This. Was. A. Dud.
Look, I love going to the theater, and since it’s January—a notoriously slow month for new releases—I gave Flight Risk a shot. But honestly? If I had been watching at home, I would have shut it off after 30 minutes, per the HTM formula for success.
Let’s start with what works.
Mark Wahlberg’s character, Daryl Booth, is easily the film’s strongest asset. He exudes small-town charm and an over-the-top chattiness that’s both entertaining and unsettling. It’s as if he’s constantly trying to win a game of charming others into believing he’s someone he’s not—which, of course, is exactly his goal. Wahlberg brings his A-game, and credit to Mel Gibson for directing him to lean so heavily into this trait.
Another bright spot? Topher Grace as Winston. A nervous wreck who just can’t stop talking—even when his life is on the line. The writing for his character is surprisingly well done, and Grace delivers with a performance that adds much-needed energy to the film.
The story, at its core, has so much potential—three people trapped in a single-prop plane flying over a barren, frigid wasteland: an FBI agent, an assassin, and a snitch. And with a cast that’s actually pretty solid, you’d expect a high-stakes thriller.
But here’s where things fall apart.
Considering Mel Gibson’s pedigree as a director—with standouts like Hacksaw Ridge, Apocalypto, and the ever-classic Braveheart—this film feels like it was helmed by someone entirely different. The direction lacks focus, tension, and that signature intensity we’ve come to expect from Gibson’s work.
The action feels unbelievable in several moments (taser scene, anyone?), the pacing outside the plane is rushed, and while the comic relief is funny, it often feels disjointed from the story rather than seamlessly woven in. These issues add up, making the film feel uneven and lacking the grip it should have had.
My hope?
That Flight Risk is simply Gibson’s way of “cracking his knuckles” before diving into his upcoming projects. He has several films lined up, and if this is the new standard, it’s going to be a huge disappointment.
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