Warning: Major Spoilers for Flight Risk below!
Mark Wahlberg’s Latest Villainous Role Falls Flat in Flight Risk
Mark Wahlberg’s return to playing a villainous character in Flight Risk was highly anticipated, but the film’s use of him has been met with disappointment. Wahlberg’s last notable role as an antagonist was in 1996’s Fear, and his appearance in Flight Risk was eagerly awaited. However, the film has been largely panned by critics, with mixed reviews of Wahlberg’s performance.
One of the surprises in Flight Risk is the limited screen time given to Wahlberg’s character, an unnamed assassin. After his true intentions are revealed, he is briefly subdued by U.S. Marshal Harris (Michelle Dockery) and becomes a background character. Wahlberg’s character spends a significant portion of the runtime unconscious, tied up in the back of the plane.
This limited screen time is surprising, given Wahlberg’s status as the only major star in the cast. The film seems to focus more on the two-man show between Harris and Winston (Topher Grace), with Wahlberg’s character relegated to the periphery. It is possible that a stand-in was used in the background shots, which would further reduce Wahlberg’s screen time.
Wahlberg’s performance as the villain is hammy and over-the-top, with his character making bad jokes and distasteful comments. Despite his best efforts, Wahlberg fails to make an impact as the primary antagonist. His character’s menaces are constant, but ultimately seem minor and unthreatening.
The film’s decision to keep Wahlberg’s character off-screen for extended periods seems to be a deliberate choice, which casts a negative light on his character’s significance. The film’s focus on the two protagonists, Harris and Winston, makes Wahlberg’s role seem inconsequential. The result is a thriller that is fun but forgettable, failing to deliver a memorable performance from its lead star.
