Award-winning actor Mel Gibson returned to the director’s chair with his latest film, Flight Risk.
Nine years after Hacksaw Ridge, Gibson delivers intense action in this high-octane thriller starring Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Dockery, and Topher Grace. Set against Alaska’s icy wilderness, the film offers a tense, gripping story.
Dockery plays Deputy Marshal Madolyn, assigned to transport mob accountant Winston (Grace). They board a Cessna plane piloted by a mysterious figure (Wahlberg), who claims to be “Daryl Booth.”
Daryl, a Southern-accented man with an over-the-top drawl, is revealed to be deceitful. He nearly harmed Madolyn, but the marshal was able to tase and subdue him.
As tensions rose and hidden agendas surfaced, the trio found themselves entangled in a deadly journey of deception and survival.
However, Daryl was the only one who knew how to operate the aircraft. Madolyn struggled to maintain control while Winston watched helplessly. Despite the impossibility of radio communication in the mountainous terrain, she eventually remembered having a satellite phone and managed to contact her superior, voiced by Leah Remini. The phone then connected her with a pilot, Hassan (Maaz Ali), who attempted to guide her through operating the aircraft while engaging in flirtatious banter.
As Madolyn tried to control the aircraft, she also attempted to identify the mole within her organization. During the trip, Daryl repeatedly broke free from his restraints, leading to intense confrontations throughout their journey.
Gibson’s direction in the film is characterized by its intensity, drawing inspiration from the vibes of classic action thrillers from the 1980s and 1990s. Wahlberg’s nuanced portrayal of the villainous pilot introduces a compelling twist to the narrative. Dockery and Grace also deliver outstanding performances as they fight for survival in the film.
While Flight Risk draws inspiration from classic action thrillers, it still feels fresh, thanks to its psychological depth and stunning cinematography. The Alaskan wilderness, both majestic and menacing, serves as a character in its own right, amplifying the stakes at every turn.
Flight Risk is now showing in cinemas nationwide.