Watch Flightplan
- PG-13
- 2005
- 1 hr 38 min
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6.3 (173,803)
Flightplan, released in 2005, is a fast-paced thriller starring Jodie Foster, Peter Sarsgaard, and Sean Bean. Directed by Robert Schwentke and written by Peter A. Dowling and Billy Ray, the movie revolves around the story of a mother who loses her daughter onboard an airplane and goes to great lengths to find her. Jodie Foster plays Kyle Pratt, a newly widowed aircraft engineer who is moving back to the United States from Berlin with her young daughter, Julia, played by Marlene Lawston. During the flight, Kyle falls asleep and on waking up, she realizes to her horror that her daughter is missing. She frantically searches the plane, asking the crew and passengers for help, but no one remembers seeing her daughter.
As the tension mounts and Kyle's desperation increases, she begins to suspect a conspiracy and becomes convinced that her daughter has been abducted. The captain of the plane, played by Sean Bean, initially tries to console her but soon begins to doubt her story. The only person who seems to believe her is an air marshal, played by Peter Sarsgaard, but even he has his doubts.
The aircraft staff and passengers are portrayed as unhelpful, with some even accusing Kyle of being unstable and delusional. The movie takes a thrilling turn when Kyle starts to question her own sanity and while she may be a grieving mother, she is also a trained engineer and begins to use her expertise to find her daughter.
What follows is a surprisingly engaging and suspenseful cat-and-mouse game between Kyle and those who want to silence her. As Kyle continues her search, she uncovers a complex web of lies and deceit, of which she is an unwitting pawn. The plot thickens as Kyle realizes there are people who will do anything to prevent her from discovering the truth.
Flightplan is a taut and tightly written thriller, in which the superb acting of Jodie Foster and the rest of the cast brings the tension and desperation of the story to life. The fantastic directing of Robert Schwentke and the creative use of CGI to create a wholly believable story of the confines of an aircraft add to the gripping plot.
One of the most impressive aspects of the movie is the way in which it creates a sense of claustrophobia and isolation within the confines of the airplane. The close-up shots of the passengers and their tight seats, the narrow aisles, and the airless cabin emphasize the confinement and desperation Kyle feels.
The movie is not without its flaws, particularly when it comes to its depiction of how air travel works, but these inconsistencies hardly detract from the thrilling story. While the twist ending may be a bit predictable for some, the tension and excitement throughout make the payoff more than worth it.
In conclusion, Flightplan is an engaging and thrilling movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The strong performance of Jodie Foster and the rest of the cast, combined with the excellent direction and script, make this a must-see film for any fan of the suspense genre. Whether you're an airplane aficionado or not, you won't regret taking this flight.
Flightplan is a 2005 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 53.