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
Mel Gibson must think his target audience for flight risk is five years old. Now I like movies where you just turn your brain off and enjoy the ridiculousness but this was just sad. So many stupid incorrect and just absurd aviation moments. The fact that the agent lady had Wahlberg's character restrained twice and he got away twice. I mean she had all the handcuffs and zip ties she could ever want and still couldn't tie him securely. I liked Topher's character I think he was entertaining. Mark Wahlbergs bald cap makeup job was so poorly done I couldn't even pay attention to the movie when he was on screen. This movie could have been a solid entertaining flick but its like it was made by a 5 year old and nobody corrected their errors. I mean why not spend a few bucks and hire an aviation consultant so at least you won't look so dumb Mel?? If they would have corrected all the absurd aviation things it would have been much better. So I ask the most important question...Was I entertained? No, I was too busy screaming at the screen.
With the boss of the "Moretti" crime family about to go on trial, his accountant "Winston" (Topher Grace) thought it better to skedaddle to the Alaskan wilderness. Unluckily for him, determined deputy marshal "Madolyn" (Michelle Dockery) tracks him down and engages the pilot of a single-prop aircraft to fly him back to New York to turn state's evidence. The pilot (Mark Wahlberg) is one of those annoyingly chirpy guys and off they set. It's gonna be a bumpy ride, but after she notices a few scars on this man, it proves to be a great deal bumpier as their tiny little cockpit becomes the scene for quite a power struggle. It's that claustrophobic environment and quite an engaging effort from Wahlberg that deliver here as this airborne game of cat and mouse hots up. Sure, it does repeat itself once too often and the story is really all quite predictably weak, but the scenario does work well enough and with Grace's wise-cracking and a competent performance from Dockery it's actually not a bad watch for ninety minutes.
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.
Im sick of movies with super aliens, monsters, villains, end of the world kind of thing. We need to remenber there are evil in the real world, and people trying to fight the evil. Im sick of the people remaking and stealing from great classics thinking bigger is better, totally sick of it. Not to mentioned the overpowered Mary Sues in every female lead role. Love the female lead in this movie, strong woman, with flaws like a normal person.
This is a great movie, simple but honest, great casting, simple but very smart, and very entertaining you don´t need your brain to watch it but is not a child´s tale disguised as something more deep. Honest work, deserves honest reviews.
This is a great movie, simple but honest, great casting, simple but very smart, and very entertaining you don´t need your brain to watch it but is not a child´s tale disguised as something more deep. Honest work, deserves honest reviews.
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.
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.
- GoofsDuring the plane flight, they have to communicate via the headsets as they can't hear each other over the noise of the engines. After the first fight, they stop using headsets and can hear each other talking perfectly fine.
The headsets are necessary to communicate with the ground via radio, and they cancel out outside noise. However, they're not necessary to communicate inside the airplane.
- 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
- Runtime1 hour 31 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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