film spends a significant portion of its runtime on scenic shots and character interactions, delaying the onset of horror elements. When the scares do arrive, they are often seen as formulaic and lacking in originality. Additionally, the film has been critiqued for its lack of diversity and underutilization of its Hawaiian setting, with local characters playing minimal roles in the story. Despite these shortcomings, The Resort offers a brief, albeit conventional, addition to the horror genre, appealing to viewers seeking a straightforward haunted vacation narrative.