New Movies: Fight or Flight (2024) by James Madigan: High-Octane Action with a Heart

Core Summary: Airborne Redemption Fight or Flight (2024) thrusts former Secret Service agent Lucas Reyes into a high-stakes, action-packed mission aboard a transcontinental flight. Hired to secure a mysterious hacker known as "The Ghost" for a clean slate, Reyes soon discovers the plane is teeming with assassins vying for a bounty on his target. This action-comedy blends relentless, inventive combat sequences within a confined space with moments of unexpected humor and genuine character development, as Reyes fights not just for survival, but for a chance at redemption and a return to a normal life.

Summary Short: Mayhem at 30,000 Feet A disgraced ex-agent, Lucas Reyes, is tasked with safely bringing a high-value hacker, "The Ghost," from Bangkok to San Francisco. His mission turns into a non-stop battle for survival when he realizes the plane is filled with assassins, all after the same target, forcing him into a relentless fight for redemption.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13652286/

Link Review: https://thefilmstage.com/fight-or-flight-review-aviation-thriller-leans-on-the-sturdy-charm-of-josh-hartnett/

About movie: https://fightorflight-film.com/

Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/fight-or-flight-2025 (US), https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/fight-or-flight-2025 (Canada), https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/fight-or-flight-2025 (UK), https://www.justwatch.com/de/Film/fight-or-flight-2025 (Germany)

Detailed Summary: A Battle for Freedom Above the Clouds Fight or Flight centers on Lucas Reyes, a former Secret Service agent living in exile in Bangkok, haunted by his past and struggling with alcoholism. He is offered a chance at redemption and a clean slate by his former agency, represented by his ex-girlfriend Katherine Brunt.

• The Mission: Reyes is tasked with a seemingly straightforward mission: board a commercial flight from Bangkok to San Francisco, locate a high-value, mysterious hacker known only as "The Ghost," and bring them safely into custody.

• A Plane Full of Assassins: The complexity of his mission escalates dramatically when Reyes discovers that the plane is populated by numerous other assassins, each hired to eliminate "The Ghost" for a hefty bounty. He quickly becomes a target himself.

• Relentless Action: The film transforms into a non-stop, chaotic series of fights within the confined space of the aircraft, utilizing everyday items as improvised weapons.

• The Ghost's Identity and Motives: As the story progresses, Reyes uncovers the true identity of "The Ghost" (Isha, played by Charithra Chandran) and learns about their altruistic, anti-corruption motives, which involve exposing child trafficking and slave labor, leading Reyes to question his original allegiances.

• Character-Driven Action: Despite the frenetic pace, the film maintains a focus on Lucas Reyes's personal journey for redemption, his desire to escape his past, and the unexpected bond he forms with Isha.

• Humor and Gore: The movie balances its intense, often gory, action with comedic moments, creating a blend of "John Wick-meets-comedy."

• Escalating Stakes: The fight for survival on the plane gradually reveals higher stakes, touching upon themes of justice, morality, and the lengths individuals will go for freedom.

Plot summary

• Exiled Agent's Last Chance: Lucas Reyes, a disgraced ex-Secret Service agent, is offered a chance to clear his name and return home from his self-imposed exile in Bangkok.

• High-Value Target: His mission is to identify and protect "The Ghost," a mysterious international hacker, on a flight from Bangkok to San Francisco.

• Plane Full of Killers: Complicating matters significantly, Reyes quickly discovers that the plane is filled with numerous assassins, all with a $10 million bounty on "The Ghost's" head, and many also targeting Reyes.

• Relentless Combat: The flight becomes a series of continuous, often brutal, hand-to-hand combat sequences, with Reyes using his martial arts skills and improvising weapons from the plane's environment.

• Unveiling The Ghost: Reyes eventually identifies "The Ghost" as Isha, and learns that her "terrorist" activities are, in fact, aimed at exposing and dismantling corrupt organizations involved in child trafficking and slavery.

