Exterritorial on Netflix Reminds You of Jodie Foster’s Flightplan—Same Thrilling Motherfight!

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Acclaimed as one of her generation’s most talented actors, Academy Award-winning Jodie Foster has captivated audiences for more than five decades. Throughout her career, she has graced the screen in numerous box office successes, ranging from intense dramas such as “Taxi,” “The Accused,” and “Nyad” to suspenseful thrillers like “The Silence of the Lambs” and “Panic Room.

2005 saw Jodie Foster giving another outstanding performance in the movie “Flightplan,” where she played a mother frantically searching for her six-year-old daughter, who vanished on a plane during a mysterious psychological thriller. Similar to the recent Netflix action movie “Exterritorial,” “Flightplan” centers around a parent’s relentless quest to rescue their child amidst insurmountable challenges. In this film, Foster’s character remains resolute in her pursuit of reuniting with her daughter until it is finally accomplished. Let’s delve deeper into this box-office success.

Foster Plays a Mother on a Relentless Mission

In every film and TV role she undertakes, Jodie Foster is recognized for playing intricate characters. In the 2005 psychological thriller titled Flightplan, she played Kyle Pratt, an American aviation engineer returning from Berlin to New York with her six-year-old daughter Julia to bury her deceased husband David. After waking up from a flight nap, Kyle is shocked to discover that her daughter is missing and panics while searching for her. The crew then astonishes her by stating there’s no record of Julia ever boarding the plane.

Despite fighting to keep her cool and stay sane, Kyle persistently searches for Julia on the massive two-story plane, unwilling to concede even when Captain Marcus Rich (Sean Bean) and Air Marshal Gene Carson (Peter Sarsgaard) claim that her child never boarded the flight. However, when Kyle learns that these men have commandeered the aircraft as part of a $50 million ransom scheme and intend to pin the crime on her, the determined mother decides to take action, fighting for justice to rescue Julia.

‘Flightplan’ Delivers Plenty of Thrills High in the Sky

Much like the latest Netflix sensation, Exterritorial, which stars Jeanne Goursaud as a mother and ex-Special Forces member who frantically searches for her missing son, who vanished inexplicably from the U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany, the movie Flightplan follows Jodie Foster’s character, Kyle, on a relentless quest to locate her daughter and ensure her safety at all costs. Both parents, driven by unyielding determination, refuse to accept that they have lost their children, taking on powerful adversaries and eventually exposing sinister conspiracies in the process.

Drawing significant influence from Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Lady Vanishes,” director Robert Schwentke characterized the movie as a suspenseful thriller that gradually builds tension. In order to capture the film’s nuanced and realistic performances, he selected the lead trio of actors (Jodie Foster, Julianne Moore, and Peter Sarsgaard). Schwentke highly commended Sarsgaard’s chilling portrayal of a villain, describing him as an actor who can swiftly transform into an uncoiled snake.

The film, “Flightplan,” premiered on September 23, 2005, and proved to be a box office sensation, earning a staggering $223 million while only requiring a budget of $55 million for its theatrical release.

Despite receiving a decent B+ grade from moviegoers through CinemaScore, the mystery thriller “Flightplan” didn’t fare well with critics. They appreciated the strong performances of the talented cast and Schwentke’s energetic direction, yet criticized its implausible plotline and diminishing sense of tension. At present, it has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 37%. Despite the mixed reviews from critics, “Flightplan” managed to secure nominations for two Saturn Awards: Best Actress (for Foster) and Best Action or Adventure Film.

As a cinephile, I’d say that while “Flightplan” might not have reached the heights of Jodie Foster’s other cinematic masterpieces, it certainly offers an exhilarating 98-minute journey. The film showcases Foster in a powerful performance as a resilient mother on a mission to save her child and ensure her safety. Following the nerve-wracking “Extraterrestrial,” this movie serves as an excellent sequel. Notably, the late Roger Ebert, one of the few esteemed critics, awarded it a commendable 3.5 out of 4 stars, hailing it as a “chilling thriller with a watertight plot.” He particularly appreciated the cast and crew’s work, echoing his praise by calling it an “airtight thriller.

The exceptional quality of the film lies primarily in Jennifer Foster’s portrayal of a clever and courageous woman. Additionally, Bean, Sarsgaard, and the airline staff all bring their unique shades of uncertainty to their roles. Despite being largely set on an airplane in flight, director Schwentke manages to break free from limitations, skillfully utilizing every corner of the plane, and crafting a plot that relies on the mother’s familiarity with the aircraft’s workings.

How To Watch ‘Flightplan’

For enthusiasts of Jodie Foster’s chameleon-like performances or traditional suspense movies, the option to rent or purchase “Flightplan” is available on Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Fandango since it’s not currently streaming. After finishing the Netflix original “Exterritorial”, the often overlooked gem featuring Foster makes for a thrilling double-feature.

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2025-05-10 03:29