Are you in the mood for an absurd, over-the-top, action-filled crime drama with two of the hottest stars of Hollywood? Point Break should be on top of your list. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow and written by Peter Lliff, Point Break was released in America on July 10, 1991. The film stars Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves, Gary Busey, and Lorey Petty.
Named after the surfing term ‘point break,’ which refers to the part of the coastline where the waves hit land or rocks, Point Break follows an undercover FBI agent, Johnny Utah, played by Reeves, who develops a complex relationship with the leader of a group of bank robbers, known as the Ex-Presidents, that he is tasked with investigating.
The robbers are responsible for a string of bank robberies and are known for wearing the rubber masks of former US presidents- Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, Richard Nixon, and Lyndon B. Johnson. When an experienced FBI agent starts to believe that the robbers are most likely surfers, he persuades Utah to go undercover and infiltrate the surfing community.
Utah soon meets Bodhi, played by Patrick Swayze, and starts to suspect that he is the leader of the Ex-Presidents. Upon release, Point Break opened to positive critical and commercial response to the point where the film has gained a substantial cult following over the years. Many praised the film for the relationship between Swayze and Reeve’s characters.
Point Break Filming Locations
Point Break started production in 1990. Keanu Reeves, Patrick Swayze, and Lori Petty received surfing training under the tutelage of Dennis Jarvis, a former professional surfer, two months before filming. The film was shot all around America in places like Lake Powell, Utah; Wheeler and Ecola State Park, Oregon; Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Venice, Fox Hills Mall, and Santa Monica, in California.
Fun Fact: At the end of the movie, both Utah tracks down Bodhi in Australia at Bells Beach, Victoria. The scene was filmed in Oregon, the United States of America.
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Iconic Places Where Point Break Was Filmed
Lake Powell, Utah
Lake Powell, Utah, is the location of the film’s very iconic skydiving scene. This palm-sweating scene involves Bodhi pressuring Utah to go skydiving with the group after it can be assumed that Bodhi has uncovered Utah’s true identity. Lake Powell is a man-made reservoir on the Colorado River.
Ecola State Park, Cannon Beach, Oregon
At the end of the movie, after a long chase, Utah finally finds Bodhi at Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia. However, this scene was shot in the United States itself at Ecola State Park, Cannon Beach, Oregon.
Leo Carrillo State Beach, Malibu, California
Leo Carrillo State Beach in Malibu is the setting of one of the best action scenes in the film when Utah is ambushed by a group of local surfers after using the outdoor shower. This beach is best known for surfing, swimming, surf fishing, and beachcombing. The park is named after actor Leo Carrillo, who was known for his portrayal of Pancho in Cisco Kid.
Dockweiler State Beach, Los Angeles, California
Dockweiler State Beach, Los Angeles, is 288 acres of beach with restrooms, fire rings, picnic facilities, and showers. The beach is accessible to a beach bike path that visitors use for cycling, jogging, and skating. This extremely busy beach is also home to the western snowy plover, a protected shorebird.
Neptune’s Net, Malibu, California
Neptune’s Net in Malibu, California, is a real-life hangout spot for surfers and beachgoers along the Malibu. It has also been featured in movies like Iron Man 3 and The Fast and the Furious. Neptune’s Net is still in business, and ever since, Point Break has become a popular place for fans of the movie to come visit.
Fox Hills Mall, Culver City, California
Fox Hills Mall, now known as Westfield Culver City, is a shopping mall that opened in October 1975. It was the first ever 3-level mall in California. The parking lot of the mall was the setting of a cop chase scene.
Where to Watch Point Break Online?
Point Break was released on 10 July 1991. It was produced by Peter Abrams and Robert L. Levy and was distributed by 20th Century Fox. You can stream the movie on Netflix, Roku, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Tubi.
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