Flight Risk” is a 2025 American action thriller directed by Mel Gibson, featuring Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Dockery, and Topher Grace. The narrative centers on a pilot tasked with transporting a U.S. Marshal and a government witness across the Alaskan wilderness, where hidden motives and identities come to light.

Synopsis

Madelyn Harris (Michelle Dockery), a deputy U.S. marshal, is charged with the responsibility of bringing Winston (Topher Grace), an accountant-turned-informant, to testify against a notorious mobster. They get into a light aircraft piloted by Daryl Booth (Mark Wahlberg), who appears to be a pleasant Texas gentleman. However, it becomes clear that he is not all he seems during the flight over the perilous Alaskan landscape, leading to a frosty encounter that takes place at 30,000 feet.

Cast & Crew

  • Director: Mel Gibson
  • Producer: John Davis, John Fox, Bruce Davey, Mel Gibson
  • Writer: Jared Rosenberg
  • Cast:
    • Mark Wahlberg as Daryl Booth
    • Michelle Dockery as Madelyn Harris
    • Topher Grace as Winston

Production Insights

The screenplay for “Flight Risk” was featured on the 2020 Black List of most-liked unproduced scripts. Filming commenced in June 2023, with locations including Las Vegas, Mesquite, Nevada, and parts of Alaska. Notably, Mark Wahlberg chose to shave his head daily to authentically portray his balding character, opting against the use of a bald cap.

Critical Reception

“Flight Risk” was released on January 24, 2025 and was met with mixed reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an average rating of 4.8/10 from 30 critic reviews, resulting in an approval rating of 27%. Additionally, the film rates 36 out of 100 on Metacritic which also means that it has ‘generally unfavorable’ reviews.

Personal Insights

The drama “Flight Risk” is set in a limited space which is quite emotionally charged because the action primarily takes place in a cramped airplane. This issue of avoiding feeling claustrophobic works against the characters, rendering much of the narrative dreadfully tense. The film is exceptionally performed, especially by Dockery and Grace, but some reviewers argue that the engaging premise is not fully utilized.

Cultural Significance

The movie underscored themes of treachery, trust, and mitigation, which are taking place in the wilderness of Alaska. It analyzes where one draws the line in self-preservation and protection, alongside the situational ethics in a fight to survive, while at one’s own expense. While it does not establish the parameters of the thriller genre, “Flight Risk” furthers the debate about maddening aspects of life as it pertains to humanity and discusses the risk flight.

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