Flight

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Flight

R

Released Nov 2, 2012

2h 18m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

77%

Tomatometer

240 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Commercial airline pilot Whip Whitaker (Denzel Washington) has a problem with drugs and alcohol, though so far he's managed to complete his flights safely. His luck runs out when a disastrous mechanical malfunction sends his plane hurtling toward the ground. Whip pulls off a miraculous crash-landing that results in only six lives lost. Shaken to the core, Whip vows to get sober -- but when the crash investigation exposes his addiction, he finds himself in an even worse situation.

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Critics Consensus

Robert Zemeckis makes a triumphant return to live-action cinema with Flight, a thoughtful and provocative character study propelled by a compelling performance from Denzel Washington.

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

Flight isn't an easy sit. It doesn't offer up comforting answers to the many questions it raises or deal in exaggerated platitudes an audience might find simplistically comforting.

Rated: 3.5/4

Apr 5, 2022

Full Review

Megan Burbank

Bitch Media

Flight proves, in a bad way, that believable characters are essential for all good movies.

Jan 14, 2021

Full Review

Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

While his performance here is perhaps not as introspective as it had the potential to become... it is off kilter from his more usual fare these days making it that much more memorable and compelling.

Rated: B+

Sep 7, 2017

Full Review

Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

The saving grace is in the performances.

Rated: 6/10

May 15, 2025

Full Review

Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

No actor I know working today can take a feather of character nuance and turn it into a moral fiber of steely resolve with merely a new look or a change of voice inflection the way Denzel can.

Rated: 5/5

Oct 13, 2024

Full Review

Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

Led by Denzel Washington's top-notch performance in Flight, Robert Zemeckis' return to live action was worth the wait.

Rated: 4.5/5

Dec 28, 2022

Full Review

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STEVEN M

Suspense on high. Good story, and Denzel shines big as commercial pilot Whip.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/20/25

Full Review

Sam S.

Good performances in a very predictable movie.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/02/25

Full Review

Zach W.

From the first fifteen minutes of the film, Flight wastes no time throwing the audience into a frighteningly intense situation and introducing a complex lead character. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, Flight follows Whip Whitaker, played by Denzel Washington, as an investigation surrounds the extraordinary circumstances for which Whitaker safely lands a doomed plane. With a script that focuses on showcasing the dynamics and interactions between characters, Flight features a compelling commentary on the struggles of addiction and the effects of substance abuse. Denzel Washington carries Flight to greater heights (pun intended) as his performance depicts an uncomfortably honest depiction of alcoholism. Though the middle act does feel slower than the film’s adrenaline-filled opening act, the exploration of Washington’s character is one that challenges the audience to question their own sentiment towards the character and his actions. Kelly Reilly never fully matches Washington’s presence, but the supporting performances from Don Cheadle and John Goodman are memorable (especially Goodman). Zemeckis knows how to create tension and allow silence and pauses to facilitate uncomfortableness. The final act of Flight wastes unpredictable and emotionally compelling as Washington truly flexes his range. Overall, Flight is a drama that does not downplay the severity of substance abuse and the negative effects for which addiction can cause on one’s self and their friends and family. Denzel Washington is remarkable as the struggling, yet prideful pilot whose heroics are questioned by his overuse of alcohol and drugs.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/26/25

Full Review

Shaun R

Could have and should have been better.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

06/18/25

Full Review

Monic Kenya M

Great acting of Denzel Washington as usual. Captivating story

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/01/25

Full Review

Larry K

Denzel Washington is fantastic. Great movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/31/25

Full Review

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Robert Zemeckis

Director

Denzel Washington

Whip Whitaker

Don Cheadle

Hugh Lang

Kelly Reilly

Nicole

John Goodman

Harling Mays

Bruce Greenwood

Charlie Anderson

Flight: Official Clip - Inverting the Plane

2:12

Flight: Official Clip - Brace for impact

2:12

Flight: Official Clip - A Little Pick Me Up

2:13

Flight: Official Clip - The Freefall

2:13

Flight: Official Clip - Chemo Brain

2:14

Flight: Official Clip - We're Talking Jail Time

2:14

Flight: Official Clip - I'm Drunk Right Now

2:10

Flight: Official Clip - I Drank Three Bottles

2:14

Flight: Official Clip - At Least I'm Sober

2:08

Flight: Official Clip - Love Is Taking Off

2:11

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Synopsis

Commercial airline pilot Whip Whitaker (Denzel Washington) has a problem with drugs and alcohol, though so far he's managed to complete his flights safely. His luck runs out when a disastrous mechanical malfunction sends his plane hurtling toward the ground. Whip pulls off a miraculous crash-landing that results in only six lives lost. Shaken to the core, Whip vows to get sober -- but when the crash investigation exposes his addiction, he finds himself in an even worse situation.

Director: Robert Zemeckis
Producer: Walter F. Parkes, Laurie MacDonald, Steve Starkey, Robert Zemeckis, Jack Rapke
Screenwriter: John Gatins
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: ImageMovers, Parkes/MacDonald
Rating: R (Intense Action Sequence|Drug and Alcohol Abuse|Language|Sexuality/Nudity)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 2, 2012, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 2, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $93.7M
Runtime: 2h 18m
Sound Mix: Datasat, Dolby Digital

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