Summary

• Road House 2024 successfully updates the 80s cult classic with a diverse cast and a more explicit backstory for Dalton.
• The chemistry between the A-listers and debutants in the remake elevates the action film, drawing in positive reviews.
• Jake Gyllenhaal's charismatic portrayal of Elwood Dalton, along with Conor McGregor's Knox, add depth to the character dynamics.

Despite following the same basic story as the original, Road House 2024 has enjoyed a generally positive reaction, largely thanks to the performances of its impressive cast.

Just as in the earlier adaptation, the movie revolves around bouncer Dalton, who leads a security crew at a roadhouse in the Florida Keys. Drawing on his experience as an ex-UFC fighter, Dalton gradually helps his colleagues learn to fend for themselves, while repelling the attention of the nefarious Ben Brandt and his psychotic associate, Knox. Although the plot stays relatively true to the original, the movie's success stems from the chemistry between its varied cast of A-listers and debutants. As a result, the Road House remake's cast is actually much more varied than many typical action movies.

Jake Gyllenhaal as Elwood Dalton

Jake Gyllenhaal is 43 years old

Actor: Undoubtedly the biggest name connected to Road House 2024, Jake Gyllenhaal is a Hollywood veteran who has featured in a range of celebrated action movies and dramas. While his most acclaimed roles include the likes of Brokeback Mountain, Zodiac, Nightcrawler, and Prisoners, he has also taken on a range of physically demanding action roles. Projects like Southpaw, Ambulance, and even Spider-Man: Far From Home made the Los Angeles-born superstar the ideal choice for a reinterpretation of Dalton.

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Character: A combination of charismatic and dangerous, Elwood Dalton is the enigmatic protector of the titular roadhouse. Unlike the first film, Road House 2024 is more explicit about his backstory, establishing Dalton as an ex-UFC fighter. He is also humorous, verbally jousting with opponents before physically engaging them.

Daniela Melchior as Ellie

Daniela Melchior is 27 Years Old

Actor: Portuguese-born Melchior has quickly established herself as an up-and-coming star in Hollywood, featuring in a range of high-profile projects before Road House. After featuring in several Portuguese movies, Melchior made her breakthrough in James Gunn's irreverent DC entry The Suicide Squad, starring as the bizarrely-named "Ratcatcher 2". Since 2021, she has appeared in a number of other major releases, like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Fast X, and Marlowe.

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Character: Replacing Kelly Lynch's role from the original movie, Ellie is a doctor who first encounters Dalton after an altercation at the roadhouse. Despite the age gap, she serves as Dalton's primary love interest – though she is generally disapproving of his violent methods, especially as the action escalates. She is also far from naive, warning Dalton about he danger he is in as he begins to oppose Brandt and his goons.

Conor McGregor as Knox

Conor McGregor is 35 Years Old

Actor: One of the most recognizable sportspeople on the planet, Road House marks Conor McGregor's acting debut. However, considering his career in UFC, it's unsurprising that the Irishman has taken to performance so naturally. Nicknamed "The Notorious", theatricality was one of McGregor's trademarks as a fighter. While his behavior often courted controversy, it in many ways provided the perfect audition tape for his role as Knox.

Notable Movies and TV Shows: Road House marks Conor McGregor's movie debut. He has previously featured in two UFC documentaries, as well as five EA Sports UFC games and Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare.

Character: Although he is perhaps Road House's most eye-catching villain, Knox is just a henchman. However, despite his relatively lowly status, he is one of the few characters who can go toe-to-toe with Dalton, and isn't afraid to get his hands dirty. As unpredictable as he is dangerous, Knox is shown to be a formidable presence throughout the movie, doing the bidding of Billy Magnussen's Brandt.

Jessica Williams as Frankie

Jessica Williams is 34 Years Old

Actor: After starting her career as a correspondent on Comedy Central's celebrated series The Daily Show, Los Angeles-born Williams has established herself as a successful movie and TV actress. Not only has she had a high-profile role in the Fantastic Beasts series, but Williams has also featured in hit comedy dramas like Booksmart and Shrinking. She is also the co-host and co-creator of the popular podcast 2 Dope Queens.

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Character: The owner of the central roadhouse bar, Frankie s Dalton out of fear about the future of her business. After increasingly antagonistic customers disturb law-abiding patrons, she realizes that she needs to fight fire with fire. Although she is in a dispute with Ben Brandt over her land, even she doesn't realize how far he will go.

Lukas Gage as Billy

Lukas Gage is 28 Years Old

Actor: An up-and-coming talent in Hollywood, San Deigo-born Lukas Gage is best known for his television, rather than movie performances. That said, he has an impressive pedigree in both mediums. Notable movies include critically acclaimed thrillers like Assassination Nation and How To Blow Up A Pipeline, while his TV credits feature The White Lotus, You, and Euphoria.

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Character: Despite already working at the roadhouse when Dalton arrives, Billy is quickly taken under the more experienced fighter's wing. Just as in the original movie, he forms part of a new crew of bouncers, coming to see Dalton as a mentor and father figure. After some training and coaching, he comes into his own as a fighter – proving to be an important ally in the fight against Brandt and Knox.

Billy Magnussen as Ben Brandt

Billy Magnussen is 38 Years Old

Actor: Having been active since 2009, Billy Magnussen has an impressive array of TV and movie credits to his name. Although his breakout came in the musical comedy Into The Woods, he has since diversified to cover a range of different genres. On the small screen, his projects include American Crime Story and Maniac, while his movie roles range from No Time To Die to The Many Saints of Newark, where he played a younger version of The Sopranos' Paulie Gaultieri.

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Character: While he may not be the most eye-catching villain thanks to Knox's bombastic presence, Ben Brandt is pulling the strings behind the scenes in Road House. A property mogul determined to take Frankie's land for a project he's working on, he enlists Knox and other bad actors to run her out of business. This sets him on a collision course with Dalton – despite his best efforts to scare him off.

Road House ing Cast & Characters

Arturo Castro as Moe: Despite working for Brandt in attempting to disrupt the roadhouse, Moe can't help but ire Dalton. He's played by Arturo Castro, whose previous credits include The Menu and Broad City.

Joaquim de Almeida as the Sheriff: As Sheriff, Almeida's character is ostensibly supposed to be upholding the law around the roadhouse. However, it's soon clear that he's failing fairly spectacularly. Almeida himself has history in the action genre, previously featuring in Desperado, Clear and Present Danger, and Behind Enemy Lines.

B.K. Canon as Laura: One of the workers at the roadhouse who is notably impressed by Dalton's skills. Before Road House, Canon previously appeared in TV series such as Why Women Kill and The Politician.