Road House (2024) review

Was the world clamoring for a remake to Road House? Some cheesy 80s action films undeservedly get this untouchable status from fans. They doubt an updated version could capture the magic of the original. There’s plenty of evidence suggesting that this theory isn’t unfounded. See Take Red Dawn, Total Recall, Robocop and Point Break remakes as strong examples.

Fortunately, the Jake Gyllenhaal-led Road House remake to the 1989 Patrick Swayze film stands just fine on its own. And is quietly a pretty entertaining action film. One that doesn’t require a warehouse full of guns, bullets and explosions for a fine cinematic party. Just a few slaps, punches and a hungry croc.

The basic premise of the original is intact with some modern flourishes to update it for contemporary audiences.

Gyllenhaal’s Dalton is a disgraced UFC fighter instead of a martial arts expert. Dalton’s a nomad essentially running a hustle to drum up enough money for food and an admittedly small wardrobe. His possessions are limited to what fits in his car, which also doubles as his bed.

Road House owner Frankie (a very fun Jessica Williams) seeks Dalton’s help. Some less than desirable patrons are messing up the carefree bar environment Frankie’s clientele has come to expect over the years.

Dalton isn’t eager to trigger his inner-Hulk and reluctantly agrees to help out for a month. He travels to Florida and befriends some of the locals including a bookstore owner (Kevin Carroll) and his daughter (Hannah Love Lanier) and Road House employees (Lukas Gage, Dominique Columbus and B.K. Cannon).

The film features multiple acts performing at Road House with various styles. This gives the place a fun, local dive bar environment.

Dalton’s first night is eventful. He encounters a troublemaking gang led by Dell (JD Pardo) intent on harassing the patrons. Director Doug Liman (Mr.& Mrs. Smith, Edge of Tomorrow) makes good on this opening action sequence. There’s some clever camera pans and well-timed close-ups. These make the force of Dalton’s slaps and punches seem to land that much harder with a devastating impact.

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Gyllenhaal gives Dalton a forceful calm. He’s the most dangerous man in any room yet actively works at keeping himself emotionally detached in fights. There’s no need to make things personal when Dalton is capable of inflicting life-altering harm to his opponents. The payoff to the initial action sequence is terrific.

And it introduces Dalton to another key player in the Keys — Ellie (Daniela Melchoir, Fast X), an ER doctor. One area where the film is lacking is the underdeveloped connection with Dalton and Ellie. Beyond they both find each other seriously attractive.

Business magnate Ben Brandt (Billy Magnussen, No Time to Die) is growing impatient with Frankie’s reluctance to sell. Brandt’s incarcerated father has less patience and sics madman Knox (Conor McGregor) in to get Road House shut down. McGregor seems to relish the opportunity to go full-on cartoonish Bond villain here. It’s a role that requires a completely over the top performance and McGregor delivers.

Charles Mondry and David Lee Henry’s script works in some very funny lines and moments without taking the film too far into comedic territory. The cast overall is strong with Gyllenhaal and Williams’ line delivery in particular helping to make their characters memorable. Arturo Castro has some great bits as Brandt’s less committed gang members.

Few viewers are turning in for the witty lines and quick-burn lust with Dalton and Ellie. Liman knows it’s all about the action and delivers some big showy brawls with impressive amounts of property damage. Fittingly, the final act features the wildest and most hard hitting sequences.

To switch up the perspectives, occasionally Liman throws in some POV angles to offer an intimate look at how Dalton sees his fights.

The finale is open-ended enough to suggest a sequel could be a possibility. There are actually enough story elements to tie up to warrant a follow-up. And as long as Gyllenhaal and Liman are on board, that’s more than enough to order up another round.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Photo Credit: Amazon

You can watch Road House now on Amazon Prime.

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