Ex-Ultimate Fighting Champion (UFC) fighter, Elwood Dalton (Jake Gyllenhaal) takes a job as the bouncer of a Road House in the Florida Keys at the request of its desperate owner Frankie (Jessica Williams). After months of harassment from violent biker gangs she needs someone to fight back. 

Full disclosure, there will be no comparisons to Patrick Swayze’s 1989 cult classic Road House which this film is adapted from because I have not seen it. On the strength of this remake I might give it a shot. The switch of location from Missouri to the Florida Keys is the obvious difference between films even for someone who has not seen it which gives it a much more appealing visual flair.

The plot for this one is helpfully explained to us by a young girl that Dalton meets on his arrival to Florida. She explains that he is like one of the hero’s from a western who comes in to town to help the locals against the bullying outlaws. And there is not much more to it than that. Dalton is haunted by his past that we will find out about as the story unfolds. There are some villains and corrupt officials who have their reasons for terrorising the Road House. And most importantly there are a string of well choreographed and violent fight sequences. 

Gyllenhaal’s anti-hero is a very appealing lead. He seems to be kind and caring and makes friends with a number of the locals. It is far removed from the brooding silent type I was expecting especially given the ridiculous physique he has built for the role. His demons are still there but he is trying to be a better person. His character even has time for a brief liaison with local doctor Ellie (Daniela Melchior) which you find yourself routing for even though it is really just a way to add some peril to the situation. 

The villains of the piece whilst threatening add a lot of comic value to proceedings. The big bad is Ben Brandt (Billy Magnussen) who we meet on a catamaran in choppy waters demanding a straight razor wet shave which sums up the ridiculousness of his entire plan. The stunt casting of real UFC fighter Conor McGregor as Knox mostly works as well. His swagger and irritating behaviour translates brilliantly to the over the top idiot he portrays. The sort of man with his name emblazoned on a gold chain around his neck and tattooed on his body multiple times and a penchant for bad parking. McGregor and Gyllenhaal also exchange some really cheesy one liners that you would expect from a 1980’s action film. But my favourite was a henchman named Moe (Arturo Castro) who seemed to want to make friends with Dalton and hold a conversation with him as he beats them all up. 

The fight sequences themselves are incredibly well put together as well. Occasionally using first person perspective and not shying away from extreme brutality they achieve what they need to. 

Director Doug Liman has a great track record with interesting action movies including The Bourne Identity, Edge of Tomorrow and American Made. And his ability to make genre fair interesting and exciting are all over this. Whilst Gyllenhaal is the sort of charismatic actor who can hold your attention with the bare bones plot. 

As an addendum, I have since watched the original Road House and my review is here: Road House (1989)