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WARNING: This article contains spoilers for Flight Risk.
In a notable departure from his typical roles, Mark Wahlberg steps into the shoes of a villain for the first time in almost thirty years in the action thriller Flight Risk, directed by Mel Gibson. Unlike his previous iconic roles as a hero, Wahlberg portrays Daryl Booth, a hitman posing as a pilot, featuring an eccentric haircut that adds to his character’s uniqueness. This film marks the second collaborative effort between Wahlberg and Gibson—previously seen in the biographical drama Father Stu (2022) and the comedy Daddy’s Home 2 (2017), where Gibson did not feature as an actor in this latest thriller.
Wahlberg takes the lead as Daryl Booth, a figure entrenched in crime and deceit. Disguised as a legitimate pilot, Daryl is tasked by the New York mob boss Moretti to eliminate Winston (played by Topher Grace), an accountant set to testify against him. Protecting Winston is Madolyn (Michelle Dockery), who uncovers Daryl’s true identity as the film unfolds.
Mark Wahlberg’s Character Is a Weak Villain in Flight Risk
A One-Dimensional Character: Over-the-Top but Occasionally Humorous
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The ridiculousness of Daryl Booth—and indeed, the film itself—undermines Wahlberg’s performance, rendering the villain largely unengaging. Rather than pushing boundaries, Flight Risk opts for straightforward storytelling, with the revelation of Wahlberg’s villain in the trailer stripping away much of the anticipated suspense. His infamous line, “Y’all need a pilot?”exemplifies how the character exists merely as a plot device, lacking depth and nuance. While Wahlberg’s portrayal does manage to evoke some humor and effectively convey creepiness, it does little to elevate the overall experience of the film.
Flight Risk Represents Mark Wahlberg’s First Villain Role Since Fear
An Actor Rarely Cast as a Villain in a Three-Decade Career
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Wahlberg likely relished the opportunity to tackle the character of Daryl Booth, as many actors do when stepping into a villainous role. However, it’s challenging to argue that Daryl Booth possesses the complexity that his character David McCall showcased in the 1996 thriller Fear. In that film, Wahlberg’s character embodies elements of motivation and transformation, evolving from a charming boyfriend to a dangerous predator. This arc provided a rich narrative depth absent in Flight Risk.
Fear served as Wahlberg’s inaugural lead role, following notable supporting performances in Renaissance Man (1994) and The Basketball Diaries (1995).After winning acclaim for Boogie Nights (1997), Wahlberg shifted towards protagonist roles, leaving little room for villainous portrayals. This trajectory certainly contributed to his rise in Hollywood stardom, yet it diminished opportunities for him to explore the darker facets of his acting abilities displayed in Fear.
Interestingly, Daryl Booth may be hailed as the most wicked character Wahlberg has taken on to date. In fact, he expressed remorse to his castmates for remaining in character throughout filming. According to a report by People, Wahlberg even resorted to shaving his head daily to embody his role more convincingly, highlighting his commitment—regrettably, this dedication did not yield a more compelling final product.
“I was locked into the part the whole time. So if we weren’t shooting, I was like either off in the corner by myself or I just would kind of go back to my little dressing room and just sit there. I was like the guy who was like constantly picking at them, poking them and prodding them, you know, from the back of the plane the whole entire time. I apologized at the end because I wasn’t very engaging off camera or outside of shooting, but I was just in [that] head space.”
Why Wahlberg’s Villain in Flight Risk Falls Short Compared to Fear
A Script That Lacks Depth: Limitations on Wahlberg’s Performance
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Wahlberg made a genuine effort to portray the malevolent Daryl Booth, yet the shortcomings in Flight Risk stem primarily from the filmmakers’ approach rather than his performance. An actor’s ability to create a nuanced character is inherently tied to the screenplay’s quality, and Daryl is portrayed as a simplistic villain, focused solely on his mission.
For a more intriguing narrative, Daryl could have benefitted from additional complexities or human attributes that would inject unpredictability into the story. Unfortunately, he resembles a one-dimensional threat—a mere force of chaos, resembling a caricature rather than a fully realized character in Flight Risk.
Source: People
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