I made a last minute call to watch Flight Risk and well Mark Wahlberg was the main reason. I’ve always had a soft spot for his action flicks. Whether it’s Lone Survivor, The Italian Job, or even Shooter, the man has delivered solid, entertaining performances over the years. So, naturally, when I saw his name headlining Flight Risk, I figured I’d be in for a decent ride. Some intense action, maybe a few surprises, and at the very least, a storyline that holds my attention.
What I got instead was 90 minutes of disappointment 😮💨
Flight Risk is one of those films that sounds great on paper ‘A pilot is hired to fly a U.S. Marshal and her fugitive witness prisoner across the remote Alaskan wilderness’. The setup screams high stakes tension, unpredictable turns, and maybe even some moral conflict. Instead, what unfolds is a painfully predictable story that doesn’t even try to take risks. And no, I’m not just making a pun here. This movie doesn’t risk anything at all ! it plays it so safe and so dull, you’ll forget you even watched it by the next day (But I Didn’t And Here I Am 😂)
Let’s talk about the story or whatever passes for one in this film. Wahlberg plays the pilot, Michelle Dockery takes on the role of the U.S. Marshal, and Topher Grace plays the fugitive. What starts as a basic transport mission quickly turns into a cat and mouse chase (Because Of Course It Does), but even that falls flat. The plot limps along with no urgency, no tension, and nothing that resembles suspense. You can predict each “twist” a good 15 minutes before it happens. And when those “big reveals” do come ? They’re so underwhelming you wonder if the writers thought we hadn’t seen a thriller since 1998.
This movie is less a thriller and more of a slow flight into nothingness. I kept waiting for the moment where the story would take off literally or metaphorically. But that moment never comes. Instead, it stalls somewhere around the 20-minute mark and stays there. There’s no sense of danger, no sense of unpredictability, and absolutely no creative tension between the characters. Everything about the plot feels like it was lifted out of a generic TV movie script that never got made and probably for good reason.
Wahlberg Deserves Better (So Do We)
Let’s talk about Mark Wahlberg. He’s been in some great action roles. He’s not the most versatile actor, sure, but when he’s in his zone tough, gritty, morally conflicted, he works. But in Flight Risk, it’s like he’s half asleep. His performance is wooden, uninspired, and feels like he’s just going through the motions. It’s the kind of acting you expect when someone has clearly lost interest halfway through filming but still needs to finish the job because… well, contract 😂
I honestly couldn’t believe this was the same Wahlberg who gave us Deepwater Horizon or Patriots Day. Where’s the fire my man ? Where’s the commitment ? Instead, he mumbles through dialogue, delivers one liners that don’t land, and generally looks like he’s just waiting for his next coffee break. At this point in his career, he has the clout to pick better projects. So why this one ? Why Flight Risk ? Did no one give him a heads up that this script was a mess ?
The Supporting Cast Tries… But Fails
Michelle Dockery and Topher Grace try to do something with their characters, but they’re given so little to work with. Dockery’s character has the same stern expression throughout the film, and her relationship with Wahlberg’s character never builds into anything meaningful. Grace, usually solid in supporting roles, plays the fugitive government witness with a weird combination of sarcasm and fear, but the character never evolves. There’s no backstory worth caring about, no emotional payoff, and certainly no reason to root for anyone.
The chemistry between the characters is nonexistent. Every conversation feels like it’s being read from a script at a table read. There’s no connection, no rhythm, and no tension between the three leads. For a film that’s supposed to be about being stuck in close quarters under dangerous conditions, everyone’s way too calm, too disconnected, and honestly… too boring.
Direction and Production Value: Budget Airline Vibes
You can usually forgive a movie for having a low budget if it at least delivers on story or performance. But when the writing is weak, the acting is flat, and the direction is lifeless, you’re left with nothing. That’s Flight Risk in a nutshell.
The Alaskan landscape could have been a character on its own vast, threatening, unpredictable. But instead, it’s just background. There’s zero effort to use the environment to build atmosphere or suspense. The flight scenes feel like CGI from a decade ago, and the cinematography is forgettable at best. There’s no style, no grit, no edge. Just plain, flat, uninspired visuals.
Even the action scenes what little there are feel tacked on. There’s no adrenaline, no creative choreography, and definitely no sense of urgency. It’s like someone watched a YouTube tutorial on “How to Direct an Action Scene” and then gave up halfway through.
Final Verdict: Skip It
I don’t say this lightly, but Flight Risk might just be the most forgettable film I’ve watched all year. And that’s saying something. With a bland plot, phoned in performances, and direction that feels like a checklist rather than a vision, this film never even gets off the ground. It’s a classic example of wasted potential.
You know how sometimes you watch a movie that’s bad, but at least it’s so bad it’s fun ? This isn’t even that. This is just boring. It’s the cinematic equivalent of waiting in a long line at the airport only to find out your flight’s been delayed indefinitely.
If you’re looking for a thriller that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat, Flight Risk isn’t it. If you’re looking for a Mark Wahlberg movie that reminds you why you like watching him in the first place DEFINITELY NOT IT. If you’re looking for something to stream in the background while you do laundry, maybe… but even then, don’t be surprised if you find the laundry more engaging.
Save your time. Skip this one. You’ll thank yourself later.
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