Road House

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Road House

R

1989

1h 52m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

44%

Tomatometer

50 Reviews

67%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

The Double Deuce is the meanest, loudest and rowdiest bar south of the Mason-Dixon Line, and Dalton (Patrick Swayze) has been hired to clean it up. He might not look like much, but the Ph.D.-educated bouncer proves he's more than capable -- busting the heads of troublemakers and turning the roadhouse into a jumping hot-spot. But Dalton's romance with the gorgeous Dr. Clay (Kelly Lynch) puts him on the bad side of cutthroat local big shot Brad Wesley (Ben Gazzara).

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Critics Consensus

Whether Road House is simply bad or so bad it's good depends largely on the audience's fondness for Swayze -- and tolerance for violently cheesy action.

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Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

03/29/2024

4/5

Silly, yet plays it straight, and everyone involved knows exactly the type of genre-pleaser they’re making... aspires to be nothing more and nothing less than a goofy experiment in translating the arc of the Western lone gunman to being a bouncer.

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Sean T. Collins

Decider

07/12/2019

...it isn't just so bad it's good. In its own bad way, it really is good!

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Sheila Benson

Los Angeles Times

03/27/2019

But in deep "Road House" country... and the undefined made crassly visible, there isn't a whiff of romance anywhere, any more than there's a single jot of common sense.

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Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

04/13/2024

C+

While the basic story is predictable, the acting is solid and the music is great. This movie has a lot going for it. The Jeff Healey Band provides much of the movie's soundtrack, playing all through it. This band is really impressive.

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Don Shanahan

Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast

03/31/2024

A sweaty and brawny classic of excess and coolness.

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Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

03/29/2024

1.5/4

Not controlled or competent enough to work as a spoof, a serious action flick, or anything in between.

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Joaquin U

@Joaquin1 Aug 20

Very entertaining, with non‑stop action. So‑called "professional" critics—especially Millennials—bash films through generational bias, forgetting to place them in historical context. This classic ’80s entry became a cultural icon for several reasons: Swayze’s presence above all, plus the music, the solid cast, and a parade of fights, explosions, gratuitous nudity, and violence, all in the spirit of the times, with the lone hero delivering his brand of justice. The direction is adequate, the script dumb—but it’s the kind of dumbness you can actually enjoy.

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Tim D

@RT70717942 Jul 21

Men as bratty 5th graders. There are other dumb cartoons out there, some of which are worth watching. Just not this videocassette soap opera.

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Horror fan 4

@Horrorfan4life Jul 13

One of the greatest 80's movies of All-time. Patrick Swayze and his mullet rule!!! Throw in Sam Elliott and you have one hell of a good time. This was when being a bouncer was cool. Jeff Healey band was personally selected by Swayze. The fight scenes were well choreographed and it would be an 80's movie without boobs. Tim Treakle

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Eric S

@RT27117716 Apr 1

Great movie, great fight scenes, Sam Elliot, a classic

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Dylan T

@Dylly Mar 12

Classic 80s , music, fighting, romance, rich against poor, what not to love! swayze & elliot :)

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Noah H.

@Noah85 Mar 8

A cult classic from the 80s. Road House is a REALLY fun movie. It has a lot of good action with a strong, emotional core at the center of it all. The film shines thanks to the performances of Patrick Swayze and Kelly Lynch. The chemistry of both their characters is really felt and is the beating heart of the movie. I’m only giving this 4 and 1/2 stars because as good as the action is, it can be QUITE violent and a little gory. But, if you can get past that, Road House is a good time. We miss you, Patrick Swayze 😢.

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Rowdy Herrington

Director

Patrick Swayze

Dalton

Kelly Lynch

Doc

Sam Elliott

Wade Garrett

Ben Gazzara

Brad Wesley

Marshall R. Teague

Jimmy

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Synopsis

The Double Deuce is the meanest, loudest and rowdiest bar south of the Mason-Dixon Line, and Dalton (Patrick Swayze) has been hired to clean it up. He might not look like much, but the Ph.D.-educated bouncer proves he's more than capable -- busting the heads of troublemakers and turning the roadhouse into a jumping hot-spot. But Dalton's romance with the gorgeous Dr. Clay (Kelly Lynch) puts him on the bad side of cutthroat local big shot Brad Wesley (Ben Gazzara).

Director: Rowdy Herrington
Producer: Joel Silver
Screenwriter: R. Lance Hill, R. Lance Hill, Hilary Henkin
Distributor: United Artists, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: Silver Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Action, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 19, 1989, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 20, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $27.4M
Runtime: 1h 52m
Sound Mix: Surround

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