Road House (2024)

-Written by Bryan Miller. 

In this adrenaline-fueled reimagining of the 80s cult classic, ex-UFC fighter Dalton (Jake Gyllenhaal) takes a job as a bouncer at a Florida Keys roadhouse, only to discover that this paradise is not all it seems.

If you are a fan of exotic locations, western-like plots, shirtless men, and a copious amount of fist fights, then Road House (2024) is your movie. Based on the 1989 film of the same name, Road House (2024) tells the story of Dalton, an ex-UFC fighter with a past so notorious that even Post Malone refuses to fight him. The film follows Dalton as he takes on more than he bargained for when he agrees to work as a bouncer at an unruly and picturesque beachfront bar in the Florida Keys. So, does this update do the 1989 version justice? Was Gyllenhaal able to fill the boots of the late, great Patrick Swayze? Yeah, I think so.

So, what did I like about the movie?

Swayze’s Road House was far from perfect, but it always had its charm. While this update takes its premise a bit more seriously, I didn’t think it did so to spite the original. There are a ton of elements from this movie that are drawn directly from Swayze’s version. This movie knows what it is and does not shy away from it, which I appreciate. I have seen too many remakes attempt to retell the narrative by completely ignoring what made the original so good (I am looking at you, Total Recall!)  So in many ways this version builds on Swayze’s version by ironing out much of the more cringe-worthy moments and absurd concepts of the first. Honestly, I do not care how legendary Swayze’s Dalton is at his job, it makes more sense that the character is known for being a former UFC fighter than simply being a really great bouncer. There will be those who will probably hate that it works out some of the cheesiness, but I didn’t.

Another thing I enjoyed about the film was Gyllenhaal. I thought he slid into the role quite seamlessly, even with the hefty boots he needed to fill (I still think he should have sported the mullet, but that is just me). I thought he did an incredible job portraying the character as both charming and easy going, while making everyone aware that there is a darker, more dangerous version simmering just below the surface. Gyllenhaal also put the physical work in, but I think his performance would have been just as enjoyable even if he was forced to keep his shirt on for the majority of the film. 

On the technical side, I thought Director Doug Liman clearly had some fun while filming this movie. The fight sequences (though shoddy at times, but I will discuss that later) were fairly viscerous and truly felt damaging. Liman also had some fun with his camera work in order to draw the audience deeper into the action and allow them the opportunity to feel as if they were a part of the scene. I was also an avid fan of the film’s move from Missouri to Florida as it gave the audience some fairly scenic shots and some breathtaking imagery.

Now, what did I not like about the movie?

The fight sequences, though exciting, looked at times completely fake. I read that they attempted a new filming technique to give the action a bit more of a realistic feel by allowing computer generated images take the place of the actors in order to make the hits and kicks actually land instead of actors simply pulling their punches. Yes, the hits may have seemed realistic in some of the shots, but it was still clearly fake for a large portion of the action sequences, which completely took me from the moment. Bad CGI in films is nothing new, but this was a distraction and took away from the grittiness of those moments.

Another thing that did not win me over in this update was the villains. In Swayze’s version, Ben Gazarra took on the role of the main antagonist, and while he played it in a more outlandish fashion, he at least felt to be a more formidable foe to Swayze. No, he did not come off as a physical equal, but he at least came off as unhinged and dangerous. In this version, the main antagonist, played by Billy Magnussen (Ben Brandt), never comes off as someone who was an actual threat. He actually only comes off as being spoiled and whiny. I am not saying that Magnussen did a poor job, I just did not like how the character was written. Liman provides moments that could have showcased a more sinister side into the character (like demanding a straight razor shave on visibly rough seas), but he never crosses that line into the realm of dangerous, just annoying. In the end, he comes off more like a Nepo baby with an inferiority complex. My only assumption is that they decided to portray Brandt in this manner in order to showcase the character of Knox, played by actual UFC fighter Conor McGregor. I do not want it to seem that Knox is actually a negative aspect of this film as McGregor chews up scenery with uncomfortable precision because that is not the case, but if I had anything negative to say about his character it is that they work a bit too hard to make him seem unhinged, and it isn’t necessary. 

Lastly, I did not care for the romantic side of this film. Daniela Melchior takes on the role previously played by Kelly Lynch, and though I thought both actors could have really dialed up the heat they never reach the same level as with Swayze and Lynch. There is some heavy flirtation, and some innuendo, but nothing ever really comes from it and it ends just as abruptly as it began. A little more time built into the characters could have made the last act really shine and make his efforts to protect her more meaningful.

All in all, Road House (2024) is exactly what you think it will be. It’s loud, it’s violent, it is fully aware of what it is and does not attempt to be something more than that. Though an unnecessary remake, I still enjoyed the film and would not mind seeing these characters come back in a later film.

Directed by Doug Liman. 

Written by Anthony Bagarozzi, Chuck Mondry, & R. Lance Hill. 

Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Daniela Melchior, Conor McGregor, Billy Magnussen, Jessica Williams, etc. 

7 Clams out of 10 = WATCH IT FOR FREE