Flight Risk (2025)

Introduction

Directed by Mel Gibson, Flight Risk is a compact yet intense action-thriller set almost entirely aboard a small prop plane navigating the treacherous Alaskan wilderness. The film builds on familiar hostage-on-a-plane tropes, infused with moments of dark humor, surprising violence, and a claustrophobic atmosphere.

Plot Overview

U.S. Deputy Marshal Madolyn Harris (Michelle Dockery) is tasked with escorting Winston (Topher Grace), a mob accountant turned informant, from remote Alaska to testify in court. Their only option? A rickety commuter plane piloted by the overly cheerful Daryl Booth (Mark Wahlberg). But soon, the stakes skyrocket: Booth isn’t who he says he is—he’s a hitman sent by the mob to silence Winston mid-flight. The trio must navigate mid-air confrontations, a desperate struggle to land, and a deadly conspiracy that reaches far beyond their small aircraft.

Cast & Performances

• Michelle Dockery anchors the film with calm resilience as the determined but grounded Deputy Marshal.

• Mark Wahlberg steals attention as the unhinged pilot-assassin, embracing a darkly humorous, offbeat villain.

• Topher Grace adds nervous wit and tension as the slippery informant caught in the crossfire.

Direction & Tone

Gibson steers this story toward a gritty, character-driven edge, echoing classic thriller structures while emphasizing psychological breakdowns and unexpected humor. Though brief at 91 minutes, the film delivers condensed tension and contained drama, though it occasionally stumbles with pacing and script coherence.

Reception & Critique

Early responses are mixed:

• Critics point to strong performances—Wahlberg in particular—but cite weak dialogue, predictable plotting, and uneven narrative flow as detriments. 

• Some reviewers praise the film as a "tight" chamber piece with white-knuckle tension and clever moments; others are less forgiving.

• Audience sentiment is equally polarized, described as a ride that’s “fun in a so-bad-it’s-good way” but often falls flat.

Box Office & Streaming

Produced on a modest $25 million budget, Flight Risk earned around $48 million globally and debuted in the U.S. and U.K. on January 24, 2025, via Lionsgate. Results were considered underwhelming, reflecting the film’s sharp tone and January release slot.

Final Verdict

Flight Risk brings familiar thriller scenarios back into solo-flight mode, mixed with oddball character moments and Gibson’s signature grim flair. It works best as a compact, intense ride—but uneven writing and tonal inconsistencies keep it from taking flight. Fans of enclosed-set thrillers may appreciate its lean, leaner structure—and a bald Wahlberg performance that’s either unsettling or unintentionally comedic.