Josh Hartnett Soars in “Fight or Flight”: A Bloody, Bonkers Action-Comedy That Doesn’t Hold Back

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if John Wick met Snakes on a Plane, look no further than Fight or Flight, the latest high-octane action flick starring Josh Hartnett. Directed by James Madigan in his feature debut, this B-movie gem is a wild ride packed with chaos, humor, and enough gore to satisfy even the most hardcore action fans. Let’s break down why Hartnett’s latest role is a must-watch—and why you might want to keep the kids far, *far* away from this one.  

The Plot: Assassins, Exes, and a Whole Lot of Chaos

Fight or Flight follows Lucas Reyes (Josh Hartnett), a disgraced former Secret Service agent drowning his sorrows in Bangkok after a mission gone wrong left him exiled. His quiet(ish) life of drinking and dodging mercenaries is interrupted when his ex-girlfriend and former boss, Katherine Brunt (Katee Sackhoff), offers him a deal: board a flight to San Francisco, locate a mysterious cyber-terrorist known as “The Ghost,” and deliver them alive. In exchange, Lucas gets his freedom back.  


Sounds simple enough, right? Wrong. The plane is packed with assassins all gunning for the same target—and the $10 million bounty on The Ghost’s head. What follows is a nonstop barrage of fistfights, improvised weapons (think seatbelts, laptops, and yes, even a chainsaw), and Hartnett’s Lucas stumbling through it all like a hungover action hero.  


The movie’s premise is pure popcorn fun, leaning into its absurdity without apology. Think Bullet Train at 30,000 feet, with a dash of Non-Stop’s claustrophobic tension .  

Josh Hartnett’s Career Resurgence Is Real

Hartnett has been on a roll lately, from his scene-stealing turn in Oppenheimer to his unhinged serial killer dad in M. Night Shyamalan’s Trap. In Fight or Flight, he fully embraces his inner action star, blending physical comedy with gritty intensity. Lucas is a mess—bleach-blonde, Hawaiian-shirt-clad, and perpetually tipsy—but Hartnett makes him oddly endearing. Whether he’s trading quips mid-brawl (“You can’t pickle a pickle!”) or hallucinating after accidentally ingesting toad venom, Hartnett’s performance is the glue holding this chaotic movie together .  


Critics have praised his ability to balance the film’s over-the-top violence with humor, proving he’s more than capable of carrying an action franchise. As The Hollywood Reporter notes, it’s a “terrific turn” that elevates the material beyond its B-movie roots .  

Action Scenes: Creativity Meets Carnage

The fight choreography here is both inventive and relentless. Since the entire movie takes place on a plane, the filmmakers get creative with confined spaces. Early scenes feature brutal bathroom brawls and seatbelt strangulations, while later sequences escalate to chainsaw duels and psychedelic drug trips. One standout moment involves Lucas battling assassins to the tune of Elvis Costello’s “Pump It Up,” a scene that’s equal parts hilarious and horrifying .  


That said, the violence isn’t for the faint of heart. Plugged In counts over 80 f-words and enough bloodshed to rival John Wick, including impalements by sprinkler heads and a poor soul getting sucked out of a depressurized cabin . If you’re squeamish, consider this your warning.  

Humor: Smart Stupidity at Its Best

Fight or Flight knows exactly how ridiculous it is—and leans into it. The script, penned by Brooks McLaren and D.J. Cotrona, is packed with meta jokes and slapstick moments. Highlights include:  

- A mercenary casually doing yoga mid-mission.  

- A villain’s death punctuated by the Windows shutdown sound effect.  

- Hartnett’s Lucas shrugging off tranquilizers meant for a horse.  


Even the supporting cast gets in on the fun. Charithra Chandran (of Bridgerton fame) shines as a flight attendant with secrets, while Danny Ashok provides comic relief as her panicky coworker .  

The Good, the Bad, and the Bloody

What Works: 

- Hartnett’s Star Power: He’s clearly having a blast, and his energy is infectious.  

- Creative Action: The plane setting forces inventive fight sequences.  

- Pacing: At 97 minutes, it doesn’t overstay its welcome .  


What Doesn’t:  

- Thin Plot: The story exists mostly to string together fight scenes.  

- Tonal Whiplash: Sudden shifts from comedy to serious stakes can feel jarring.  

- Excessive Violence: While fun for some, the gore might alienate casual viewers .  

Themes: Redemption and Ethics in a Messy World

Beneath the bloodshed, Fight or Flight touches on deeper ideas. Lucas’s moral compass—questionable as it is—drives his actions. He initially takes the job to reclaim his freedom but stays to protect The Ghost after learning they’re a victim-turned-vigilante fighting child trafficking and corporate greed. It’s a classic antihero arc, with Hartnett selling both the cynicism and the heart .  

Critical Reception: Mixed but Mostly Positive

Reviews have been split. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an 82% approval rating, with critics praising Hartnett’s performance and the film’s “joyfully silly” energy. Others, like AV Club, argue the repetitive action and lack of stakes drag it down .  

Should You Watch It?

If you’re craving a no-holds-barred action-comedy that doesn’t take itself seriously, Fight or Flight delivers. Hartnett’s charismatic chaos, combined with Madigan’s flair for inventive violence, makes this a perfect Friday night flick—just don’t expect Citizen Kane.  

Final Verdict: A bloody, bonkers blast that proves Josh Hartnett is Hollywood’s most underrated action star. Buckle up and enjoy the ride.