Review
Flight Risk (Thriller) (2025)
Director: Mel Gibson
Writer: Jared Rosenberg
Stars: Michelle Dockery, Mark Wahlberg, Topher Grace, Paul Ben-Victor
In an attempt to transport a vital informant with evidence to testify against an influential crime family, what should’ve been a reasonably effortless flight across the Alaskan wilderness turns into a troublesome endeavour.
Actor, director, and pop-culture icon known for his atypical statements and beliefs, Mel Gibson is a debated figure within and outside of Hollywood circles. Having taken a sabbatical from his directorial efforts after well-received features such as ‘’Braveheart’’, ‘’Apocalypto’’, and ‘’The Passion of the Christ’’. It has been ten years coming, as he returns with ‘’Flight Risk’’, a typical thriller set in an enclosed space with tension galore. Filming of the feature took place in Mesquite, Nevada, Las Vegas and Alaska. It has been produced by Icon Productions, Davis Entertainment Company, and Hammerstone Studios, whilst being distributed by Lionsgate.
Hiding away somewhere in a sketchy motel in the Alaskan wilds, Winston (Topher Grace) fears a reckoning for the knowledge he holds about the Moretti crime family. However, unbeknownst to him, Madolyn and a pair of local troopers have tracked him down and plan to escort him to Anchorage, from where they can continue the journey with more safety to the greater U.S.. Meant to be a relatively safe plane ride, it causes apprehension as their pilot serves as a challenge they hadn’t anticipated.
Together with fledgling writer Jared Rosenberg, this Mel Gibson directorial resurgence delivers a throwback thriller, as we once had dozens of these films; only a few are made in the current landscape. That makes ‘’Flight Risk’’ an interesting sky-bound voyage, with the previously unreleased script considered highly promising amongst Hollywood executives, leaving some expectations for a tense and exciting journey.
High implications, transporting a vital chess piece to a criminal trial set the scene. It’s a near-frightening tension in a claustrophobic cargo craft, leaving an unusual sensation imprinted on the viewer. Once the reasons for panic become clear, it’s a web of deceit.. Having to trust many voices on the radio to guide them to safety.
Being aware of the limitations, as quickly shown in the script of ‘’Flight Risk’’ which relies on a mere handful of characters, some physical and others through radio chatter. The balance is a blend of brusque humour as the narrative trickles through the dialogue between Wahlberg, Dockery and Grace. Each of which portrayed as caricatures of sorts—either overly snarky, flirty, or stoic, reflecting the roles they’re in—which was a positive. As the plot unfolds, there’s a conspiracy, on a tightrope of who to trust, with the goalposts never truly moving.
While such a confined script can be an exciting viewing experience, leaning on narrative hooks and dialogue, the intention seems to be creating a figurative vacuum chamber as the air drains out. Sadly, it failed to provide enough intrigue or action worthy of either Gibson’s past work or any memorable mention. Whether it’s the short duration preventing the characters from being defined, or the lack of space to build on the manipulative, collusive parts, this re-debut is like a flat tyre, needing some air to be capable of holding any vehicle.
Verdict
Watch at your own Risk.
5,0
