In the high-octane action-comedy Fight or Flight, director James Madigan delivers a gleefully unapologetic action movie that embraces its absurdity with open arms. Starring Josh Hartnett as Lucas Reyes, a disgraced ex-Secret Service agent turned drunken mercenary, the film catapults viewers into a chaotic, blood-soaked battle aboard a trans-Pacific flight from Bangkok to San Francisco. Tasked with protecting a mysterious hacker known as The Ghost, Reyes must fend off a plane full of assassins, each more eccentric than the last. With its relentless pacing and over-the-top violence, Fight or Flight is a love letter to fans of Bullet Train and John Wick, even if it doesn’t always stick the landing.
Hartnett’s performance shows his resurgence as a charismatic action star. Sporting frosted blonde tips and a devil-may-care attitude, his Lucas is equal parts grizzled warrior and Looney Tunes punching bag, navigating the absurdity with a manic grin and surprising physicality. Performing his own stunts, Hartnett throws himself into the role with enthusiasm, whether he’s wielding a seatbelt as a weapon or stumbling through a hallucinatory fight sequence fueled by toad venom.
Charithra Chandran shines as Isha, a flight attendant with a hidden edge, whose chemistry with Hartnett grounds the film’s wilder moments. Katee Sackhoff, as the steely Katherine Brunt, delivers a commanding performance, though her character’s control-room scenes feel like filler compared to the onboard mayhem. The parade of assassins offers a mixed bag of cartoonish foes, some more memorable than others. Madigan’s directorial debut showcases his second-unit experience, with fight choreography that makes clever use of the airplane’s confined spaces. From drink carts to overhead compartments, every element of the setting becomes a weapon in sequences that are both inventive and gleefully gory.
Where Fight or Flight falters is in its narrative. The script, penned by Brooks McLaren and D.J. Cotrona, tries to weave a complex web of betrayals and corporate intrigue, but these subplots feel half-baked and distract from the main attraction: Hartnett versus an army of killers. Yet, for all its flaws, Fight or Flight never takes itself too seriously, and that’s its saving grace. The humor, often derived from the sheer ridiculousness of the carnage, lands more often than it misses, particularly in moments where Hartnett’s charm shines through.
Fight or Flight is a turbulent but entertaining flight that delivers exactly what it promises: a wild, bloody, and occasionally hilarious spectacle. It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s not trying to be. For those willing to check their expectations at the gate and embrace the chaos, Hartnett’s heroics make this a trip worth taking. Just don’t expect a smooth landing.
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