Flight Riskmay not have had a smooth takeoff at the box office, but theMark Wahlberg-led thriller is climbing the charts now – at least on streaming. The Lionsgate action flick, directed byMel Gibson, is currently sitting at #2 on Starz, marking a surprising turnaround for afilm that struggled to find its footing when it debuted in theaters.
Despite a promising cast – including Wahlberg as a psychotic pilot,Michelle Dockeryas a no-nonsense Air Marshal, andTopher Graceas a nervous fugitive –Flight Riskbarely made it past $42 million worldwide. With a critical score of just 30% on Rotten Tomatoes and box office returns that disappointed even modest projections, most had already written the film off as a mid-budget misfire. But streaming audiences seem to be giving it a second chance.
If the title didn’t already tip you off, this is a high-altitude pressure cooker. Wahlberg plays a deeply unhinged bush pilot hired to transport a federal fugitive across the remote wilderness of Alaska. Grace’s character seems like a simple white-collar criminal, and Dockery’s air marshal has the confidence to match. But as the flight progresses and the isolation of the skies takes its toll, identities blur, secrets emerge, and the real danger becomes all too clear. ThinkCon AirmeetsMisery– in a single-engine plane with no parachutes. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Wish it was.
Is ‘Flight Risk’ Worth Watching?
Written byJared Rosenbergand directed by Gibson,the film has all the trappings of a taut, claustrophobic thriller.And while it didn’t land with critics, there’s no denying that Gibson’s knack for tension and Wahlberg’s unpredictable turn as the villain are drawing renewed attention now that the movie is just a click away.Collider’sJeff Ewingnoted the film’s awkward balancing act, writing thatFlight Risk“struggles to keep pace with its own ambitions.” Ewing continued:
“Some performances are far better than others, and they aren’t all consistently memorable or engaging enough to carry the film over the finish line.”
For those who are morbidly curious to catch the movie,Flight Riskis streaming on Starz. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates on Mark Wahlberg and Mel Gibson.
Flight Risk
