Jake Gyllenhaal’s remake of thePatrick SwayzemovieRoad Househas been getting a lot of attention recently after releasing its first trailer and being the subject of controversy over its streaming release plans. Gyllenhaal has recently attracted attention to the movie for different reason, though, after sharing a touching tribute to Swayze on social media.
Road House
AlthoughRoad Housesees Gyllenhaal stepping into the shoes of Swayze’s quick-fisted bouncer, playing Elwood Dalton as opposed to the original movie’s James Dalton, the actors previously worked together on Gyllenhaal’s breakout film,Donnie Darkoback in 2001. Sharing an image of the two of them together during the filming of the mind-bending sci-fi movie, Gyllenhaal wrote:
I’ve been thinking back about my time working with Patrick on Donnie Darko, and rewatching this great man in the original Road House plus so many other films. I’ve never stopped being a fan. He was such a talent and I continue to have so much respect and admiration for what he put out and into the world. I’ll never forget his kindness to me when I was starting out— he didn’t have to take the time, but he always did. We’ve made a different RH this time around, but hoping it’s one he would’ve had fun watching!
The original version ofRoad Housewas released in 1989, placing it in prime space for a remake. That has now come to fruition thanks to Prime Video, with Gyllenhaal being joined in the film byMMA fighter Conor McGregor, Daniela Melchior, Jessica Williams, and Post Malone. However, it has not been an easy knockout for the film, as even before reviews begin to come in, the film has sparked a heated debate over Prime Video’s decision to release it exclusively on their streaming platform and not send the film to theaters.
Director Doug Liman displayed his annoyance over the release strategy by boycotting the premiere of the movie, and suggested that the film should have been put out into theaters as that is what he made the film for. However, it was subsequently revealed that a cinematic release had never been on the cards, andRoad House was always going to end up as a streaming exclusive.
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Whatever the truth of the matter,Road Housewill debut on Prime Video on March 21 and will attempt to better the reviews held by Swayze’s original movie. Despite being a cult classic, the 1989 version only holds a 41% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus declaring that the film is “simply bad or so bad it’s good.” Gyllenhaal’s new iteration has made several changes to the story and the characters, but can it deliver something the original couldn’t? We are now not too far away from finding out.
Road Houseis released on Prime Video on June 11, 2025. The original 1989 movie is available to stream now on the same platform.
