Flight Movie Review | Common Sense Media

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Parents' Guide to

Flight Movie R 2012 138 minutes Flight Poster Image
  • Common Sense Says
  • Parents Say 9 Reviews
  • Kids Say 15 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson By Jeffrey M. Anderson , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 17+

Excellent but mature drama about alcoholic airline pilot.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Flight is an excellent, albeit mature, drama about an alcoholic airline pilot and the investigation surrounding a plane crash he was involved in. The crash sequence itself is realistic and harrowing, with injuries and wounds. Drinking and drugs are also big issues, as the main character is…

 Why Age 17+? Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

The main character is an alcoholic but denies it throughout most of the film. He

 Language

Language includes many uses of "f--k" and "s--t," plus "d--k," "ass," "damn," "h

 Sex, Romance & Nudity

The movie opens with the main character in a hotel bed with a naked woman. She w

 Violence & Scariness

The first part of the movie includes a harrowing, realistic plane crash sequence

 Products & Purchases

Many brand names of beer and hard liquor are shown, including Heineken, Bushmill

 Any Positive Content? Positive Messages

The story shows the difficult struggle of dealing with alcoholism -- the main ch

 Positive Role Models

It's difficult to call Whip a true role model, as his struggle falls on the nega

  • Parents Need to Know

    Parents need to know that Flight is an excellent, albeit mature, drama about an alcoholic airline pilot and the investigation surrounding a plane crash he was involved in. The crash sequence itself is realistic and harrowing, with injuries and wounds. Drinking and drugs are also big issues, as the main character is an alcoholic who frequently binges (sometimes resulting in arguing and/or injuries, some with blood), and a secondary character is a drug addict. There's also a nude scene early in the movie, when the main character wakes up in a hotel room with a girlfriend, and language is strong, with uses of "f--k" and "s--t." Director Robert Zemeckis also made the ultra-popular Forrest Gump, but Flight is more intense in some ways and less age appropriate for younger teens.

    To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

  • Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

    a lot

    The main character is an alcoholic but denies it throughout most of the film. He has many drinking binges, downing everything from beer to vodka, which usually results in shouting, passing out, and/or hurting himself. A secondary character is a drug addict; she's shown in an early scene shooting heroin and overdosing. After this incident, she stays clean throughout the rest of the movie. In one crucial scene, the main character's friend makes him a special "wake up" cocktail consisting of cocaine and tobacco. Whip also smokes frequently.

    Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

    Get started Close

  • Language

    a lot

    Language includes many uses of "f--k" and "s--t," plus "d--k," "ass," "damn," "hell," "crap," "goddamn," etc.

    Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

    Get started Close

  • Sex, Romance & Nudity

    a lot

    The movie opens with the main character in a hotel bed with a naked woman. She walks, naked, around the room, for long moments before the scene ends. The main character also appears to be naked but is mostly covered by the sheets. Later, the main character flirts with and kisses another woman.

    Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

    Get started Close

  • Violence & Scariness

    some

    The first part of the movie includes a harrowing, realistic plane crash sequence in which many people are injured (on-screen) and some killed (offscreen). A stewardess risks her life to save a boy. Characters are seen in the hospital. A secondary character overdoses on heroin and nearly dies; she also goes to the hospital. The main character has many drunken binges that sometimes result in shouting or falling and hurting himself (some blood is shown). There's also some arguing and confrontation.

    Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

    Get started Close

  • Products & Purchases

    a little

    Many brand names of beer and hard liquor are shown, including Heineken, Bushmills, Grey Goose, Corona, Stolichnaya, Jim Beam, and more. Some of the brands have requested that they be removed from the film.

  • Positive Messages

    a little

    The story shows the difficult struggle of dealing with alcoholism -- the main character battles it and reaches a level of sobriety, learning to accept others' help and return their love. His actions and decisions also emphasize the importance of telling the truth (rather than lying to protect yourself) and accepting the consequences.

  • Positive Role Models

    very little

    It's difficult to call Whip a true role model, as his struggle falls on the negative side so many times. Throughout most of the movie, he pushes others away, behaves badly, and very often slips back into drinking again. But he earns viewers' sympathy, and when the crucial moment comes, he chooses what's right over his own selfishness.

Where to Watch

  • FlightMovie Review 2:23
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Flight

Parent and Kid Reviews

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  • Parents Say (9)
  • Kids Say (15)
age 17+

Based on 9 parent reviews

See all 9 parent reviews age 16+

Based on 15 kid reviews

Kids say that the movie features strong themes of alcoholism and drug use, presenting a cautionary tale against substance abuse, despite its engaging plot and Denzel Washington's outstanding performance. While it is praised for its gripping storytelling and character depth, it is also criticized for graphic content, making it appropriate only for mature audiences.

  • mature themes
  • performance praise
  • substance warnings
  • graphic content
  • mixed pacing
Summarized with AI
See all 15 kid reviews

What's the Story?

Faced with a malfunctioning plane, commercial airline pilot Whip Whitaker (Denzel Washington) pulls off a spectacular crash landing that saves nearly all the lives on board. Unfortunately, during the subsequent investigation, it becomes apparent that he was drunk while flying. Worse, he abuses alcohol regularly. In the hospital, Whip meets recovering drug addict Nicole (Kelly Reilly) and decides to help her out. In the days leading up to a hearing that could cost Whip his job, he tries to stop drinking, but with all the pressure, he finds the urge too strong. Even with all the people in his life trying to help, it all comes down to Whip, who must decide for himself which path to take.

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Is It Any Good?

Our review: Parents say (9 ): Kids say (15 ):

After too many years of gimmick- and special effects-based movies, with FLIGHT, director Robert Zemeckis once again finds the perfect balance between characters and spectacle. (He achieved this in his best films, Back to the Future and Who Framed Roger Rabbit.) This is also easily the most mature movie of his career. A slightly less talented director would have focused on the heavy issue of alcoholism, but Zemeckis instead uses the suspense of the impending hearing, as well as rich characters and performances (John Goodman is a particular standout). The balance makes for a far more effective and appealing film.

Likewise, special effects are restricted to the first act only and used to support the characters and themes, rather than the other way around. Moreover, Flight bravely includes many unconventional moments, ranging from powerful, passionate speeches by minor characters to amazing moments with no dialogue at all. Flight is purely a Hollywood film, but it's Hollywood at its very best.

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Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Flight depicts drinking. Why does Whip drink so much? What are the results of his drinking? What consequences does he face? Do they seem realistic?

  • Why doesn't Whip accept any help from anyone? How can you help a loved one who might be an alcoholic/addict?

  • How did the violent plane crash sequence affect you? Was it too over-the-top, or did it seem to fit the story? How does a scene like that compare to something in a big-budget action movie? Which has more impact? Why?

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Movie Details

  • In theaters : November 2, 2012
  • On DVD or streaming : February 5, 2013
  • Cast : Denzel Washington , Don Cheadle , Kelly Reilly
  • Director : Robert Zemeckis
  • Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
  • Studio : Paramount Pictures
  • Genre : Drama
  • Run time : 138 minutes
  • MPAA rating : R
  • MPAA explanation : drug and alcohol abuse, language, sexuality/nudity and an intense action sequence
  • Award : NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
  • Last updated : October 9, 2025
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Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Flight

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