Review: Flight Risk (2025) – A Turbulent Ride to Nowhere
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Flight Risk is one of those movies that leaves you wondering: Why was this even made? Directed by Mel Gibson and starring Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Dockery, and Topher Grace, this so-called thriller crashes before it ever takes off. With a predictable plot, weak character development, and action scenes that lack any real intensity, this film is an absolute misfire from start to finish.
A Plot That Never Takes Off
The story follows a pilot (Wahlberg) tasked with transporting a fugitive (Grace) and a U.S. Marshal (Dockery) across the Alaskan wilderness. Sounds like a setup for high-stakes tension, right? Wrong. Instead, the movie meanders through a dull and uninspired script, failing to capitalize on its premise. Every twist is telegraphed miles ahead, making it painfully easy to predict what will happen next.
Topher Grace – A Performance Worth Forgetting
If bad casting had a poster child, Topher Grace's performance in Flight Risk would be front and center. His portrayal of the informant is flat, lifeless, and devoid of any nuance. Rather than delivering a gripping or complex character, Grace turns in a performance that feels more suited for a sitcom than a high-stakes thriller. It’s impossible to take him seriously, which drags the movie down even further.
Mark Wahlberg – What Happened?
Wahlberg, typically known for his action roles, appears to be phoning it in here. There’s no passion, no grit—just a paycheck performance that makes you wonder why he even signed onto this project. Considering his past work in action-heavy films, Flight Risk feels like a massive step down. At this point, Wahlberg should be embarrassed for attaching his name to such a weak script.
Missing the Mark on Every Level
Aside from the poor performances and lackluster story, Flight Risk also suffers from missing plot points, underdeveloped characters, and forgettable action sequences. There’s no sense of urgency, no emotional investment, and certainly no reason to care about what’s happening on screen. The film seems to be going through the motions without any real effort to engage its audience.
Final Verdict: A Complete Waste of Time
There’s no way around it—Flight Risk is a disaster. With zero tension, poor performances, and a script that never fully develops, this movie should have never happened. Wahlberg and Gibson should have known better than to sign onto something this uninspired. If you're looking for an action thriller with depth, suspense, and compelling performances, look elsewhere.
Skip this one. You’ll thank yourself later.