The new remake of the 1989 film Road House is currently the talk of the town for all the right reasons. Unlike its original version, this movie is getting positive reviews, which is to be credited to the cast’s impressive performances.
The Road House would fall under the textbook definition of an action thriller, which takes on a modernised approach in following the life of a former UFC fighter, Dalton, who is in charge of a roadhouse in the Florida Keys. Based on his experience as a fighter, he teaches his colleagues how to fend for themselves while deflecting the interests of the sinister Ben Brandt and his psychotic accomplice Knox.
The remake features Jake Gyllenhaal playing the role of Dalton, which Patrick Swayze played in the 1989 film. The movie draws inspiration from various conventions and tropes in the West. It is a worthy watch because it is a better-updated version of the original 80s cult classic with replacement characters and new characters backed by exceptional chemistry between the cast of debutants and A-listers.
The movie has currently available to watch on Prime Video since March 21st, and while we will not ruin the plot for you by giving you spoilers, you could read the article below to know more about the characters in the movie and the cast playing these roles.
The Cast and Characters of Road House
The Road House features a dynamic cast that helps breathe life into the iconic characters. Let’s delve into the ensemble cast that promises talent on this thrilling and suspenseful journey or remaking the original classic.
Elwood Dalton, played by Jake Gyllenhaal
Jake Gyllenhaal is an Oscar-nominated actor with an incredible range of roles and performances in Hollywood at the moment and the most famous actor part of this movie. He has also been featured in various other celebrated action thrillers, and his recent success in projects such as Spider-man: Far from Home, Ambulance and Southpaw made him the best choice for the reinterpretation of the character of Dalton.
The character of Elwood embodies a perfect blend of menace and charm and emerges as a mysterious guardian in the roadhouse. Breaking away from the original portrayal of the character, the remakes delve into Dalton’s past and unveil him as a UFC combatant. The character of Elwood Dalton is intriguing with his sharp wit, which leads to some memorable scenes of spirited verbal banter with his rivals before the physical confrontation can occur.
Ellie played Daniela Melchoir
Currently, in the process of establishing herself as an upcoming actor in Hollywood, Daniela Melchoir is a Portuguese-born actor with an impressive range of roles in several high-profile projects such as The Suicide Squad, Fast X, Malowe and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3.
Ellie is a doctor who replaces the role of Keely Lynch’s character from the original movie and is primarily the love interest of Dalton’s character despite the age gap. Ellie encounters Dalton for the first time after an altercation at the roadhouse. The character is generally disproving of the violent ways of Dalton, with a few past struggles of her own. She is a graceful and independent woman who carries herself with determination.
Billy, played by Lucas Gage
Lucas Gage is another cast member currently one of the upcoming stars in Hollywood with notable performances in both television and movies. He has been a part of quite a number of critically acclaimed thrillers, including The White Lotus, Euphoria, You, Assassination Nation and How to Burst a Pipeline.
Billy is one of the employees at the roadhouse whose job is to serve drinks. He is taken under the wing by Dalton, who views him as a father figure and mentor. After he trains to become a fighter, Billy is an important ally to Dalton in his fight with Brandt and Knox.
Knox, played by Connor McGregor
Roadhouse is the acting debut of Connor McGregor, who is one of the most famous sportspeople around the world. He has previously been featured in two UFC documentaries and was nicknamed “The Notorious,” which has helped him portray his role naturally in the Roadhouse.
Knox is a henchman and, surprisingly, one of the most eye-catching villains. He is a volatile and unpredictable character with a menacing aura. His character is a force to be reckoned with, and he has a twisted sense of loyalty towards Ben Brandt. Knox is a formidable opponent to Dalton, who isn’t afraid of fighting dirty.
Frankie, played by Jessica Williams
Jessica Williams first appeared as a correspondent on a celebrated series called The Daily Show on Comedy Central. Ever since then, she has managed to make her mark and establish herself not only as a TV actress but also as a movie star. Her notable appearances include a role in Fantastic Beasts, Booksmart and Shrinking.
Frankie is the owner of the Roadhouse bar who seeks Daltons’ assistance after facing escalating violence, jeopardising her business. She also has an ongoing land dispute with Ben Brandt, which further adds tension to the plot and her interaction with the characters of Dalton and Ben.
Ben Brandt, played by Billy Magnussen
Billy Magnussen has a magnetic on-screen presence, with a career that portrays his versatility and range of roles not only in the comedy genre but also in the drama genre. He is currently one of Hollywood’s most promising stars, with a portfolio that includes roles in the American Crime Story, No Time to Die, and Maniac.
Ben Brandt is a property mogul who exudes an aura of brutality and sheer power. He is the antagonist of the movie and poses a huge threat to the characters of Dalton and Frankie. Ben is determined to take over Frankie’s land to make his project and run her out of business.
Other Supporting Characters
Sam, played by Darren Barnet
Darren Barnet rose to famed for his portrayal of Paxton Hall Yoshida in the Netflix series Never Have I Ever. He has also starred in movies such as Anyone but You and Love Hard.
The character of Sam is a pivotal one who is a confidant of Dalton and serves as a voice of reason in all the chaos at the roadhouse and as well as a source of great support to Dalton. He offers great advice and guidance to all the other characters and maintains a sense of grounding in the plot.
Carter, played by Post Malone
Post Malone is a well-known singer and rapper who rose to fame in 2018 because of his album Beerbongs and Bentley. He has also been involved in projects such as Into the Spider-Verse, Wrath of Man, and Spenser Confidential.
The character of Carter is a mysterious one with a gruff exterior, with the secrets of his past slowly unravelling throughout the movie. He also possesses a hidden kindness and an unwavering sense of loyalty for his friends. The character of Carter plays an essential role in the movie because his actions help shape the storyline and have a huge impact on the fate of the characters around him.
Bottom Line
The Road House remake has the perfect and unique blend of a charismatic lead in Dalton, played to perfection by Jake Gyllenhaal and an equally enigmatic villain played by Brandt and Connor McGregor. It is a great mix of intensity, depth and charm, with the cast embodying the original movie’s spirit and adding their fresh talent and energy.
You don’t have to be a die-hard fan of the original movie to watch the remake because this reimagined tale of action offers a great amount of drama and redemption, making it exciting to watch this weekend!
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