A Plot Synopsis, Photos, and Behind-the-Scenes Footage from the Movie ‘Flight Risk’
Film Recap Written by Michael Lee
*All Media used in this article is courtesy of Lionsgate
Photo Credit: Lionsgate
Official Trailer: ‘Flight Risk’ (2024)
Plot Synopsis
The film begins with a U.S Marshal named Madolyn Harris, is arresting a man named Winston, an accountant, while he is hiding somewhere in Alaska. Winston turned informant against a mobster named Moretti and is therefore in witness protection. Madolyn and Winston then travel to Anchorage, Alaska, only to fly directly to New York. Harris intends for Winston to testify against his old boss Moretti. The plane is being piloted by a man Daryl Booth, a man from Texas who currently resides in Alaska, explains to Harris and Winston that the plane’s radio is defunct.
While waiting for the plane to take off, Winston, who is manacled, notices Daryl’s pilot license in the seat in front of him but the Daryl in the photo is not the man in the cockpit. He attempts to warn Harris, but she cannot hear him. Harris and Daryl the pilot have a brief conversation and Daryl’s accent suddenly changes, revealing himself to be a hitman, who is using Daryl Booth's identity, who has been sent by Moretti to kill Winstnon. Harris subdues the hitman with a taser only to take over control of the plane.
Michelle Dockery as Madolyn and Mark Wahlberg as Daryl in Flight Risk • Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate
Harris calls her direct superior, Caroline Van Sant, and explains her situation. Caroline informs Harris that Winston must be kept alive at all costs if his old boss Morettti is to be brought to justice. Caroline reveals that Winstoon skimmed over a million dollars from Moretti while he was working for him. She also explains that the real Darly Booth is dead, having been tortured to death by the so-called pilot that Harris subdued. She lets Harris know that she will arrange a pilot to call her so she and Winston can safely land.
Michelle Dockery as Madolyn in Flight Risk • Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate
This is when Harris becomes suspicious of Caroline, thinking that Caroline doesn’t seem to be interested in helping directly, only tangentially. Harris, believing that Caroline’s interests aren’t aligned with her own, calls her director, Coleridge, to explain her suspicions about Caroline. While on the phone, Coleridge actually gives himself away as a friend of Moretti as he gives the address to his beach house, which Winston recognizes from the last time he made a payment to Moretti.
Topher Grace as Winston in Flight Risk • Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate
The pilot hitman wakes up and begins to taunt Winnston. He informs Winston that he is going to kill his mother as he has her address. He promises that he will make Winston suffer. He also reveals that Harris has been demoted to desk duty, because her neglect had caused the death of a witness during her last field mission. She handcuffed the witness while she was taking a shower, but the hotel was firebombed and she fled, forgetting the shackled witness.
Harris then receives a call from Hasan, a pilot from Anchorage, and teaches her the manual controls of the plane. Hasan’s methods are unique, keeping her calm by attempting to charm her, promising to take her for a drink when she lands. During their exchange, the hitman manages to free himself and attacks them both. He stabs Winston twice and then strangles Madolyn with the seatbelt she tied him up with. As she is about to pass out, Winston removes the knife from his chest and cuts the belt. This allows Harris to shoot the hitman with a flare gun, incapacitating him. Later, Coleridge innforms Harris that Caroline has been killed in a car accident. After they hang up, Harris vows to bring down Coleridge right alongside Moretti.
Hason continues to guide Harris, but Winston is losing a lot of blood - and quickly. Harris must land the plane as quickly as possible by burning through their entire fuel supply. As the two approach landing, the hitman attacks again, with Harriss shooting him dead, throwing him from the plane as they land.
Winston is rushed to the hospital while a smiling Hasan greets Harris. As she collects herself, she begins to notice a shifty looking police officer entering Winston’s ambulance. She follows the officer as he attempts to asphyxiate Winston, so she shoots him dead. Harris picks up the phone, noticing Coleridge is on the other line, and informs him that he will be going to prison for the rest of his life. Harris and Wilson share a smile as the ambulance leaves for the hospital.
