Director
James Madigan

Starring
Josh Hartnett, Charithra Chandran and Julian Kostov

Directed by first timer James Madigan, Fight or Flight is action-comedy starring Josh Hartnett as Lucas Reyes, a disgraced ex-FBI agent pulled back into the fray to protect a high-value target known only as ‘The Ghost’ aboard an international flight.

Reyes is recruited to identify and safeguard ‘The Ghost’ on a flight from Bangkok to San Francisco. What should be a simple assignment turns into utter chaos when assassins learn of his identity and occupy the plane, creating a deadly and claustrophobic battleground whilst all simultaneously hunting ‘The Ghost’.  Reyes must fend off the many threats with improvised ingenuity at 37,000 feet.  

Fight or Flight is equal parts action-packed as well as absurd. Josh Hartnett delivers immensely with what little he has to work with in what seems to be a career revival on the back of impressive turns in Oppenheimer and Trap in recent years. He fully commits to the mayhem with physical comedy, chainsaws, hallucinogens, and nonstop carnage, never seeming to tire from the chaos (even if the audience does). His supporting cast, whilst largely comprised of lesser-known actors, also play their part in keeping the fare engaging enough that you don’t feel like you’re crawling to the finish line.

Essentially this film feels like a TEMU John Wick, but on a plane. The vibe is the same, but with such a restrictive location, there are only so many places this film can go without teetering on overwhelming repetitiveness. The action sequences are impressive and the film overall is an easy enough watch and thankfully not a painful experience like many of this this genre have been of late (I’m looking directly at anything starring Jason Statham). So whilst it’s not likely to become a cult-classic, Fight or Flight certainly isn’t a waste of time.

Fight or Flight is in cinemas nationally from September 4.