It’s been a busy last few years for Josh Hartnett after making his return to the big screen, from the Oscar-dominating “Oppenheimer” to M. Night Shyamalan’s “Trap.”
Now, Hartnett takes on the role of a mercenary hired to bring in a target in the fast-paced thriller “Fight or Flight,” set aboard a plane with dozens of killers who do not intend to let the target land alive. You can definitely recognize the comparisons it draws from “Bullet Train” and the “John Wick” franchise, but it lacks the substance those exude.
“Fight or Flight” displays great fight choreography and some quippy lines, making it an entertaining watch, but it gets pulled back by a weaker script.
“Fight or Flight” (2025) Review | Josh Hartnett’s Action-Packed Plane Flick
Like “John Wick” Meets “Bullet Train”
This might be the most start-stop type of film I’ve seen in a while. One minute, you’re going full speed and people’s limbs are flying off. The next minute, it stops on a dime, and you receive a bunch of filler dialogue that takes the wind out of your sails. Not exactly the best formula for a film, but when the action is turned up to 100, it almost makes the dialogue pieces disappear from memory. Almost.
If you like the brutality of “John Wick” than you’ll most definitely enjoy the action pieces of “Fight or Flight.” The fight sequences are well done, but definitely not for the faint of heart. They’re limb-chopping over the top, and the blood runs wild. Is it over stylized? Is it too far over the top? At times, you bet. But it’s extremely entertaining when this film decides to go full throttle.
The Josh Hartnett Renaissance in Motion
I’m here for the Josh Hartnett renaissance. Seeing him back in major motion pictures has been a delight, and even in this low-budget affair, you can tell he’s having a blast. He’s determined, has some solid one-liners and when he gets into the mode of the mission, he is relentless.
There’s something about seeing an actor you watched growing up make a comeback that tickles you. Hartnett has been a favorite of mine since the beginning. From “The Faculty,” “Pearl Harbor,” “Black Hawk Down” and “Lucky Number Slevin,” he has always shown range. Hopefully this continues and he gets back into the limelight once again.
A Fun Watch, But Could’ve Been More
Had the script been a bit stronger and the dialogue not slowed down the pacing, this film would most likely have gotten a better reception in theaters this past summer. It’s not a bad film, but it just didn’t feel complete. Having the open ending left me wanting more and didn’t close many doors. That being said, this is a fun movie. If you need a “turn off your brain and just watch the action” thriller, then “Fight or Flight” should scratch that itch.
“Fight or Flight” is now available to stream on Paramount+
Thanks for reading my “Fight or Flight (2025) Review | Josh Hartnett’s Action-Packed Plane Flick.” Don’t forget to follow me on “Letterboxd,” the movie lovers’ social media platform to review films, create lists, save a watch list and communicate with other movie lovers.
You can also find me on Twitter/X @snag1025 for more entertainment content and reviews!
