There’s something comforting about a 90-minute action movie. They’re the kind of films that can signal the health of the Hollywood ecosystem: mid-budget thrillers that move fast, entertain boldly, and don’t waste your time. If the movie industry can still regularly produce punchy, effective action films with decent stars and a seat-shaking sound mix, it means things can’t be all that bad. Fight or Flight is exactly that kind of movie — not genre-defining, not without its flaws, but an undeniably good time.

Starring Josh Hartnett, who is, without question, the backbone of the film. His performance is charismatic and grounded. If you’ve seen him in M. Night Shyamalan’s Trap (2024), you might’ve clocked the start of a comeback. One that positions him as a modern B-movie star, the kind of guy who can make a ridiculous concept work by sheer movie star presence. In this one, he’s bleach blonde, bruised, and effortlessly charming. It’s hard not to root for a guy who looks like that and still commits to every punch, stare, and one-liner.

The film takes place mostly aboard a hijacked plane, which works in its favor. The action, while not revolutionary, is well-choreographed and takes full advantage of the tight, claustrophobic setting. Gunfights, hand-to-hand combat, and frantic back-and-forths with passengers are all heightened by the environment. You can feel the pressure of being thousands of feet in the air with nowhere to run. And the film wisely never overthinks itself. It leans into the absurdity, much like John Wick (2014), and treats even its most serious situations with a winking sense of fun.

There’s a version of this movie that spends too much time building out a larger universe. And unfortunately, Fight or Flight starts to drift toward that version. The more time spent off the plane, the more convoluted the story becomes. Flashbacks to a villainous ex-girlfriend running a tech corporation feel underwritten and disconnected. The motivations are vague, and her presence slows the film down rather than raising the stakes. 

When the movie sticks with Hartnett and co-star Charithra Chandran, it works, especially because their dynamic is genuinely engaging. She more than holds her own, bringing humor and heart to a role that could’ve easily been forgettable. Best known for Bridgerton Season 2, Chandran’s jump to action cinema is exciting to watch. She keeps up with Hartnett beat for beat, and their chemistry helps elevate the whole film.

Stylistically, Fight or Flight doesn’t make a strong impression. That’s partly due to this being the feature debut of director James Madigan. While the action is competent and occasionally clever, the film lacks a distinct visual identity. You won’t find a bold aesthetic like Bullet Train (2022) or the clean polish of something like Mission: Impossible (1996). But what the film lacks in style, it makes up for in self-awareness. The soundtrack is pulpy and often cheeky, leaning into the film’s goofier moments and helping it avoid taking itself too seriously.

Still, comparisons to other single-location action films are inevitable. Speed (1994), Air Force One (1997), and Red Eye (2005) loom large in the DNA of Fight or Flight. It doesn’t outdo any of them — nor does it try to. Instead, it takes the tropes and conventions we already love and puts its scrappy spin on them. It’s derivative, sure. But that doesn’t stop it from being effective. Its sense of humor, well-paced action, and lead performances give it more weight than it probably deserves, and I mean that in the best way. And for a debut feature, that scrappiness feels more like a promise than a flaw, suggesting that with a bit more visual flair, Madigan could have something truly special up his sleeve.

And then there’s Josh Hartnett’s hair. Bleached within an inch of its life, the kind of blonde that can only exist in action movie logic. It’s absurd and perfect. It tells you everything you need to know: this movie isn’t going for realism. It’s going for vibes, and Hartnett has them in spades.

By the time the credits roll, Fight or Flight hasn’t reinvented the wheel, but it never claims to. It’s a compact, self-aware ride that knows exactly what it is: an excuse to cheer, wince, and laugh in the dark. That’s why it works. In an industry bloated with endless sequels, IP franchises, and three-hour sagas, there’s something refreshing about a film that comes in under 100 minutes and knows how to entertain. Fight or Flight may not be the best action movie of the year, but it’s one of the most enjoyable to catch in a theater, and that’s more than enough.

Review Courtesy of Jake Fittipaldi

Feature Image Credit to Vertical via Empire