Flight Risk

My biggest surprise watching Flight Risk came as the end credits rolled and I saw: “Directed by Mel Gibson.” (For context, I usually know who directed a movie before watching, but this was a rare exception.) Gibson, both as an actor and director, has never been known for holding back. His previous films, Braveheart, Apocalypto, The Passion of the Christ, Hacksaw Ridge, all carried a certain weight, authenticity, and meticulous craftsmanship. None of that can be found here. Instead, Flight Risk is an awkward, wasted opportunity that feels more like the work of a first-time director.

The movie centers on Deputy U.S. Marshal Madelyn Harris (Michelle Dockery), who’s given a second chance after being demoted from field duty. She’s assigned to escort an informant (Topher Grace) on a private jet piloted by Daryl Booth (Mark Wahlberg) across the Alaskan wilderness. Naturally, things don’t go smoothly. While I won’t spoil anything, if you’ve seen the trailer, you probably already know exactly what happens.

The premise itself is solid, a throwback to the mid-budget thrillers that once dominated January releases. And for a while, it works. The setup is efficient enough (despite a terrible first five minutes), and once the characters board the plane, Gibson cleverly drops hints that something isn’t right. But the film takes a nosedive (literally) after the big revelation. Suddenly, it collapses into B-level dialogue, laughably bad CGI, and a complete loss of suspense, making for a long and awkward flight.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with a film that doesn’t take itself too seriously, especially one released in January. The problem is that Gibson doesn’t seem to know how to make a simple, fun movie. As a result, Flight Risk constantly veers between absurdly silly moments and heavy-handed monologues, creating a tonal clash that extends into the performances.

Topher Grace is the only one who seems to understand the tone (even if he’s played this kind of pathetic character too many times before). Dockery, on the other hand, plays everything with complete seriousness, delivering emotional backstory moments like she’s trying for an Oscar. It’s not a bad performance in isolation, she fully commits, but it feels completely out of place. Especially when contrasted with Mark Wahlberg, who is practically in a comedy version of the movie (and, by far, its most memorable aspect). With his bizarrely comical look, exaggerated mannerisms, and unpredictable energy, he fully leans into the B-movie chaos. He steals every scene he’s in. Unfortunately, the script doesn’t give him nearly enough to do, instead focusing on Dockery, Grace, and some cringeworthy radio interactions that range from unintentionally funny to just plain bad. I kept wishing the film had embraced Wahlberg’s energy and followed the tone of his performance.

Instead, Gibson appears to have no control over him, simply letting him run wild. The result? Nothing works. The suspenseful moments provoke unintentional laughs. For a film set almost entirely on a plane, it fails to create even a hint of claustrophobia or tension. The pacing is disastrous, once the first major conflict is resolved, the film stalls and takes far too long to introduce new stakes. It had the potential to build up to an unhinged, over-the-top final act, but it never comes close. Even at just 90 minutes, it still feels sluggish and aimless.

I kept wishing Flight Risk had been directed by someone willing to embrace its ridiculous side fully. Instead, it suffocates any fun, shoving it into the backseat in favor of failed attempts at being a serious, suspenseful thriller, without delivering anything remotely suspenseful. Wahlberg is the only saving grace, and whenever he’s on screen, the movie becomes watchable. But in the end, it’s still a poorly directed misfire that I can’t believe has Mel Gibson’s name on it.

At a glance

1.5/5

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