A pilot transports an Air Marshal accompanying a fugitive to trial. As they cross the Alaskan wilderness, tensions soar and trust is tested, as not everyone on board is who they seem.A pilot transports an Air Marshal accompanying a fugitive to trial. As they cross the Alaskan wilderness, tensions soar and trust is tested, as not everyone on board is who they seem.A pilot transports an Air Marshal accompanying a fugitive to trial. As they cross the Alaskan wilderness, tensions soar and trust is tested, as not everyone on board is who they seem.
Eilise Patton
- Janine
- (as Eilise Guilfoyle)
Mark Schotz
- Rescue Worker #2
- (as Mark 'Cowboy' Schotz)
Georgi S. Georgiev
- Jeff (State Trooper #2)
- (uncredited)
Atanas Srebrev
- State Trooper #1
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Summary
Reviewers say 'Flight Risk' offers mixed reactions, highlighting strong performances by Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Dockery, and Topher Grace. The confined plane setting is intriguing yet criticized for predictability and lack of depth. Common complaints include weak dialogue, unrealistic plot points, and clichés. Some appreciate the humor and tension, while others find it fails as a thriller. Mel Gibson's direction receives mixed reviews, seen as a decline from his earlier works. Overall, 'Flight Risk' is entertaining but flawed, not fully leveraging its potential.
Featured reviews
How can you rate this movie a 10/10? It's not even close to being Saving Private Ryan, Schindlers List, A Beautiful Life, Shawnshank Redemption, Gladiator, etc. Those movies aren't even rated 10/10. The acting and storyline was mediocre at best. After seeing this in theatres I thought it was a waste of money and should've just been released to Netflix directly. Don't get me wrong I'm a fan of Mel Gibson, Topher Grace, and Mark Wahlberg. Felt like it was a low budget movie. There were areas that were entertaining. However, I felt like this movie was lacking depth. Do yourself a favor and wait to watch this movie whenever it comes out on your favorite streaming service.
Flight Risk is Mel Gibson's latest film (a thriller/action piece) and stars Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Dockery, and Topher Grace. It made my list of most anticipated for the year, and much like my experience with Wolf Man, I enjoyed this film for what it was. Simple plot, decent acting and action, and not anything that wears out its welcome. While there are some nitpicks I had about various moments that didn't feel quite so solid, the film as a whole was enjoyable enough that I wasn't pissed or disappointed. As I've mentioned before, I consider that a win these days. Video review is on my YouTube channel.
It's not a high concept movie by any stretch. But, it is an entertaining flick. And, it's the first time Wahlberg has played an actual bad guy since 1996's Fear. And not to give anything away, but damn, his character gets taken to task to say the least.
Topher Grace is...Topher Grace in this movie. His character really could've been played by any number of actors. The same could be said for the actress who played the FBI agent. But in reality, none of the characters actually required in depth character study or to be standout. It was just a matter of getting actors to sign onto the film who could competently pull off the scenes.
So again, it's a decent film overall. I don't think anyone will walk out feeling disappointed or angry about spending their time or money watching it. And as run of the mill as it is, it's still better than what's being nominated for an Academy award this year.
Topher Grace is...Topher Grace in this movie. His character really could've been played by any number of actors. The same could be said for the actress who played the FBI agent. But in reality, none of the characters actually required in depth character study or to be standout. It was just a matter of getting actors to sign onto the film who could competently pull off the scenes.
So again, it's a decent film overall. I don't think anyone will walk out feeling disappointed or angry about spending their time or money watching it. And as run of the mill as it is, it's still better than what's being nominated for an Academy award this year.
I like the actors so I really thought this would be a good film, but it just wasn't!
It became obvious very quickly that all was not what it seemed and then the generic lines started. It's almost as if you can see the actors waiting for each other to say their lines which is so strange when they are all seasoned pros.
There was some incredibly frustrating action scenes and some parts that were just annoying. Like in a horror movie when then run upstairs, I spent most of the time wondering why they didn't just kill the bad person.
I'm not sure if this was a lockdown film but let's face it most of those were rubbish and if this wasnt then the only reason it's a bad film must be because of the director and script.
It became obvious very quickly that all was not what it seemed and then the generic lines started. It's almost as if you can see the actors waiting for each other to say their lines which is so strange when they are all seasoned pros.
