'Road House' movie review: Jake Gyllenhaal, Conor McGregor lead one-note fight fest
Gyllenhaal plays an ex-UFC fighter in a new version of Patrick Swayze's 1989 film
Following the late Patrick Swayze 1989 film Road House, Jake Gyllenhaal is an ex-UFC fighter in the new Prime Video movie, with the same name, also starring Conor McGregor.
Watch Road House on Prime Video with a 30-day free trial, then $9.99/month
Where to watch 'Road House'
The 2024 movie Road House, from director Doug Liman, is available on stream on Prime Video. The 1989 version of the film is also available to watch on the streaming site.
Where was 'Road House' filmed
While Road House is set in the Florida Keys, the film was shot in the Dominican Republic and during the UFC 285 event in Las Vegas in 2023.
'Road House' cast
The cast of the new Road House movie includes Gyllenhaal, McGregor, Jessica Williams, Daniela Melchior, Joaquim De Almeida, Lukas Gage, Billy Magnussen and Post Malone.
What is 'Road House' about
Gyllenhaal plays Elwood Dalton, a former UFC fighter, barely making ends meet, but resting on his intimidating reputation, after his last infamous fight had a fatal resolution.
Frankie (Jessica Williams) notices Dalton and offers him a job to be a bouncer at her bar, call The Road House, in the Florida Keys. She need someone to handle the unwanted patrons terrorizing her business.
Dalton is hesitant, but ultimately takes Frankie up on her offer, injuring a lot of people on the job.
But The Road House's biggest threat is the villainous Ben Brandt (Billy Magnussen), a rich man hoping to gain control of The Road House property.
That's where McGregor comes in as Knox, a crazed and unhinged enforcer for hire, set to be Dalton's ultimate opponent.
Is 'Road House' worth watching
Calling this 2024 version of Road House a remake isn't particularly accurate. It's more like a movie with the same name, and a vaguely similar plot, but we wouldn't recommend going into this thinking it's going to be incredibly similar to the 1989 film.
With odd CGI choices and a predictable story (even with the remake element aside), Road House really relies of Gyllenhaal's charisma, and McGregor's reputation as a tough fighter, with an extreme personality, to drive this film.
If you're someone who enjoys the tropes of this kind of action film, frequent fight sequences, one man set to save a small community of kindhearted people, an innocent love interest and a dangerous villain filled with rage, then this will be a movie for you.
Writers Anthony Bagarozzi and Chuck Mondry really threw the kitchen sink into this story. There are socioeconomic tensions, policing issues and biker gangs, but it's so much that the story just feels very convoluted. Unless, of course, you plan to really just pay attention to the fight scenes.
Watch Road House on Prime Video with a 30-day free trial, then $9.99/month
That being said, Gyllenhaal is a great choice for Dalton. He's absolutely believable as an ex-UFC fighter, and he's able to bring forward that mix of a dangerous guy, who is also caring and compassionate. It's the mix we expect (and need) in this story, and it works well.
McGregor comes into this film like a wrecking ball. There's one scene where Knox has a golf club and he just start smashing everything in sight. It's that destructive moment that kind of makes you perk up in a movie like this, and you almost start to laugh with all the chaos you're watching unfold.
Overall, this is a movie meant for someone who just wants to watch some action and fighting on their screen. The plot isn't particularly compelling and the characters aren't thoroughly developed.
If you're hoping for a well rounded story, with some action, you'll likely be underwhelmed. If you just want to see Gyllenhaal and McGregor, and even Post Malone, fight on screen, with some cheesy one-liners for dialogue, then Road House is waiting for you on Prime Video. Click in and enjoy.
