Turbulence (2025)

Turbulence | Movie Review (2025)
Turbulence (2025)

Don't let the name fool you, Turbulence (2025) has nothing to do with airplanes. Instead of high-altitude jet terror, this thriller takes place in a hot air balloon floating over the Italian Alps. Released in December 2025, the film is a contained "bottle movie" where the claustrophobia comes from being trapped in a wicker basket thousands of feet in the air with nowhere to run.




The Story

Zach (Jeremy Irvine), a wealthy tech CEO, is trying to repair his marriage with his wife Emmy (Hera Hilmar) after some rocky patches. He plans a romantic hot air balloon ride during their trip to Italy. The ride is piloted by a quirky, singing American expat named Harry (Kelsey Grammer). Just before takeoff, an unexpected passenger forces her way onto the flight: Julia (Olga Kurylenko). It quickly becomes clear that Julia isn't a random tourist. She claims to have had a one-night stand with Zach and begins a tense game of cat-and-mouse, threatening to expose his secrets to his wife. As the balloon drifts higher into freezing altitudes, the verbal blackmail turns into a physical fight for survival, made worse by a sudden storm that puts everyone in danger.

What’s Good

The premise is unique. We've seen plenty of "trapped in a room" movies, but being trapped in a balloon basket adds a layer of vertigo and peril that feels fresh. The cinematography captures the beauty and terror of the Alps effectively. Director Claudio Fäh does a good job of keeping the tension high. The characters are physically close to each other, so every whisper and threat feels immediate. He is the highlight of the movie. Playing the innocent, slightly eccentric pilot who gets caught in the middle of this domestic nightmare, he brings a necessary warmth and grounding presence to the otherwise melodramatic cast.

What’s Not So Good

Unlikable Characters: It is hard to root for anyone. Zach is a dishonest corporate jerk (introduced in a scene where an employee commits suicide in front of him, which he seemingly shrugs off), and Julia is unhinged. You might find yourself hoping the balloon just dumps them all out. The story requires you to suspend a lot of disbelief. The reasons for Julia's presence and the twist ending feel contrived and soap-opera-like. The transition from psychological thriller to action movie in the third act gets a bit silly. While some shots are great, the green screen effects are sometimes obvious, reminding you that the actors aren't actually in the sky.

Is it Worth Watching?

Maybe. It’s a decent "B-movie" thriller if you want something short (91 minutes) and suspenseful to watch on a rainy afternoon. It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s entertaining enough if you keep your expectations low.



Rating: 2.7 out of 5 stars
Best for: Fans of contained thrillers like Fall or Phone Booth who don't mind a sillier plot.


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