There was some incredibly frustrating action scenes and some parts that were just annoying. Like in a horror movie when then run upstairs, I spent most of the time wondering why they didn't just kill the bad person.
I'm not sure if this was a lockdown film but let's face it most of those were rubbish and if this wasnt then the only reason it's a bad film must be because of the director and script.
I left the theaters about 25-30 mins ago and wrote this review
The movie isn't as bad as many critics say. I think Wahlberg does a fine job, as smooth and natural on-screen as he always is; and I like the lead actress who plays Agent Harris. The movie essentially takes place in one location (the plane), which might sound dull; but the pacing is well-done. I got reminded of movies like Panic Room and Phone Booth. In between the dueling with Wahlberg's character, the lead actress talks via satellite phone / radio with the US Marshall's office as well as a pilot who guides her: those parts are actually entertaining too. The radio-pilot (named Hasaan) has some charming lines, and the plot thread with the US Marshal's office adds another layer of suspense
That said -- it's still a very flawed movie. The premise requires large suspension of belief, and the plot follows a safe and predictable route that we've seen hundreds of times. All of the twists in this movie are poor; we can see those twists coming from a mile away. And while I like Walhberg and Dockery in their roles, I think that Topher Grace (the informant character) is not good. He displays some very poor acting at times. His character also inserts far too many comedic lines and moments, which broke up the tone. The movie involves two people trapped in a decrepit plane, surrounded by the desolate and harsh Alaskan mountains, with no pilot to steer the plane; yet somehow, the film atmospherically fails to convey the sense of dread and horror that you'd expect
And lastly - Wahlberg sports a balding hairstyle to make his character look creepier, I guess. But I thought this detail was poorly done. As soon as his character's toupee falls off, we actually can see that Wahlberg has a perfect hairline; he merely shaved the top of his head. The filmakers should have used some cosmetics to cover his hairline and make his look more realistic
5.5/10.
The movie isn't as bad as many critics say. I think Wahlberg does a fine job, as smooth and natural on-screen as he always is; and I like the lead actress who plays Agent Harris. The movie essentially takes place in one location (the plane), which might sound dull; but the pacing is well-done. I got reminded of movies like Panic Room and Phone Booth. In between the dueling with Wahlberg's character, the lead actress talks via satellite phone / radio with the US Marshall's office as well as a pilot who guides her: those parts are actually entertaining too. The radio-pilot (named Hasaan) has some charming lines, and the plot thread with the US Marshal's office adds another layer of suspense
That said -- it's still a very flawed movie. The premise requires large suspension of belief, and the plot follows a safe and predictable route that we've seen hundreds of times. All of the twists in this movie are poor; we can see those twists coming from a mile away. And while I like Walhberg and Dockery in their roles, I think that Topher Grace (the informant character) is not good. He displays some very poor acting at times. His character also inserts far too many comedic lines and moments, which broke up the tone. The movie involves two people trapped in a decrepit plane, surrounded by the desolate and harsh Alaskan mountains, with no pilot to steer the plane; yet somehow, the film atmospherically fails to convey the sense of dread and horror that you'd expect
And lastly - Wahlberg sports a balding hairstyle to make his character look creepier, I guess. But I thought this detail was poorly done. As soon as his character's toupee falls off, we actually can see that Wahlberg has a perfect hairline; he merely shaved the top of his head. The filmakers should have used some cosmetics to cover his hairline and make his look more realistic
5.5/10.
Did you know
- TriviaThe production was shot in 22 days and Mel Gibson himself expressed he was surprised when the final running time clocked in at merely 91 minutes, making this his shortest-directed film.
- GoofsMadalyn and Winston while arguing with Daryl, are suddenly alerted to the presence of mountain tops, then while trying to pull up, smash through a snow bank between two peaks. There is absolutely no way that plane would have survived that impact without a scratch.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Film Junk Podcast: Episode 981: Flight Risk (2025)
- SoundtracksWho Was That
Performed by Bobby Rush & Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Written by Bobby Rush & Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Courtesy of KWS Music Inc. and Rushup Productions Inc.
- How long is Flight Risk?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $25,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $29,783,527
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $11,583,488
- Jan 26, 2025
- Gross worldwide
- $48,701,987
- Runtime
- 1h 31m(91 min)
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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