Some call it ‘so bad, it’s good’. We’d argue, however, that there’s a lot to love about the action flick.

Our TV movie pick for tonight (Friday, 6 June) is the ’80s action classic Road House starring Patrick Swayze (Ghost, Point Break).

The film revolves around the Double Deuce – the meanest, loudest and rowdiest bar in Missouri.

To stop the violence, the mysterious Dalton (Swayze), a PhD-educated bouncer, is hired to clean it up.

As Dalton turfs out the establishment’s troublemakers every night, the Double Deuce quickly becomes a jumping hot spot.

“But Dalton’s romance with local Dr. Clay (Kelly Lynch) puts him on the bad side of cutthroat local big shot Brad Wesley (Ben Gazzara),” the plot synopsis adds.

Road House is one of those movies that is often described as “so bad, it’s good”, partly on account of it being set in an odd world where bouncers are treated like wandering ronin.

That said, we’d argue it’s immensely watchable thanks to Swayze’s strangely soulful lead turn, some fun supporting performances (including a gruff Sam Elliot as Dalton’s bouncer mentor), the film’s gorgeous cinematography by Dean Cundey (Back to the Future trilogy, Jurassic Park) and its rocking soundtrack.

Last year, the action flick spawned a remake starring Jake Gyllenhaal, which is due to get a Guy Ritchie-directed sequel.

The original Road House is airing on TV tonight on BBC One at 11.25pm. It’s also available to rent on Apple TV, Prime Video and the Sky Store.

Here are the other movies airing on TV tonight:

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum – Film4 – 9pm

With the new John Wick movie, Ballerina, in cinemas now, what better time to revisit this earlier entry in the action franchise?

Behind Enemy Lines – Legend – 9pm

Owen Wilson and Gene Hackman star in this action war film about an American naval flight officer who is shot down during the Bosnian War.

American Pie – Channel 4 – 9pm

The first entry in the raunchy comedy franchise.

Memoirs of an Invisible Man – Legend Xtra – 9pm

Director John Carpenter’s fun ’90s sci-fi comedy about a man (Chevy Chase) who is turned invisible in a work explosion and is then hunted down by a CIA operative (Sam Neill).

A Man Called Otto – RTÉ One – 9.35pm

Tom Hanks headlines this comedy drama about a cranky, lonely old man who has his life turned upside down by the arrival of a new family next door.

Lone Star – TG4 – 10pm

A ’50s Western starring Clark Gable and Ava Gardner.

Top Gun – RTÉ2 – 10.20pm

“I feel the need, the need for speed!”

Commandos – Legend Xtra – 11pm

A ’60s Italian war action film starring Lee Van Cleef (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly) and co-written by Dario Argento (Suspiria).

Backdraft – Legend – 11.05pm

Directed by Ron Howard (Rush), this ’90s thriller, said to be getting a remake soon, follows two firefighter brothers (Kurt Russell and William Baldwin) who end up tangled in the web of a serial arsonist.

All is True – BBC Two – 11.30pm

Kenneth Branagh directs and stars in this 2018 historical drama in which he plays William Shakespeare.

Smile – Film4 – 11.35pm

The excellent smash-hit 2022 horror about scary smiley people.

The Bachelor – RTÉ One – 11.55pm

This 1999 romantic comedy-drama starring Chris O’Donnell and Renée Zellweger has a lowly 8% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!