Flight Risk, the latest action-thriller brought to life by Mel Gibson’s directorial guidance and production, has stumbled out of the gate with a disappointing score on Rotten Tomatoes. Scheduled for theatrical release in the United States on January 24, the movie’s storyline revolves around a pilot navigating the treacherous Alaskan wilderness while transporting a U. S.Marshal and a crucial government witness. This film marks a rare departure for Mark Wahlberg as he steps into a villainous role. Although the trailer promises adrenaline-pumping action sequences and an impressive ensemble cast, the critical response has been less than enthusiastic.
The film currently holds a dismal Rotten Tomatoes score of only 26%, categorizing it as ‘rotten’.This unfortunate rating places it as the lowest-rated film of Gibson’s directing career and only his second movie to achieve a ‘rotten’ designation out of his entire directorial portfolio. The first was the 2004 biblical drama, The Passion of the Christ, which maintained a score of 50%.This new project vastly underperforms compared to Gibson’s last effort, the Oscar-winning war film Hacksaw Ridge, which garnered a fresh score of 84% and widespread acclaim.
What This Means For Flight Risk’s Theatrical Run & Gibson’s Directing Legacy
The Movie Could Stutter Due To Poor Reviews, But Things Can Change
| Movie | Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score | Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|---|---|---|
| The Man Without a Face (1993) | 68% | 64% |
| Braveheart (1995) | 76% | 85% |
| The Passion of the Christ (2004) | 50% | 80% |
| Apocalypto (2006) | 65% | 79% |
| Hacksaw Ridge (2016) | 84% | 91% |
| Flight Risk (2025) | 26% | – |
This project represents Gibson’s first foray into directing a pure action movie. Given his storied background as an action star, expectations were naturally high for its success. While Gibson’s reputation as a director has been firmly established, this latest venture comes nearly a decade after his last directorial effort, leading to lofty anticipations. However, reviews indicate that the film fails to deliver on several fronts, which may result in a longer hiatus for Gibson before he returns to the director’s chair.
Our Verdict On Whether Flight Risk Can Turn Its Rating Around
It’s Early Days, But Signs Do Not Look Good
While early unfavorable ratings can be detrimental, they are not always permanent. History shows that several films initially receive poor reviews but later gain traction with audiences, exemplified by The Passion of the Christ. Although Flight Risk lacks the profound themes and artistic depth of previous Gibson films like Braveheart, Apocalypto, and Hacksaw Ridge, it still holds the potential for a successful box office run. However, achieving this turnaround will undoubtedly be a challenge.
Source: Rotten Tomatoes
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