This feature includes mention of sexual assault
Mel Gibson’slatest directorial effortFlight Riskis receiving critical slams, but where does it rank among his other work? Gibson first became interested in directing after making some tongue-in-cheek documentaries fortheLethal Weaponmovies. His first gig behind the camera came with the small-scale dramaThe Man Without a Face, before moving on to more ambitious, big budget fare. Surprisingly,Gibson has largely stayed behind the camera for the six films he’s helmed, having only acted inThe Man Without a FaceandBraveheart.
From the beginning, Gibson proved a natural as a director. His work is marked by the affecting performances he pulls from his casts, their visual flair, and the visceral violence. The latter element has been a controversial one, however - especially in the grueling case ofThe Passion of the Christ. Gibson’sFlight Riskdials back on the bloodshed somewhat and feels more like a stage play between three characters trapped on the same tiny plane.
There is an interesting parallel in the marketing for Gibson’s first film as directorThe Man Without a FaceandFlight Risk. For the former, the movie’s posters hid that Gibson’s character is heavily scarred as the result of a car accident, while the latter is covering the fact thatMark Wahlberg’s assassin is bald. Other than the marketing, the tones of the two projects couldn’t be further apart.The Man Without a Facewas a testing ground for Gibson as a filmmaker, who wanted to try something intimate for his first gig.
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The result is a dark but moving drama, where his scarred, reclusive illustrator mentors a troubled boy (played by Nick Stahl). While a genuine friendship forms between the two, this conjures up dark rumors from the townspeople, leading to a bittersweet ending.The Man Without a Facereceived good reviews back in 1993, butdespite being a solid drama anchored by great turns from Gibson and Stahl, it has largely faded from cultural memory.
Flight Risksees Gibson going back to a more small scale project for the first time sinceThe Man Without a Face, with around 90% of the story taking place in a cramped little plane. It’s a very Hitchcockian setup, where Michelle Dockery’s U.S. Marshal has to learn how to fly a plane carrying an important witness (Topher Grace) when the nameless pilot (Mark Wahlberg) is revealed to be an assassin.Flight Riskis a lean, relentless ride, coming in at a tight 90 minutesand never once letting the energy dip.
Flight Risk Ending Explained: Breaking Down The Big Twist & That Huge Death
The ending of Mel Gibson’s 2025 thriller Flight Risk, which stars Mark Wahlberg, has a memorable twist and an unforgettable character death.
Dockery is the acting standout, and while Wahlberg is having hammy fun as the villain, his repeated threats of sexual violence aren’t nearly as amusing as the movie seems to think.Flight Riskis a popcorn thriller ultimately, and after the adrenaline wears off, it will quickly delete itselffrom people’s memories. It’s a well-crafted B-movie with an overqualified cast and director, but it’s nobody’s best work.
The Passion of the Christwas a major turning point for Gibson, where it felt like he transitioned from being an A-list actor to a movie director. The film was (and continues) to be incredibly controversial, with the story covering the final hours of Jesus Christ’s (Jim Caviezel) life. It takes an unflinching, graphic look at the crucifixion, where Christ is subjected to various tortures and indignities before being crucified.Gibson claims he wantedThe Passion of the Christto be so shocking and gory to highlight how selfless Jesus' sacrifice was- but it makes for a harrowing watch.
Mel Gibson passed on directingThe Expendables 3when approached by Sylvester Stallone and asked if he could play the movie’s villain Stonebanks instead.
The film is visually stunning and features quiet moments of humanity among the brutality, where it flashes back to happier times in Jesus' life. It could be arguedGibson succeeded too well in his aims because the suffering at the center ofThe Passion of the Christmake it a film few will be able to sit through twice. It was also the biggest success of Gibson’s directing career, grossing over $612 million worldwide. Gibson’s next film will bethe upcomingThe Resurrection of the Christ.
Hacksaw Ridgewas Gibson’s first directorial effort in a decade, with the war drama covering the real-life experiences of World War 2 medic, Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield). Doss is a resolute pacifist, and while he wants to serve his country, he refuses to even hold a rifle.Hacksaw Ridgeis a moving mix of character drama and hellish war movie- which are two genres Gibson knows how to balance. He also put together a great cast, with Garfield’s turn as Doss earning him the Best Actor Oscar nod, while Vince Vaughn and Sam Worthington give great supporting turns.
The combat scenes are suitably visceral, showing off Gibson’s eye for action. Still, a major downside ofHacksaw Ridgeis its near total lack of subtly. Everything is heightened and melodramatic, and it can sometimes feel like a corny war movie from the 1940s or 1950s that is caked in modern gore. Still,the setpieces hit hard and there are emotional scenes that hit even harder,including the stunned response Doss' fellow soldiers have when he rescues the final survivors from Hacksaw Ridge.
Apocalyptowas Gibson’s follow-up toThe Passion of the Christ, with the story taking place in 1502 as a young Mayan hunter tries to save his family. Characters speak entirely in the Yucatec Maya language, with the film’s production design and gorgeous cinematography immersing viewers in the movie’s setting.Apocalyptois a relentless chase movie at its core and an exhilarating oneat that. It has some horror overtones too, particularly in the sequences involving human sacrifice.
… Quentin Tarantino and Edgar Wright have praised Apocalypto, and while the gore can sometimes overwhelm the narrative, it’s an enthralling ride.
Some would argue thatApocalyptois Gibson’s best work as a director, period. Both Quentin Tarantino and Edgar Wright have praised it, and while the gore can sometimes overwhelm the narrative, it’s an enthralling ride. The film came under fire for its historical inaccuracies and the story being slim, which are both fair critiques.It’s a shame Gibson never attempted such a stripped-back thriller again, because whileFlight Riskis also lean, it has nowhere near the same kinetic energyasApocalypto.
1Braveheart (1995)
This historical epic remains Mel Gibson’s crowning achievement as director
30 years after its release,Braveheartremains Gibson’s greatest work as a filmmaker. His Scottish accent is incredibly dodgy, it plays fast and loose with history and the villains are very one note; none of that takes away from the rousing drama of it all though. Covering the life of Scottish warrior William Wallace,Braveheartfeatures the best supporting cast Gibson ever assembled (Sophie Marceau, Brendan Gleeson, Patrick McGoohan, etc) and does a wonderful job giving each performer their chance to shine.
Braveheartreceived an unofficial legacy sequel with 2019’sRobert the Bruce, where Angus Macfadyen reprised his titular role.
It could be argued that Gibson’s square-jawed heroic lead feels the most out of place inside a Scottish historical epic, but his most impressive work lies behind the camera. The battle scenes are ferocious and are all the more impressive as Gibson had never handled action sequences of such size before.Braveheartwas showered with awards the following year, earningMel Gibsonboth the Best Picture and Best Director Academy Award.