• Shifting Allegiances: This revelation challenges Reyes's own ethics, leading him to protect Isha not just from the bounty hunters but also from his former handler, Katherine Brunt, whose agency is revealed to be working for a powerful corporation rather than for justice.

• Supporting Characters: Flight attendants Isha (Charithra Chandran), Royce (Danny Ashok), and Garrett (Hughie O'Donnell) become entangled in the chaos, with Isha proving to be resourceful and a vital ally.

• Over-the-Top Action: The action escalates, featuring outlandish and gory moments, including the use of chainsaws and various improvised weapons within the confined space.

• Quest for Redemption: At its core, the plot follows Reyes's personal quest for redemption, as he fights to get his life back and ultimately makes moral choices that align with protecting the innocent.

Director's Vision

• Action Serving Character: Director James Madigan, with a background in visual effects and as a second-unit director for major action films, intended for the action scenes to serve character development and plot points, rather than being mere spectacle.

• Underdog Story with Real Stakes: Madigan expressed a "soft spot for underdog stories," aiming to depict Lucas Reyes as a "hapless" hero who feels the struggle of his fights, reminiscent of classic action heroes like John McClane or Indiana Jones.

• Varying Confined Action: Recognizing the challenge of a single, confined location (the plane), Madigan prioritized varying the fight sequences to maintain audience engagement despite the spatial limitations.

• Blend of Genres: The vision was to blend action, humor, and gore, creating a tone similar to films like Nobody, where the absurdity is embraced for entertainment.

• Controlled Chaos: While allowing for improvisation with fight choreographers and VFX teams, Madigan ensured the chaos was visually "simple but effective," leveraging "The Blue Danube" for a slow-motion, pandemonium-filled opening.

• Avoiding Irresponsibility: Madigan consciously avoided showing irresponsible ways to get weapons onto a plane, reinforcing the film's "absurd" tone where realism takes a backseat to fun.

• Emphasis on Fun: Ultimately, the director's vision was to deliver a "purely enjoyable romp" and a "total gas," leaning into the ridiculousness of the premise to provide high-octane entertainment.

Themes

• Redemption: Lucas Reyes's journey is fundamentally about seeking redemption for his past actions and regaining a sense of purpose and freedom.

• Justice vs. Corruption: The discovery of "The Ghost's" true motives reveals a central theme of fighting against deep-seated corruption, particularly in relation to child trafficking and slavery, contrasting with the seemingly legitimate motives of government agencies.

• Survival: The most immediate theme is the desperate fight for survival against overwhelming odds within the confined space of the airplane.

• Trust and Betrayal: Reyes must navigate who to trust among the various factions and individuals on the plane, including his former handler and the enigmatic "Ghost."

• Identity and Purpose: Both Lucas Reyes and "The Ghost" are characters seeking to define themselves beyond their labels—Reyes as more than a disgraced agent, and Isha as a force for good rather than a terrorist.

• Confinement and Escape: The airplane setting itself becomes a metaphor for confinement, with the characters literally and figuratively fighting for their escape and freedom.

• The Greater Good: The film touches on the idea of sacrificing personal freedom for a greater moral cause, as Reyes ultimately chooses to protect Isha's mission.

Key success factors

• Josh Hartnett's Performance: Hartnett's charismatic, physically imposing, and comedically talented performance as Lucas Reyes is widely cited as the film's strongest asset, making the protagonist endearing and carrying the movie through its more outlandish moments.

• Relentless and Inventive Action: Despite being confined to an airplane, the film delivers non-stop, well-choreographed fight sequences with creative use of the environment and improvised weapons, maintaining high energy.

• Effective Blend of Action and Comedy: The film successfully integrates humor into its violent narrative, preventing it from becoming overly grim and contributing to its "ridiculous fun" appeal.

• Compelling Protagonist: Lucas Reyes's journey of redemption, combined with his quirky personality and fighting skills, makes him a highly engaging and rooting-worthy character.

