Fight or Flight (2025)
A comprehensive review and analysis of 2025’s most exhilarating airborne action comedy
Meta Description
Dive into our comprehensive review of Fight or Flight (2025), starring Josh Hartnett as a disgraced agent battling assassins on a commercial flight. Complete with plot details, cast insights, and behind-the-scenes facts.
Introduction
In an era where action films often follow predictable formulas, Fight or Flight soars above expectations with its refreshingly outrageous premise and go-for-broke execution. Released in May 2025, this high-altitude thrill ride directed by James Madigan combines the DNA of classic action comedies with modern sensibilities, creating something that feels both familiar and refreshingly unique.
Josh Hartnett returns to leading man status with a vengeance, delivering a performance that reminds audiences why he was once considered Hollywood’s next big action star. The film’s premise—a disgraced agent battling multiple assassins on a commercial flight while protecting a mysterious hacker—provides the perfect vehicle for both intense action sequences and unexpected humor.
Whether you’re looking for brutal fight choreography, laugh-out-loud moments, or simply a fun escape from reality, Fight or Flight offers something for everyone. Let’s buckle up and take a closer look at this airborne adventure that critics are calling “absurdly entertaining” and “a gloriously silly high-concept premise.”
Watch the Official Trailer Here
Movie Overview Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Fight or Flight |
| Release Date | February 28, 2025 (UK), May 9, 2025 (US) |
| Director | James Madigan |
| Genre | Action Comedy |
| Runtime | 97 minutes |
| Rating | R (Language Throughout, Strong Bloody Violence, Some Drug Material) |
| Cast | Josh Hartnett, Charithra Chandran, Katee Sackhoff, Julian Kostov, Marko Zaror |
| Production Companies | Asbury Park Productions |
| Budget | Not Disclosed |
| Box Office Gross | $3.7 million (as of May 2025) |
| IMDb Rating | 7.5/10 |
| Rotten Tomatoes Score | 76% (Critics), 83% (Audience) |
| Languages | English |
| Country of Origin | United Kingdom, United States |
| Streaming Platforms | Expected on digital platforms in July 2025 |
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
Fight or Flight centers on Lucas Reyes (Josh Hartnett), a disgraced former American intelligence agent who has been living in exile in Bangkok following a mission gone wrong. When his former boss and ex-girlfriend Katherine Brunt (Katee Sackhoff) tracks him down, she offers him a chance at redemption: identify and protect a high-value asset known only as “The Ghost” who is believed to be on an international flight from Bangkok to San Francisco.
What seems like a straightforward mission quickly spirals into chaos when Lucas discovers the plane is filled with international assassins, all with orders to eliminate The Ghost. With only his wits, improvisational skills, and whatever he can find on the plane, Lucas must identify The Ghost among the passengers while battling professional killers in the confined space of a commercial airliner.
As the body count rises and the plane sustains increasingly concerning damage, Lucas forms an unlikely alliance with flight attendant Isha (Charithra Chandran), who may know more about the situation than she initially lets on. Together, they must navigate not only the physical threats but also the complex web of deception and betrayal that surrounds The Ghost’s identity.
The film balances intense action sequences with moments of dark comedy, creating a tone that never takes itself too seriously while still delivering genuine thrills and emotional stakes.
Cast and Characters
Josh Hartnett as Lucas Reyes
In what many are calling his triumphant return to action hero status, Hartnett delivers a charismatic and physically demanding performance. His Lucas Reyes is a flawed but resourceful protagonist who combines world-weary cynicism with unexpected moments of vulnerability. Hartnett underwent intensive training for the role, performing many of his own stunts while also nailing the film’s comedic beats with perfect timing.
Charithra Chandran as Isha Mandhal
Best known for her role in Bridgerton, Chandran takes on a more action-oriented role as flight attendant Isha. Her character serves as both a foil and ally to Lucas, with Chandran bringing both emotional depth and physical capability to the part. Critics have particularly praised her chemistry with Hartnett, with the New York Times noting that “Hartnett and Chandran’s laid-back chemistry steady the film’s turbulent tonal shifts.”
Katee Sackhoff as Katherine Brunt
Veteran sci-fi star Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica, The Mandalorian) brings her trademark intensity to the role of Brunt, Lucas’s former superior and ex-girlfriend. As the head of a secretive government agency, Sackhoff perfectly balances authority, ambiguity, and personal history with Lucas.
Julian Kostov as Aaron Hunter
Bulgarian actor Kostov plays Hunter, a by-the-book agent working under Brunt who harbors his own agenda regarding The Ghost. Kostov brings a calculated coldness to the role that serves as an effective counterpoint to Hartnett’s more instinctive approach.
Marko Zaror as Cayenne
Chilean martial artist and actor Zaror (previously seen in John Wick: Chapter 4) brings his impressive physical skills to the role of Cayenne, one of the most formidable assassins on the plane. His fight sequences with Hartnett are among the film’s most spectacular set pieces.
Supporting Cast
The ensemble is rounded out by talents including JuJu Chan Szeto as Master Lian, Danny Ashok as Royce, Hughie O’Donnell as Garrett, and Sarah Lam as Mae. Each brings distinctive energy to the confined airplane setting, creating memorable characters despite limited screen time.
