Fight Or Flight Review : A turbulent but thrilling ride

Story: A mercenary is tasked to track down a high-value target known only as 'The Ghost' aboard an international flight. But when it becomes clear the plane is packed with assassins sent to eliminate them both, the two unlikely allies must join forces to survive and uncover the truth midair.

Review: Fight or Flight is the kind of film that asks you to check logic at the gate and buckle up for a high-altitude, hyper-violent spectacle. Directed by James Madigan, in his feature debut, the film channels the kinetic chaos of John Wick and Bullet Train, delivering a slick action romp that thrives on momentum but occasionally stumbles in narrative turbulence.

At its center is Josh Hartnett, who continues his career resurgence with confident, charismatic ease. As Lucas Reyes, a reclusive mercenary pulled back into action by his former boss Katherine Brunt (Katee Sackhoff) to track a criminal known as 'The Ghost,' Hartnett commands the screen with a mix of grit, humor, and absurd cool (yes, even while wearing airline pajamas and wielding a chainsaw in a pressurized cabin). He brings much-needed depth to a character that could have easily become just another action-movie archetype.

The film’s midair setting serves as both a claustrophobic crucible and a creative playground for Madigan’s action sensibilities. One-shot fight sequences, inventive kills (including a standout scene in a first-class lavatory), and a delightedly unhinged tone propel the movie forward like a jet engine on overdrive. There’s a sense of fun here—albeit a violent, blood-soaked one—that makes the film easy to enjoy, even when its internal logic doesn’t hold up to scrutiny (seriously, who did bring the guns and the chainsaw on board?).

Charithra Chandran, as the no-nonsense flight attendant caught in the crossfire, proves to be a standout supporting player. Her chemistry with Hartnett adds a dose of levity and unexpected heart, even if attempts to deepen their bond feel forced as the film progresses. When Fight or Flight veers into emotional territory, it risks stalling out, weighed down by melodramatic beats that clash with its otherwise punchy pace.

The film also suffers from an undercooked subplot grounded on the tarmac. Despite Katee Sackhoff’s best efforts as the mission's cold-hearted overseer, the narrative back at HQ feels half-baked and tonally inconsistent. Secondary characters, like Julian Kostov’s generic tough-guy agent, are reduced to shouting exposition and add little to the story’s thrust.

Yet, in spite of these shortcomings, Fight or Flight earns its stripes as a crowd-pleasing, popcorn action flick. Madigan’s background in second unit direction on movies like Transformers: Rise of the Beasts pays off in the film’s explosive choreography, which often elevates it above its pulpy premise. While not without its faults, this is a solid debut that suggests exciting things ahead—particularly if Madigan leans further into the madness and less into the melodrama.

Fight or Flight may hit some narrative turbulence, but with Hartnett’s swagger and Madigan’s visual flair, it still makes for an entertaining—if implausible—ride.