It wasn’t a movie that arrived with huge expectations when it was released in early 2023. The title was a little too on the nose, the premise a little too been-there-done-that, and it would be another small action movie hardly anyone would notice. But now, more than a year later, that movie is No. 3 on Netflix, a testament to the fact that the movie has found an audience that likes what it has to offer — stripped-down pacing, old school thrills, and a lead performance that grounds the chaos.
A Simple Setup That Soars
The plot doesn’t waste time. Brodie Torrance (played by Gerard Butler) is a commercial pilot flying a New Year’s Eve route from Singapore to Tokyo. Onboard, there’s a mix of passengers and a handcuffed fugitive, Louis Gaspare (Mike Colter), who’s being extradited. A lightning strike knocks out the plane’s systems, forcing an emergency landing on a remote island in the Philippines—one run not by rescue teams, but by violent separatists.
That’s the setup, and thankfully, the movie doesn’t try to oversell it. Instead, it leans into the tension of survival and the responsibility of leadership. The title may be Plane, but most of the action happens after the crash—and that’s where things really take off.
Butler, Brains, and Brawn
Gerard Butler plays Brodie not as a muscle-flexing hero but as a weary, experienced pilot trying to keep people alive. There’s something refreshingly grounded about his performance. He’s not indestructible, he’s not always confident, and he certainly doesn’t have all the answers. But he feels real. And that’s what gives the film its edge.
Mike Colter, best known for his role in Luke Cage, plays Gaspare with a calm intensity. His character easily could’ve been reduced to a stereotype, but instead, he becomes an unexpected asset. Watching Butler and Colter’s uneasy alliance unfold adds an extra layer to the story. It’s not deep drama, but their dynamic gives the film emotional footing.
Stripped-Down Action, No-Frills Thrills
Director Jean-François Richet keeps things focused. There are no overblown explosions or unnecessary subplots. The violence is brutal but not exaggerated, the action sequences are tightly choreographed, and the stakes stay personal. This isn’t about saving the world. It’s about saving a few dozen lives stranded on hostile ground.
That smaller scale is actually where Plane succeeds. It doesn’t try to be larger-than-life. It sticks to its central conflict and milks every ounce of tension out of it. From Brodie navigating corporate calls for help to the passengers hiding from armed rebels, every moment feels immediate.
Why It’s Trending on Netflix Now
So why is a mid-budget action thriller from 2023 suddenly trending at No. 3 on Netflix? Part of it is timing. Audiences seem to be gravitating toward straightforward, contained action films again—ones that don’t rely on franchise baggage or superhero fatigue. Plane fits that slot perfectly. It’s the kind of film you can dive into without needing any backstory. Just hit play, and you’re in.
There’s also a certain nostalgia factor. It feels like the kind of movie that might have headlined a weekend cable channel a decade ago—lean, gritty, and self-aware. And with platforms flooded by overly long or overly ambitious releases, Plane stands out by doing the basics right.
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Final Descent: Is It Worth the Watch?
Plane isn’t trying to change the game. It knows exactly what kind of film it is and delivers it with confidence. At 107 minutes, it’s brisk, focused, and rarely drags. The writing is serviceable, the characters are more fleshed-out than expected, and the direction avoids the over-stylized pitfalls that often bog down action flicks.
If you’re looking for something layered or artistic, this won’t be it. But if you want a solid survival thriller with a reliable lead and some surprisingly tense moments, it’s well worth the watch. And maybe that’s why Netflix audiences are clicking play. Sometimes, all you need is a plane, a plan, and just enough grit to keep you glued to your seat.
Writer – Subham Choudhary