Production and Direction
First-time feature director James Madigan brings his extensive background in visual effects supervision (with credits on films like The Meg and Game of Thrones) to bear on Fight or Flight, creating impressive action sequences despite budgetary constraints. Working from a script by Brooks McLaren and D.J. Cotrona, Madigan emphasizes practical effects whenever possible, giving the film a more grounded feel than many contemporary action films.
The production faced unique challenges in creating convincing airplane interiors for extended fight sequences. Filmed primarily in Hungary, including at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, the crew constructed detailed airplane sets that could be reconfigured to accommodate the complex choreography while maintaining a sense of the confined space.
Cinematographer Matt Flannery (known for his work on The Raid films) brings a kinetic but clear visual style to the action, avoiding the rapid cutting and shaky cam techniques that often plague modern action films. Instead, his approach allows audiences to appreciate the intricate choreography and physical performances.
The film’s production design by Mailara Santana creates a believable commercial airline setting while incorporating subtle visual elements that enhance the storytelling. The score by Paul Saunderson complements the action with driving rhythms and occasional moments of unexpected levity.
Themes and Symbolism
While Fight or Flight primarily aims to entertain, it does touch on several thematic elements:
Redemption and Second Chances
Lucas’s journey from disgraced agent to reluctant hero forms the emotional core of the film. His initial reluctance to re-engage with his former life gives way to a renewed sense of purpose as he faces increasingly dire circumstances.
Confinement and Liberation
The airplane setting serves as both a literal and metaphorical prison from which characters must escape. The confined space forces characters to confront both external threats and internal demons with nowhere to run.
Trust and Deception
In a world where almost everyone has hidden motives, the film explores the difficulty of knowing who to trust. The developing trust between Lucas and Isha forms a counterpoint to the deception that surrounds them.
The Absurdity of Violence
While featuring plenty of brutal action, the film maintains a self-aware tone about the increasingly ridiculous nature of its violence. This approach allows for both genuine thrills and moments of dark comedy that prevent the violence from becoming oppressive.
Critical Reception
Fight or Flight has received generally positive reviews from critics, currently holding a 76% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The critical consensus reads: “Josh Hartnett’s go-for-broke performance gives Fight or Flight wings, sustaining this daffy action-comedy at an entertaining cruising altitude that refreshingly doesn’t wear out its welcome.”
On Metacritic, the film has a score of 59 out of 100, indicating “mixed or average reviews.” Audiences have been slightly more enthusiastic, with the film earning a “C+” CinemaScore from opening weekend audiences.
Critics particularly praised Hartnett’s performance, with Variety noting that he “proves himself a worthy action hero with both the physical prowess and self-deprecating humor necessary for the role.” The film’s action sequences and humorous tone have also received widespread praise, though some critics found fault with the plot’s predictability and occasional pacing issues.
John Nugent in Empire magazine awarded the film three stars out of five, describing it as having a “joyfully silly high-concept premise,” which may be a “ludicrous mash-up” of ideas, but also “refreshing and fun to see such a gonzo, go-for-broke approach.”
The New York Times critic Robert Daniels noted that “Hartnett and Chandran’s laid-back chemistry steady the film’s turbulent tonal shifts, adding a punch that the shakily choreographed action lacks.”
Many reviewers have drawn comparisons to other action films set in confined spaces, particularly Bullet Train and elements of the John Wick franchise, though most agree that Fight or Flight establishes its own identity despite these influences.
Awards and Nominations
As a recently released film, Fight or Flight has not yet been eligible for many major awards. However, industry insiders speculate that the film’s stunt work and fight choreography could receive recognition in technical categories as awards season approaches.
Fun Facts and Trivia
- According to Josh Hartnett in interviews, Fight or Flight comes “from the same company that did John Wick,” referring to some of the production team’s previous work.
- The film includes a classic Wilhelm Scream at the start of the movie in the footage they review about “The Ghost” in Bangkok.
- Fight Choreographer Brahim Chab previously worked on Monkey Man and has collaborated with action stars including Jackie Chan, Donnie Yen, Keanu Reeves, and Jean-Claude Van Damme.
- Both Fight Choreographer Brahim Chab and Stunt Coordinator Alain Moussi have served as stunt doubles for Jean-Claude Van Damme on different projects.
- The airplane scenes were primarily filmed on a constructed set in Hungary rather than in an actual aircraft.
- Josh Hartnett underwent significant physical training for the role, performing many of his own stunts despite the physically demanding nature of the shoot.
- The film contains over 40 different on-screen “kills,” placing it among the higher body counts for mainstream action films released in 2025.
Where to Watch
Fight or Flight is currently playing in theaters across the United States after its May 9, 2025 release. It was previously released in the United Kingdom on February 28, 2025, through Sky Cinema.
The film is expected to become available on digital platforms for rental and purchase in July 2025, with streaming service availability to be announced. Currently, it has been confirmed that the film will eventually stream on Lionsgate Play in select regions.
For the most up-to-date viewing options, check services like JustWatch or Fandango.
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This comprehensive guide to Fight or Flight covers everything from the basic plot and cast details to production insights and critical reception. Whether you’re deciding whether to see the film, looking for more information after watching, or researching for your own purposes, we’ve aimed to provide the most complete resource available online.
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Call to Action
Have you seen Fight or Flight? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below! Did you enjoy Josh Hartnett’s performance? Were you surprised by any of the plot twists? What was your favorite action sequence?
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Stay tuned for our upcoming interview with director James Madigan, where we’ll dive even deeper into the making of this high-flying action spectacle!