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Road House (1989 film)

Road House is a 1989 American action film directed by Rowdy Herrington and starring Patrick Swayze, Kelly Lynch, Sam Elliott, and Ben Gazzara.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Road House is a 1989 American action film directed by Rowdy Herrington and starring Patrick Swayze, Kelly Lynch, Sam Elliott, and Ben Gazzara. The film follows professional bouncer James Dalton, who is hired to clean up a violent roadside bar in the small town of Jasper, Missouri, and becomes entangled with a powerful local businessman. Despite mixed initial reception, the film later developed a cult following.

Plot

The film follows Dalton as he is brought in to tame the violent Double Deuce bar. His efforts draw him into a conflict with Brad Wesley, a corrupt local power broker, while he develops a relationship with Dr. Clay.

Cast

The film’s principal cast includes Patrick Swayze as James Dalton, Kelly Lynch as Dr. Elizabeth Clay, Sam Elliott as Wade Garrett, and Ben Gazzara as Brad Wesley. Supporting roles feature Marshall R. Teague, Julie Michaels, Red West, Jeff Healey, and Kevin Tighe.

Production and filming

Road House was directed by Rowdy Herrington from a screenplay credited to David Lee Henry and Hilary Henkin. Search results identify the film as an American production, but do not provide filming locations.

Reception and legacy

Although not a major critical success on release, the film later developed a cult following. It has remained notable in popular culture for its action scenes, quotable lines, and Swayze’s performance.

Key facts

  • Patrick Swayze stars as James Dalton, a professional bouncer hired to restore order at the Double Deuce bar.
  • The story is set in the small town of Jasper, Missouri, where Dalton conflicts with local businessman Brad Wesley.
  • The cast includes Kelly Lynch as Dr. Elizabeth Clay, Sam Elliott as Wade Garrett, and Ben Gazzara as Brad Wesley.
  • Road House was released in 1989 and is widely described as an action film with thriller elements.
  • It later gained a cult reputation despite mixed initial reception.
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Canadian context

Road House has long been part of North American popular-culture viewing, including in Canada, where it is often discussed as a cult action film and as part of Patrick Swayze’s film legacy.

Frequently asked questions

Who starred in Road House?
The film starred Patrick Swayze, Kelly Lynch, Sam Elliott, and Ben Gazzara. Patrick Swayze played James Dalton.
What is Road House about?
It is about professional bouncer James Dalton, who is hired to clean up a violent roadside bar and ends up confronting a powerful local businessman in Jasper, Missouri.
Where was Road House filmed?
The provided search results do not specify the filming locations.
What happened to Patrick Swayze?
Patrick Swayze died on September 14, 2009, at age 57. Public reporting identifies pancreatic cancer as the cause of death.
Is there a Road House remake?
Yes. A Road House remake was released in 2024, starring Jake Gyllenhaal.
Is Road House a cult film?
Yes. It is commonly described as having developed a cult following after its release.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_House_(1989_film)
    Supports: Release year, director, main cast, plot summary, and general film identification.
  2. Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1017666-road_house/cast-and-crew
    Supports: Cast, release date, and brief plot description.
  3. YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpmWANitAcg
    Supports: Summary of the film and mention of Patrick Swayze's death in the video's narration.
  4. IMDb data mirrorhttps://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~vaibhavvyas/cs784/IMDB_data/html_data/tt0098206.html
    Supports: Cult-film characterization and basic film metadata.