Fight or Flight (2025) Review: Buckle Up for Bloody, High-Flying Mayhem

Brace Yourself for Turbulence: A Review of Fight or Flight (2025)

Hold on tight, movie buffs, because James Madigan’s directorial debut, Fight or Flight (2025), is a wild ride from takeoff to (attempted) landing. This high-altitude action-comedy, starring a wonderfully unhinged Josh Hartnett in a career-rejuvenating performance, throws logic out the emergency exit and delivers a gleefully over-the-top experience that will leave you simultaneously gasping and chuckling.

If you’re a fan of films that embrace their own absurdity, where the body count rivals the altitude, and the one-liners land almost as frequently as the punches, then Fight or Flight might just be your first-class ticket to entertainment. For those seeking a grounded, realistic thriller, well, you might want to book a different flight.

The Premise: Killers in the Cabin

The setup is simple, bordering on ludicrous, and that’s precisely where its charm lies. We’re introduced to Lucas Reyes (Hartnett), a down-on-his-luck, bleach-blonde former government agent living in self-imposed exile in Thailand. His shot at redemption, and a hefty paycheck, comes in the form of a mission from his ex-lover and former boss, Katherine Brunt (a sternly seductive Katee Sackhoff).

Reyes’ task? Board a flight from Bangkok to San Francisco and apprehend a notorious cyber-terrorist known only as “The Ghost.” Sounds straightforward enough, right? Wrong. As Reyes soon discovers, the passenger manifest reads like a who’s who of international assassins, all eager to collect a hefty bounty on The Ghost’s head. Suddenly, a transatlantic flight becomes a battleground at 37,000 feet.

Hartnett’s Hilariously Havoc-Wreaking Performance

At the heart of this airborne anarchy is Josh Hartnett, and he is an absolute revelation. Shedding his former teen idol image, Hartnett embraces the role of the burnt-out, often inebriated Reyes with gusto. He’s a charismatic anti-hero, delivering deadpan one-liners amidst the chaos and displaying a surprising flair for physical comedy. His resilience to injury and intoxication becomes a running gag, adding to the film’s cartoonish charm. As noted by several reviews, this film, along with his recent turn in “Trap,” marks a significant and welcome “Hartnettaissance.”

Action That Defies Gravity (and Logic)

Director James Madigan, with a background in second-unit direction for action-heavy films like “Snake Eyes: GI Joe Origins” and “RED 2,” clearly knows how to stage a fight. The action sequences in Fight or Flight are frequent, frenetic, and often hilariously inventive. From using airplane seatbelts as weapons to employing a chainsaw in a confined cabin (yes, you read that right!), the film constantly finds new and ridiculous ways for its characters to engage in mortal combat.

While the choreography might not reach the balletic heights of the John Wick series (a comparison frequently drawn, as the film proudly boasts a producer from that franchise), the sheer audacity of the action is undeniably entertaining. The confined setting of the airplane adds a claustrophobic tension to the brawls, making each close-quarters confrontation feel impactful, even when the logic behind it is questionable.

A Touch of Humor Amidst the Carnage

What elevates Fight or Flight above a simple action flick is its surprisingly effective sense of humor. The script, penned by Brooks McLaren and D.J. Cotrona, injects a healthy dose of dark comedy into the proceedings. From Reyes’s sardonic remarks to the absurd situations the characters find themselves in (fighting while drugged, battling assassins wielding bizarre improvised weapons), the film never takes itself too seriously.

The supporting cast also contributes to the comedic tone. Charithra Chandran shines as Isha, the resourceful flight attendant who becomes Reyes’ unlikely ally, providing a much-needed dose of sanity amidst the mayhem. Their dynamic provides some of the film’s most enjoyable moments.

Connecting the Dots: Your Ultimate Movie Companion

If you’re intrigued by Fight or Flight after reading this review, or if you’re a fan of action-comedies in general, make sure to visit What’s After the Movie. Our website is your comprehensive movie database, offering a wealth of information beyond just reviews.

On our dedicated movie page for Fight or Flight, you can find even more details about the film, including a movie summary, cast and crew information, and even fun movie quizzes to test your knowledge. We also provide convenient links to other popular movie information providers, allowing you to gather different critical perspectives and audience reactions.

For example, you can check out what critics are saying on: Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes

You can also delve deeper into the film’s details on: IMDB, TMDB, and Wikipedia

Find out where you can watch the movie: JustWatch

Explore its box office performance: Box Office Mojo

See what fellow movie enthusiasts are saying: Letterboxd

And even grab tickets: Fandango

We aim to be your one-stop destination for all things movies, and this blog post is just one of the many insightful pieces you’ll find on the What’s After the Movie blog.

Final Verdict: A Fun, Frantic, and Flawed Flight

Fight or Flight (2025) is not a cinematic masterpiece. Its plot is paper-thin, its logic often takes a backseat to the action, and its low-budget origins occasionally peek through. However, what it lacks in polish and realism, it more than makes up for in sheer, unadulterated entertainment.

Josh Hartnett’s committed performance, the relentlessly inventive action sequences, and the surprisingly effective humor combine to create a uniquely enjoyable viewing experience. If you’re willing to suspend your disbelief and embrace the absurdity, Fight or Flight offers a turbulent but ultimately satisfyingly silly ride. Just be sure to fasten your seatbelt – it’s going to be a bumpy one!

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.