• Fresh Take on a Confined Setting: While comparisons to Bullet Train are made, the film manages to carve out its own identity by focusing on a different character dynamic and an unwavering commitment to its absurd premise.

• High Production Value for its Genre: Despite potentially being a mid-budget film, the action sequences and overall execution convey a sense of high-octane excitement and visual flair.

Summary Short: Mixed but Engaged Critical Response Fight or Flight received a mixed critical reception, with praise heavily directed at Josh Hartnett's performance and the film's commitment to high-octane, over-the-top action and humor. Critics acknowledged its entertainment value as a "dumb fun" action flick, but some found the plot thin and the confined action eventually monotonous.

Awards and Nominations While Fight or Flight does not appear to have major film industry awards like Oscars or Golden Globes, it has been recognized within the public relations and advertising industry. Notably, "Fight or Flight" (the agency, which collaborated on a campaign) was a finalist in the 2024 Global SABRE Awards for its "50 Shades of Ginger" campaign for Roland DG and was also named among the "50 Best Agencies in the UK" by PRovoke Media, showcasing its impactful work in a different field. There is no public record of direct film awards or nominations for the movie Fight or Flight (2024) itself based on general search.

Critics Reception

• SF Chronicle Datebook (Mick LaSalle): Gave a largely negative review, stating that Hartnett "made the wrong choice" in starring in the film. LaSalle found the opening dialogue amateurish and the film's delay in establishing stakes problematic. He criticized the violence for being "cranked up to 11 after about 30 minutes" without impact, leading to "empty spectacle that becomes monotonous." He suggested the film was "making fun of itself, and maybe of the audience too."

• AV Club: While acknowledging Hartnett's "terrific performance" and ability to "drag the movie through its saggier sequences," the review found the film's overall quality lacking. It praised the "promise of creative fight choreography in a cramped space" but noted that the novelty wore off, leading to action becoming "eye-rollingly rote" with "no fresh ideas." The plot was described as "insultingly thin" and a "flimsiest of rails to hang all that bloodletting on."

• Film Festival Today (Adam Vaughn): Provided a more positive take, titling their review "“Fight or Flight” Delivers Ridiculous Fun." Vaughn praised director James Madigan's "brisk combination of action and violence" blended with "crisp comedic timing." He found the film to "succeeds in wildly entertaining the viewer for most of its runtime, delivering exciting fight choreography," even if the concept was "fairly unbelievable."

• CBR: Highly positive, declaring "Josh Hartnett Is 2025's Best Action Hero." The review commended Hartnett's ability to create a "complex who's easy to love" and his "skill in hand-to-hand combat." It praised the film for being "surprisingly fun and violent," working as a "proof of concept for Hartnett" as an action star, and delivering "more heart than humor." It concluded that Fight or Flight "is one of the best action films of 2025, and the start of a potential new franchise."

• Sarah G. Vincent Views: Highlighted Josh Hartnett as the main reason the movie works, even as it becomes "wackier" with "increasingly impractical outfits." The review noted that the action is "non-stop, outlandish and gorific," and while the limited fight space was a con, the camerawork and fight scenes were "terrific." It appreciated the attempt to "imbue a sense of meaning to the madness by making Lucas' backstory and ethics fit nicely with the Ghost's tragic history."

Overall Summary of Critics Reception: Critical reception for Fight or Flight is polarized. Reviewers largely agree on Josh Hartnett's strong and engaging performance, which is often cited as the film's saving grace. The film is commended for its relentless action and attempts at dark humor, with some critics finding it to be an entertaining, albeit absurd, romp. However, others heavily criticized its thin plot, repetitive action sequences within the confined setting, and inconsistent tone, suggesting it prioritizes spectacle over narrative depth. It appears to be a film that appeals strongly to those seeking pure, over-the-top action-comedy and can suspend disbelief, while frustrating those looking for a more coherent or impactful story.

