Forget everything familiar about suave secret operatives like James Bond, Jason Bourne, or Ethan Hunt. The protagonist of Fight or Flight, portrayed by Josh Hartnett, aligns more with the likes of Austin Powers or Brad Pitt’s unfortunate assassin in Bullet Train — a highly skilled yet charmingly quirky agent who’s a lot less suave than he thinks.
Directed by James Madigan and written by Brooks McLaren (How It Ends) and D.J. Cotrona, Fight or Flight injects an electrifying dose of chaotic humor into the spy thriller genre. The action primarily unfolds on a luxury airplane brimming with eccentric assassins, each equipped with unique skills, weapons, and quirks. Imagine Snakes on a Plane, but replace the snakes with contract killers and feature a hero who would prefer to be anywhere else.
What’s the outcome? A wild, unpredictable journey that’s just as hilarious as it is thrilling — all contained within the constricted space of an airborne cabin.
A Spy Comedy That Takes Flight
Josh Hartnett plays Lucas Reyes, a disgraced former American agent living off the grid — and off the handle. When we first encounter him, he’s a disheveled, hungover pedicab driver who seems better suited for resting than for heroics. However, when his frosty former colleague Katherine Brunt (Katee Sackhoff) presents him with a chance for redemption, Lucas begrudgingly accepts one last mission.
The assignment: apprehend a cryptic cyber-terrorist known only as “The Ghost,” who’s been creating chaos for global governments through digital mayhem. The twist? No one has seen The Ghost, and Lucas isn’t the only one on the trail. A plane full of deadly mercenaries is also pursuing the target — and Lucas must locate and safeguard The Ghost before someone else reaches them first.
Even the helpful flight attendants, like Isha (Charithra Chandran of Bridgerton fame), are left in the dark, heightening the confusion and disorder.
Hartnett’s Slapstick Spy Shines
Lucas might have once been a top-notch agent, but now he’s a drunken disaster who prefers to brawl under the influence — be it with champagne, whiskey, or even frog venom. This results in a hilariously unconventional fighting approach, as he fumbles through skirmishes in airplane restrooms, tussles with a feline-eyed assassin (Nóra Trokán) in the aisles, and turns everything from seat cushions to fellow passengers into makeshift armaments.
Thanks to an exceptional stunt crew, Hartnett handles most of his own action sequences, ensuring his expressive face remains front and center. He embraces the absurdity of the situation, delivering a performance full of comedic timing, physical slapstick, and a warped sense of humor — particularly during a drug-induced hallucination that morphs a vicious fight into a technicolor fever dream.
A Colorful Cast of Killers
The film’s supporting assassins might lack extensive backstories, but they don’t require them. Their flamboyant costumes, eccentric behaviors, and distinctive weapons make all the statements needed. From martial arts robes to eerie contact lenses, each killer contributes to the film’s quirky vibe. Although Fight or Flight doesn’t immerse in the intricate world-building of John Wick or Bullet Train, it remains fast-paced and fun, allowing the ensemble to play off Hartnett’s frenetic appeal.
Sackhoff, meanwhile, infuses a steely intensity into her role as Katherine, grounding the film’s sillier moments. Her character acts as a stark contrast to Lucas — a reminder of the operative he once was and the straight-laced spy he’s joyfully abandoned. Whether delivering exposition or scolding meditative individuals in a park, Sackhoff commands the screen.
High-Flying Action, Grounded Laughs
When the action is confined to the airplane, Fight or Flight truly excels — offering finely tuned fight sequences, clever utilization of in-flight props, and witty exchanges, especially between Lucas and the frustrated Isha. The moments on the ground, where Katherine and her partner (Julian Kostov) manage the mission’s logistics, don’t quite capture the airborne euphoria. Nevertheless, Sackhoff’s performance keeps these scenes captivating.
In the end, Fight or Flight doesn’t strive for the intricate storytelling of a spy saga or the emotional nuance of a character study. Instead, it embraces its essence as a delightfully exaggerated action-comedy. It might not boast the rich development of Austin Powers or the character focus of Bullet Train, but it fulfills its promise of zany chaos, outrageous setups, and Josh Hartnett enjoying every minute.
After all, how many films feature a washed-up spy brandishing a chainsaw mid-flight? Fasten your seatbelts — or miss the fun.
Fight or Flight premieres in theaters on May 9.