Flight Risk (2025), directed by Mel Gibson and starring Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Dockery, and Topher Grace, is a gripping action thriller set in the Alaskan wilderness. Read our in-depth review of the film, including plot, performances, technical aspects, and overall verdict.
🎬 Movie Overview
Title: Flight Risk
Genre: Action, Thriller
Director: Mel Gibson
Writer: Jared Rosenberg
Release Date: January 24, 2025
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Dockery, Topher Grace
Running Time: 91 minutes
Language: English
Budget: $25 million
Box Office Collection: $44.6 million
⸻
🧭 Plot Summary
Set amidst the harsh, icy landscapes of the Alaskan wilderness, Flight Risk follows veteran pilot Daryl Booth (Mark Wahlberg), who is tasked with transporting a fugitive (Topher Grace) and a Deputy U.S. Marshal (Michelle Dockery) across dangerous terrain. What begins as a routine prisoner transfer quickly escalates into a tense psychological thriller when hidden agendas unravel and no one onboard the small aircraft can be fully trusted.
The film wastes little time setting up the central conflict. As the trio soars over snow-laden peaks, a deadly game of deception begins. With communications lost, fuel running low, and Alaska’s wild terrain closing in, survival hinges not only on skill but on uncovering the truth before it’s too late.
⸻
🎭 Performances
Mark Wahlberg delivers a rugged and compelling performance as the seasoned bush pilot. Known for his action roles, Wahlberg brings a gritty believability to Booth—playing a man with a mysterious past and questionable motivations. He portrays a layered character who shifts from stoic professional to paranoid survivor as tensions mount.
Michelle Dockery steps into a strong, no-nonsense role as Deputy Marshal Ramirez. Her performance is sharp and intense, matching Wahlberg’s energy and holding her own during confrontational scenes. Dockery effectively blends vulnerability with steeliness, adding emotional depth to her character.
Topher Grace is perhaps the film’s biggest surprise. As the captured fugitive, he walks a fine line between unsettling and sympathetic, keeping viewers guessing about his true role in the unfolding drama. Grace gives a performance that’s both eerie and enigmatic, adding significant suspense to the story.
⸻
🎥 Direction & Writing
Mel Gibson, returning to the director’s chair after several years, proves he hasn’t lost his touch for crafting visceral, edge-of-your-seat narratives. His direction here is taut and economical, perfectly suited to the film’s 91-minute runtime. Gibson makes excellent use of the Alaskan wilderness—not just as a backdrop but as a character in itself. The isolated, claustrophobic setting intensifies the suspense, and the script avoids unnecessary subplots to maintain relentless pacing.
Jared Rosenberg’s screenplay is lean but layered, relying on sharp dialogue and psychological tension rather than heavy exposition. The character dynamics evolve naturally, and the mid-film twist recontextualizes earlier scenes, giving the story a fresh second wind.
⸻
🎞️ Technical Aspects
Cinematography by Johnny Derango is a standout element. The contrast between the vast, unforgiving wilderness and the tight, confined cockpit creates a visual metaphor for the characters’ deteriorating trust. Sweeping aerial shots of Alaska are stunning, adding to the film’s cinematic quality while maintaining its thriller roots.
Steven Rosenblum’s editing keeps the narrative tight and the pacing brisk. The film jumps from high-tension dialogue to gripping action with minimal downtime.
Antônio Pinto’s score complements the tension without being overbearing. Subtle, atmospheric, and often ominous, it supports the story’s mood shifts without ever overpowering the on-screen drama.
⸻
🔍 Themes & Analysis
Flight Risk plays with themes of identity, trust, and moral ambiguity. Each character carries hidden baggage, and the film slowly peels back their layers, revealing motivations that blur the line between right and wrong. Gibson explores the human instinct for survival—not just from nature, but from the truth itself.
The film also subtly critiques systems of justice and authority, asking whether the labels of “fugitive” and “law enforcer” are as clear-cut as they appear. In doing so, it elevates itself from a simple survival thriller to a commentary on perception and truth.
⸻
✅ Strengths
• Strong, focused performances from the lead trio
• Tight direction and brisk pacing
• Beautiful cinematography and engaging visual storytelling
• Psychological depth and plot twists that keep viewers guessing
• An atmospheric score that enhances tension
⸻
❌ Weaknesses
• Some character backstories feel underdeveloped
• A few logic gaps in the script may bother keen-eyed viewers
• Secondary characters are nearly non-existent, which limits broader world-building
• The climax, while intense, resolves a bit too conveniently for some tastes
⸻
🎯 Final Verdict
Flight Risk isn’t just a high-altitude thriller—it’s a stripped-down, character-driven suspense film that thrives on ambiguity and tension. Mel Gibson’s direction keeps the stakes high, and the cast delivers strong performances across the board. Though it may not revolutionize the genre, it’s a solid, gripping ride that holds your attention from takeoff to landing.
⸻
Best Movie Review (BMR) Rating: 7.5/10
Thrilling, atmospheric, and character-focused—Flight Risk is a tight, suspenseful journey through psychological turbulence in a stunningly harsh environment.