Reviews

• In The Seats: Describes Fight or Flight as an "action-packed popcorn movie that men will enjoy more than women," suggesting it's best viewed with "disbelief suspended" and "in the right company." While acknowledging Hartnett's strong performance, the review criticizes the story for being "ludicrous" given the airplane setting, and finds the overall plot "bonkers." It predicts the film won't be a theatrical hit but could become a "cult classic" at home.

• Film Festival Today: Praises the film for "deliver[ing] ridiculous fun" and a "brisk combination of action and violence" with "crisp comedic timing." It notes that while the story's progression becomes predictable after an early reveal, the "healthy doses of heads getting bashed in, blood splattering, and laughs make Fight or Flight a trip worth taking."

• Sarah G. Vincent Views: Found that "the fight scenes in “Fight or Flight” are terrific, and the bounty hunters have a lot of personality." It also appreciated how the film attempts to add meaning to the chaos by connecting Lucas's backstory with "The Ghost's" tragic history, especially regarding themes of slavery and child trafficking.

Overall Summary of Reviews: Reviews for Fight or Flight highlight its identity as a high-octane, often over-the-top action-comedy. Many commend the engaging lead performance by Josh Hartnett and the creative, though sometimes repetitive, fight choreography within the challenging airplane setting. While acknowledged for its "ridiculous fun" and ability to deliver adrenaline and laughs, some reviews caution viewers to manage their expectations regarding plot depth and realism, suggesting it's best enjoyed as a pure, unadulterated action spectacle.

Box Office Fight or Flight has garnered a Worldwide Box Office total of $4,032,648. Domestically (North America), it has grossed $3,522,025, representing 87.3% of its total revenue. Its domestic opening weekend on May 9, 2025, brought in $2,002,081 across 2,153 theaters. Internationally, the film collected $510,623 (12.7% of its total), with its earliest release being in Croatia on April 3, 2025 ($30,490 total gross). Other international territories contributing to its gross include Russia/CIS ($456,159), South Africa ($20,675), and Lithuania ($3,299).

Production Summary Fight or Flight is an action-comedy film directed by James Madigan, written by Brooks McLaren and D.J. Cotrona, with a focus on high-octane sequences within a confined airplane setting, and stars Josh Hartnett in a central action role.

Production companies Specific production companies were not explicitly named in the search results, however, the producers listed are Tai Duncan, Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, and Christopher Milburn. The distributor, Vertical Entertainment, is often involved in production or financing.

Sales companies Information regarding specific sales companies for Fight or Flight (the movie) is not readily available through general search results, as the term "Fight or Flight" also refers to a prominent B2B communications agency. Such details are typically found in industry-specific databases like IMDbPro.

Distribution companies Vertical Entertainment (United States) is the primary domestic distributor for Fight or Flight, handling its theatrical and digital releases in the US.

Release date on streaming Fight or Flight is confirmed to be available for sale and rental on digital and VOD (Video On Demand) platforms starting June 17, 2025.

Theatrical Release The film had its theatrical release in the United States on May 9, 2025. Its earliest international release was in Croatia on April 3, 2025.

Why to recommend this movie

• Josh Hartnett's Resurgent Action Role: It's a fantastic opportunity to see Josh Hartnett back in a dynamic, action-hero role, showcasing his charisma, physical presence, and comedic timing in a way that many critics have praised.

• Non-Stop Action for Adrenaline Junkies: If you enjoy films with continuous, over-the-top action sequences and don't mind suspending disbelief for pure entertainment, this movie delivers constant thrills within a unique, confined setting.

• Humorous Tone: The film successfully injects comedic elements into its violent premise, providing laughs and a lighter touch that distinguishes it from purely grim action flicks.

• Unique Setting for Action: The airplane as a primary setting forces creative and inventive fight choreography, making the action feel distinct and challenging.

• "Dumb Fun" Appeal: For viewers seeking a straightforward, high-energy action-comedy without a heavily complex plot, Fight or Flight promises a good time and a solid popcorn movie experience.

Why to Watch Movie

• See Josh Hartnett Excel: Witness a strong comeback performance from Josh Hartnett in a genre where he truly shines, proving his capabilities as a leading action star.

