Flight Risk is a brand new 2025 American action movie directed by Mel Gibson, marking his return to the director chair after nearly a decade. This new thriller features a notable cast, including Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Dockery, and Topher Grace. Released in theaters on January 24, 2025, the movie has gathered a range of reactions from both movie critics and audiences.
The narrative follows U.S Marshal Madolyn Harris (Michelle Dockery), as she escorts a fugitive named Winston (Topher Grace) aboard a small aircraft. As they travel through the Alaskan wilderness, the true identities and intentions of those on board come into question, leading to a tense and unpredictable journey. The screenplay of this film, penned by Jared Rosenberg, gained attention by securing a spot on the 2020 Black List, which highlights Hollywood’s most acclaimed unproduced scripts. Filming locations for this movie include Las Vegas, Mesquite, Nevada, and various sites in Alaska.
Mark Wahlberg portrays Daryl Booth, delivering a highly praised performance. Wendy Ide of The Guardian described Wahlberg’s portrayal as “enormous” and “pulpy fun,” though she noted the film’s scope and ambition were “limited” compared to Gibson’s earlier works. The film holds a disappointing 29% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with most reviews describing issues with the dialogue throughout the film. The movie was also only rated 5.3/10 stars on IMDb. The movie debuted at the top of the box office, earning more than $11 million in its opening weekend. However, its box office performance declined quickly, with the film dropping out of the top ten by the fourth week.
Mark Wahlberg ended up apologizing to his co-stars of “Flight Risk” because of his choice to isolate himself during filming. He told PEOPLE that he was so focused on his villainous character, that he barely interacted with the other actors. The New York Post commented that Wahlberg’s commitment to his role was “evident” because of his choice to distance himself from the rest of the cast for the duration of the shoot.
Flight Risk delivers a blend of action, suspense, and emotion. The plot keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. While the film’s action sequences are intense and exhilarating, it’s the overall themes of loyalty and sacrifice that complete the movie. Whether you’re a fan of Wahlberg’s past work or new to his roles, this film is a journey and perfect for anyone looking for a movie that is out of the ordinary.
