Flight Risk (2025)

Director: Mel Gibson
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Dockery, Topher Grace
Genre: Action Thriller / Chamber Drama
Runtime: 91 min
Release Date: Jan 24, 2025 (theatrical/VOD)

Deputy U.S. Marshal Madolyn Harris (Michelle Dockery) and informant Winston (Topher Grace) board a small plane in remote Alaska to testify against a mob boss. The pilot, Daryl (Mark Wahlberg), reveals himself as a hired killer mid-flight—their only hope is survival, with no escape but a rickety Cessna

• Mark Wahlberg’s Villainous Energy
  Wahlberg chews scenery with gleeful menace—his bald, grimacing performance adds pulpy flair to the tension, earning at least some viewer fascination 

• Classy, Compact Thriller Setup
  Filmed largely inside a plane, it employs chamber-drama techniques to maximize claustrophobia and sustained suspense—though execution varies 

• Michelle Dockery Anchors the Film
  Dockery holds the narrative together, offering the calm competence and resolve needed to balance Wahlberg’s unhinged presence

• Uneven Screenwriting and Tone
  Critics note the script leans on camp—prison-sex jokes, odd banter, and comedic beats undercutting tension. Dialogue is often clunky, forcing tonal whiplash 

• .Predictable Plot and Thin Logic

• The kidnapping plot and character actions come across as contrived—questionable decisions and flimsy logic make some beats feel unsatisfyingFlat Direction & CGI Limitations
  Gibson manages pacing but never builds the immersive thrill expected. Visuals—especially exterior shots—feel low-budget; the climax lacks impact 

• Rotten Tomatoes: 30% critics, 62% audience (Popcornmeter)

• Box Office: Debuted at No. 1 with ~$12M on modest earnings; CinemaScore of “C”

• Reviewer Highlights:

  • The Guardian praises Wahlberg’s enthusiastic turn but calls the film a “B-movie blast” 

  • RogerEbert.com calls it a “supremely bumpy ride” that fails to justify its premise 

  • US critics and Reddit users describe it as energetic but ultimately forgettable

Flight Risk lands unevenly. Its compact, high-concept setup and Wahlberg’s charismatic villain make for occasional thrills, but the inconsistent tone, weak script, and budget constraints keep it from taking off. Dockery ensures a sense of grounded tension, yet the lack of narrative depth and emotional resonance means this plane never truly soars.

Rating: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5)

• Fans of chamber thrillers and claustrophobic setups

• Viewers drawn to unorthodox villains in tight spaces

• Anyone curious about Mel Gibson's compact return to directing