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
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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
10/10 really?
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.
Straightforward but effective genre fare
An enticing, crisp set-up sees corrupt accountant Topher Grace arrested while holed up in Alaska. Willing to testify for the prosecution in order to reduce his sentence, he is being flown to Anchorage in a small airplane with the U. S. Marshal who apprehended him (Michelle Dockery) and their talkative, eccentric pilot (Mark Wahlberg). Flight Risk is without question director Mel Gibson's most straightforward genre fare - a thriller that willingly sacrifices logic and the laws of physics in order to drive its breakneck plot forward and keep the adrenaline level high. Still, it's hard to fault the effectiveness of its tricks: The film offers tight suspense and mostly good fun for an hour and a half. And although its forays into comedy may not always hit home, the performances by Dockery and Grace somewhat surprisingly have both heart and depth. In reality, this is their show, not Wahlberg's.
No expectation, very entertaining
I enjoyed everything about this movie and the tension was well maintained, right to the very end.
It may have been confusing in some parts but I later realised that it created frantic scenarios in a tiny plane space which I feel was masterfully done.
I had no expectation and knew nothing about the story line and watched it for what it is - very entertaining, a great thriller with a good pace.
I had no idea it was directed by Mel Gibson - I think he did a great job. We need more stories like this, quick to the point and honest about what it is without unnecessary details that hinder the tension. Every time you start to feel at ease and think things are finally in control something will happen to unsettle you.
It may have been confusing in some parts but I later realised that it created frantic scenarios in a tiny plane space which I feel was masterfully done.
I had no expectation and knew nothing about the story line and watched it for what it is - very entertaining, a great thriller with a good pace.
I had no idea it was directed by Mel Gibson - I think he did a great job. We need more stories like this, quick to the point and honest about what it is without unnecessary details that hinder the tension. Every time you start to feel at ease and think things are finally in control something will happen to unsettle you.
Decent Tense Little Film
I wasn't even going to go see this film after seeing the preview. It just looked so standard in the ad, and I felt it gave away too much of the story. Then I noticed it was directed by Mel. So, I thought why not, I've seen everything else he's directed. So I used my points to go see it, and I must say. I think it definitely is a little better than how it comes across in the ad. The filmmaking is definitely solid. The film creates some fairly tense moments, even though it's one of those films where you sort of have an idea as to how it will likely end. It is a fairly straightforward and simple film for sure. However it is well made, and the script is definitely not as unintelligently written as most Hollywood films these days. The dialogue is perhaps a little harsh for some, but that actually also helps this film build the decent amount of tension that it needs to work reasonably well. I definitely don't regret going to see it on the big screen. For many people, this will be worth a watch for sure.
I think Mel may have taken this project in order to help fund his own passion projects, and why not? They definitely made a decent little film out of this in my view. In fact, I'd say it's a fairly good date movie if you all can handle some creepy dialogue and a little bit of gore.
What is also refreshing about this script, is that even though a female has a major role in the film. The script doesn't enter into any of these overly naive and ridiculous political narratives that so many other Hollywood films these days do. If I see another one of those films, I'm going to be sick right in the theatre. So look out people.
6.5/10.
I think Mel may have taken this project in order to help fund his own passion projects, and why not? They definitely made a decent little film out of this in my view. In fact, I'd say it's a fairly good date movie if you all can handle some creepy dialogue and a little bit of gore.
What is also refreshing about this script, is that even though a female has a major role in the film. The script doesn't enter into any of these overly naive and ridiculous political narratives that so many other Hollywood films these days do. If I see another one of those films, I'm going to be sick right in the theatre. So look out people.
6.5/10.
Better than The Wolfman and Nosferatu
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.
Soundtrack
Preview the soundtrack here and continue listening on Amazon Music.
Did you know
- TriviaMark Wahlberg really shaved his head for his role in this movie. He did not want to use a bald cap.
- GoofsMadolyn 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 The Joe Rogan Experience: Mel Gibson (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.
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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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