Action Thrillers on an Airplane: From Con Air to Flight Risk
Mel Gibson’s latest film, Flight Risk, is the latest addition to the subgenre of action thrillers set on airplanes. The film, which Follows Mark Wahlberg as a villainous pilot, joins a long list of movies that have taken to the skies for thrills and chills. But what makes these films so appealing, and what separates the good from the bad?
One of the best examples of an airplane action thriller is Con Air, a 1997 classic starring Nicolas Cage as Cameron Poe, a former U.S. Ranger and ex-con who must contain a revolt on a prisoner transport plane. The film is over-the-top and ridiculous, but that’s part of its charm. Con Air is currently available to stream on Hulu.
Another standout is 2005’s Flightplan, a psychological thriller starring Jodie Foster as a mother who must navigate a desperate search for her missing daughter on an international flight. The film is a gripping exploration of what it means to question reality, and is one of Foster’s best performances.
These films share a common thread – the enclosed setting of an airplane, which adds to the natural tension and suspense. Whether it’s a flight full of prisoners or a family searching for a missing child, the narrow confines of an airplane have proven to be the perfect backdrop for action-packed thrills.
But regardless of the plot, there’s no denying that Flight Risk has to overcome the hurdle of its poor Rotten Tomatoes score, which sits at 26%. However, audiences are still drawn to the excitement and thrills of the film, which shares elements of action, comedy, and drama.
With its Jan. 24 release date and 91-minute runtime, Flight Risk has the potential to join the ranks of Con Air and Flightplan as a must-see action thriller. Will it rise above its predecessor’s mediocre reviews, or will it sink like so many other films before it? Only time will tell.