Mark Wahlberg’s latest Mark Wahlberg Flight Risk thriller has landed on HBO Max, drawing new viewers to a divisive film that embodies the actor’s dedication to transformative roles. Premiering on the streamer on November 26th, the action thriller Flight Risk puts Wahlberg in a remarkably different light, featuring his fully immersive performance and unpredictable style.
Wahlberg’s Dramatic Transformation for a Villainous Role
Creating buzz for his unwavering approach to acting, Mark Wahlberg has once again demonstrated that he doesn’t shy away from bold physical transformations. After previously gaining significant weight to portray a boxer-turned-priest in Father Stu and taking on roles that made him nearly unrecognizable, Wahlberg continues to commit fully to his characters. For Flight Risk, he takes a leap back into the world of antagonistic roles—a first since his 1996 performance in Fear.
Directed by Mel Gibson, Flight Risk sees Wahlberg as a hitman under the guise of a pilot. The film’s plot unfolds on a turbulent flight, with Wahlberg’s character tasked with transporting an air marshal and a fugitive heading to trial. Chaos and suspicion mount as it becomes clear that identities and motives are far from what they seem, making for an adrenaline-fueled journey at high altitude.
In pursuit of full authenticity for his unhinged and balding pilot persona, Wahlberg opted for an extreme makeover by shaving his head instead of relying on a bald cap. This dedication is characteristic of Wahlberg. It’s an intentional choice aimed at delivering the unsettling energy required for his return to villainy and helping the character leave a strong visual impact.
The Divisive Reception of Flight Risk
Flight Risk’s arrival on HBO Max comes after a turbulent journey in theaters, where it emerged as a 2025 box office bomb by grossing just $48 million globally. While it has found a second life via streaming, the reaction to the film remains sharply divided.
The thriller boasts a critic score of 29% on Rotten Tomatoes. British film critic Mark Kermode harshly reviewed the film, calling it
one of the worst films I’ve ever seen,
Mark Kermode. However, general audiences have been somewhat more generous, giving the movie a 62% approval rating, indicating that some viewers have found entertainment in its camp value and over-the-top execution.
Despite negative assessments from many critics, some viewers have highlighted the movie’s appeal as a campy, throwback action film reminiscent of 1990s genre staples. Flight Risk is saturated with clichés, overblown dialogue, and limited character development, but it’s precisely these features that have turned it into a so-bad-it’s-good spectacle for a subset of the audience. Rather than aspiring to depth, the film leans on nostalgically explosive action and absurdity, delivering a fast-paced, almost laughable experience that appeals to those with a taste for irreverent entertainment.
The real star of this spectacle is Wahlberg himself, whose
“completely unhinged character is the best part of the movie.”
For those in search of a fun distraction rather than a serious thriller, Flight Risk offers a unique opportunity to enjoy charismatic performances, sudden twists, and set pieces that recall the unmistakable style of 90s B-movie action.
Plot and Action: Suspense and Identity on a High-Stakes Flight
Flight Risk’s story builds on a classic template: an intense journey where trust is in short supply and every character could be hiding a dangerous secret. Wahlberg’s character, a hitman masquerading as a seasoned pilot, orchestrates a tense standoff in the sky. The air marshal and the fugitive, both crucial to the plot’s twists, must navigate treachery as allegiances shift and danger escalates with each passing minute.
Mel Gibson’s direction taps into the nostalgia of action-thrillers from past decades, with pulsating sequences and stylized confrontations. The script delivers rapid-fire dialogue and classic cat-and-mouse dynamics, providing moments that are both exaggerated and, in their own way, darkly comedic. The ridiculous nature of the situations often borders on parody, inviting viewers to suspend disbelief and enjoy the wild ride.
Supporting performances help build an environment where no one is safe, and surprises lurk at every turn. Wahlberg’s daring portrayal of a pilot unraveling in midair stands out for both its intensity and willingness to embrace absurdity as a core feature rather than a flaw. The combination of familiar tropes and manic energy is central to the film’s appeal and shortcomings alike.
How Flight Risk Fits into Wahlberg and Gibson’s Film Careers
For both Wahlberg and Gibson, Flight Risk stands apart as a unique—and at times, polarizing—entry in their respective filmographies. Mel Gibson, who has often worked both in front of and behind the camera, leans heavily into stylized direction here, amplifying every twist and turn with a hefty dose of action-movie bravado. Wahlberg, meanwhile, uses this project as an opportunity to revisit his penchant for playing antagonists, but infuses this villain role with a wild flair that borders on self-parody.
Although Flight Risk doesn’t reach the heights of craftsmanship found in their most acclaimed works, it achieves a peculiar kind of entertainment value. Audiences who appreciate audacious performances and genre send-ups will find elements worth enjoying, even if the movie ultimately lands in the “forgettable” category for most mainstream viewers. The film’s “so-bad-it’s-good” standing positions it as a curiosity worth trying for those who want to see Wahlberg unleashed, or who are drawn to campy genre pieces.
Flight Risk Among the Newest Arrivals on HBO Max
The addition of Flight Risk to HBO Max’s catalog has sparked renewed curiosity in the streaming world, especially among action movie fans seeking out new or obscure titles. As part of the November programming lineup, the movie is joined by a variety of other popular films, expanding the platform’s offerings for subscribers looking for both seasonal and action-packed content.
New arrivals alongside Flight Risk this month include enduring classics like A Christmas Story and science fiction blockbusters such as Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. For those with eclectic tastes, streaming choices range from the stylish Kingsman: The Golden Circle and the animated Puss In Boots to action favorites like Sucker Punch and the war film Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo. The diverse lineup gives viewers plenty of reasons to browse the HBO Max library and discover “so-bad-it’s-good” gems alongside more universally celebrated movies.
The Impact of Streaming: Rediscovering Divisive Films
The streaming era has allowed films like Flight Risk, which underperformed at the box office but found niche appeal, to reach new viewers and be reconsidered in a different light. The accessibility created by platforms like HBO Max lets cult followers, action movie buffs, and those intrigued by Mark Wahlberg’s unconventional roles form their own opinions, away from the influence of its rocky critical reception.
This environment encourages viewers to experiment with unexpected finds. It gives second chances to movies that might once have been dusted off and forgotten, rewarding those who appreciate bold style and energetic performances over narrative finesse. As audiences increasingly determine for themselves which films are worth their time, streaming shapes and reshapes reputations, giving titles like Flight Risk their unique spot in the cultural conversation.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Wahlberg’s Transformative Roles
Looking beyond Flight Risk, Mark Wahlberg continues to embrace transformative performances that challenge his public persona and acting range. Whether gaining weight for Father Stu, vanishing into the role of a crime figure for By Any Means, or shaving his head to create a standout villain, Wahlberg demonstrates a consistent commitment to surprising audiences.
The willingness to dramatically shift appearance and approach serves as both a personal trademark and a source of intrigue for fans and critics alike. Even in projects that split opinion or court controversy, Wahlberg’s dedication to his craft brings energy to every film, keeping his work relevant—even when the project itself becomes a lightning rod for debate.
As streaming services like HBO Max continue to elevate such films to the spotlight, and as actors like Wahlberg redefine what it means to inhabit a role, audiences can expect plenty of energetic and unpredictable choices in the years to come. With action thrillers, divisive entertainments, and actorly experiments now just a click away, the landscape for film appreciation is broader—and wilder—than ever before.