• Action in a Confined Space: Experience creative and intense fight choreography as characters battle in the narrow aisles and compartments of an airplane, pushing the boundaries of spatial action.

• Lighthearted Action-Comedy: If you appreciate action films that don't take themselves too seriously and offer genuine laughs alongside the violence, this movie is tailored for that.

• Pure Entertainment: Sometimes, you just want to shut off your brain and enjoy a chaotic, fast-paced ride. Fight or Flight offers exactly that kind of escapism.

• Intriguing Premise: The idea of a plane full of assassins all after the same target creates immediate tension and a compelling setup for the ensuing mayhem.

Movie Trend Fight or Flight is following the "Contained Action Thriller" trend. This trend features high-stakes action primarily taking place within a single, often confined, location (like a plane, train, or building). It relies on innovative choreography, escalating tension, and character dynamics to maximize impact within limited physical space, often blending elements of action, thriller, and sometimes dark comedy.

Social Trend The film subtly touches upon the "Digital Activism and Whistleblower" social trend, as "The Ghost" is a hacker who uses their skills to expose and fight against corruption, child trafficking, and slave labor. This aligns with a growing public awareness and concern for digital privacy, the power of information, and the role of individuals or groups in revealing societal injustices through technological means.

Final Verdict Fight or Flight is an unapologetically entertaining action-comedy that thrives on its over-the-top premise and the magnetic performance of Josh Hartnett. While its plot may be thin and its confined action occasionally repetitive, the film commits fully to its chaotic vision, delivering a high-octane ride with plenty of laughs and inventive fight sequences. It's a testament to its lead actor's resurgence and a solid choice for anyone seeking a no-holds-barred, "dumb fun" action flick that doesn't skimp on the violence or the charm.

Recommendations for film makers

• Leverage Actor Strengths: Clearly identify and maximize the unique talents and appeal of your lead actors, as Josh Hartnett's performance is a key driver of Fight or Flight's success.

• Innovate Within Constraints: When using a confined setting, dedicate significant effort to creative choreography and scenario development to keep the action fresh and engaging throughout the runtime.

• Embrace a Clear Tone: If aiming for an action-comedy, ensure the blend of humor and violence is consistent and intentional, preventing tonal whiplash.

• Prioritize Entertainment Value: For certain genres, pure entertainment and a thrilling ride can outweigh complex narrative depth. Know your target audience and deliver on those expectations.

• Smart Use of VFX: Even with a fast-paced, high-action film, effective visual effects (as hinted at by the editor's comments) can elevate the impact of chaotic scenes.

Recommendations for Movie Industry

• Support Genre Blending: Encourage and invest in projects that confidently mix genres like action and comedy, as these can find a strong audience looking for fresh takes.

• Recognize Talent Resurgence: Be open to actors making comebacks or exploring new genres, as demonstrated by Josh Hartnett's successful turn in this action role.

• Value Pure Entertainment: Not every film needs to be a profound cinematic masterpiece. There's a significant market for well-executed, high-energy entertainment that prioritizes fun.

• Explore Confined Action: The success of films set in limited spaces (like Fight or Flight or Bullet Train) shows a viable subgenre that can deliver high thrills on potentially tighter budgets compared to sprawling epics.

• Digital Release Strategy: A swift digital/VOD release following a theatrical run can effectively capitalize on buzz and reach a broader audience, as seen with Fight or Flight's release plan.

Final Conclusions Fight or Flight successfully delivers on its promise of an action-packed, often absurd, and undeniably fun cinematic experience. James Madigan crafts a thrilling ride that benefits immensely from Josh Hartnett's charismatic lead. While it embraces its over-the-top nature and doesn't delve into deep narrative complexity, it stands as a testament to effective genre filmmaking that prioritizes audience enjoyment. It's a strong entry in the contained action thriller subgenre, proving that a clear vision, inventive action, and a compelling lead can make for a highly entertaining ride, even at 30,000 feet.