Movie Review - Road House

Director: Doug Liman
Genre: Action/ Crime
Runtime: 121 minutes
Year: 2024
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Daniela Melchior, Connor McGregor, Billy Magnussen, Jessica Williams, Lukas Cage, Austin Post
 
Description: 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.

Review: These days, Hollywood finds its inspiration in old films, deciding to remake a lot of them. “Road House” is one such remake that gives a popular film of the past a modern twist. This often does not lead to the most original and good films, but maybe this action spectacle will make you forget about the 1989 version with Patrick Swayze. News flash: it will not.  

In “Road House” we meet Elwood Dalton, a former UFC fighter who takes a job as a bar in Florida. This bar is troubled, with guests constantly breaking into brawls. But Dalton finds out there is more behind this constant violence.

Of course, you should not take this movie too serious. The film in general looks fine, the fights are nicely choreographed and it has some smooth editing. But aside from Jake Gyllenhaal’s character Dalton, you don’t get to know any of the side characters. Giving them no background, they are just there, all very disposable characters.

Jake Gyllenhaal carries this one through. He is one of my favorite actors, he is in some of my most beloved movies. But even he could not save “Road House”.  

The antagonist in the story is Knox, a psychopath who uses violence just for the sake of violence. He is portrayed by MMA fighter Conor McGregor. Please, for the love of God, never let this man on a film set ever again. Talking about over-acting. He feels like a caricature. His character is most implausible thing you will find in an already implausible film.

You are left with nothing but silly entertainment. Thank goodness for Jake Gyllenhaal, but I prefer the 1989 version.

Rating: 2,5/ 5