Let’s get one thing out of the way: Fight or Flight is ridiculous. Like, “how did a chainsaw get on a plane?” ridiculous. But weirdly enough, that’s kind of the charm.
James Madigan’s new action flick throws you straight into chaos at cruising altitude and barely gives you a second to catch your breath. It’s intense, messy, and completely over-the-top—and I mean that in the best possible way.
So, what’s the deal?
Josh Hartnett plays Lucas Reyes, a guy with a sketchy past and a serious talent for violence. He boards what should’ve been a standard flight from Bangkok to San Francisco. But of course, nothing’s that simple. Turns out, someone on board is a high-value target nicknamed “The Ghost,” and a bunch of heavily armed mercenaries want them dead. The kicker? Nobody knows who the Ghost is. Cue total mayhem.
Hartnett’s back—and still a badass
I wasn’t sure what to expect from Hartnett, but he nails it here. He doesn’t overplay it—he just brings a quiet, almost reluctant toughness to Lucas. You believe this guy’s done terrible things, and you believe he’s trying to make peace with them… all while fighting off assassins in an airplane bathroom.
Charithra Chandran, as Isha, holds her own. She’s not just the token techie—she’s got a purpose, and she’s not there to play damsel. Katee Sackhoff also shows up as a cold, calculating operator. You’re never totally sure if she’s pulling the strings or cutting them. Oh—and Marko Zaror? That guy fights like he’s got something to prove. Every time he’s on screen, it’s pure carnage.
Action that doesn’t let up
I’ve seen plenty of plane-set thrillers, but this one leans into the claustrophobia. Fights break out in spots so cramped you can barely imagine how the camera fits in there, let alone two full-grown stunt guys.
There’s one sequence involving a food cart, a laptop, and a stray bullet that somehow doesn’t feel forced—it just works. It’s creative chaos, and it’s clear the director had a blast with it.
Somehow, it’s kind of funny too.
For a movie with this much blood, Fight or Flight sneaks in a decent amount of humour. Not in a cheesy action-hero kind of way, but in those weird, unexpected moments—like the in-flight safety video being used to cover a sniper shot. Or a deadpan flight attendant trying to maintain order while half the passengers are brawling. It’s not trying to be a comedy, but it knows how absurd it is and rolls with it.
Yeah, it’s dumb. But who cares?
Are there plot holes? Absolutely. Could a lot of this ever happen in real life? Not a chance. But honestly, none of that matters. This isn’t a movie trying to win awards. It’s trying to entertain—and on that front, it succeeds.
The takeaway
If you’re looking for a grounded, thoughtful thriller… this ain’t it. But if you want to turn your brain off for two hours and watch badasses fight on a plane with whatever they can get their hands on—including, yes, a chainsaw—Fight or Flight delivers exactly what the title promises.
Written by; Shubham Choudhary