“Fight or Flight” Delivers Ridiculous Fun

Fight or Flight (James Madigan, 2024) 3 out of 5 stars

The latest film to place its setting 30,000 feet. in the air, director James Madigan’s first feature film brings a brisk combination of action and violence and blends it with crisp comedic timing and a splash of deep, thoughtful messages. The action-comedy follows a washed-up Secret Service agent turned mercenary, Lucas Reyes (Josh Hartnett, Most Wanted), as he is brought out of hiding by his government-agent ex-girlfriend (Katee Sackhoff, The Mandalorian series) to hunt down a high-value hacker called The Ghost (aka “Ishna,” played by Charithra Chandran, Eternals), who has boarded a plane to San Francisco. Soon, Reyes discovers that he is not alone on the flight: an entire slew of hired mercenaries have also boarded to pursue Ishna/Ghost, and he must battle through the entire lot of them to keep her safe and deliver her to the U.S. government.

Sound like a whole lot for one film? That is because Madigan’s Fight or Flight leans on an entertaining-yet-absurd concept of John Wick-meets-comedy. Hartnett plays a charming, hardcore, yet bumbling, hero, carrying the bulk of the humor by portraying the oversaturated character trope of the fallen man rising up from booze and low self-esteem. Chandran’s performance as a witty and resourceful Ishna is excellent, though some of the film’s writing weighs down the wittiness. And rounding out the top three main characters, Sackhoff proves powerful and a solid catalyst for major events in the story.

As a first feature, Fight or Flight succeeds in wildly entertaining the viewer for most of its runtime, delivering exciting fight choreography much of it. While a vast majority of the story’s progression tries its best to surprise the audience, its biggest thrill—locating the mysterious “Ghost”—is revealed early, and the rest of the plot slinks into a more predictable tone. Accompanied by a vast array of plot conveniences, the script is at its best when one suspends disbelief and enjoys the ride (plane ride, to be exact). The healthy doses of heads getting bashed in, blood splattering, and laughs make Fight or Flight a trip worth taking, even if the overall impression and concept makes it fairly unbelievable. While the movie may not leave a strong impression by its conclusion, it offers adrenaline, laughs, and a good time.

Adam Vaughn

Adam Vaughn is a graduate of the Film & Moving Image program at Stevenson University, with a focus in Cinematography and Production. He also has a minor in Theater and Media Performance. Adam works as a freelance photographer and videographer, focusing his craft on creating compelling photographic and cinematic imagery. Adam is excited to join the Film Festival Today team and explore the world of cinema and visual arts.