Hijacked (2025) Review: Vietnam's Sky-High Siege Thriller Lands Hard

This Hijacked review starts with a simple question: can one plane hold a whole movie? Ham Tran's Vietnamese action thriller says yes, and mostly proves it. It is tense, tightly staged and rooted in real history.

Hijacked Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The Hijacked plot is easy to grasp. On a commercial flight, a group of ruthless, armed men takes control of the aircraft and tries to force its way into the cockpit. Vietnam's elite aviation security forces become the passengers' last hope, and the stakes sit at 30,000 feet.

The story is inspired by real hijackings in Vietnam after 1975. That grounding gives the film more weight than a standard popcorn thriller. The film is set almost entirely aboard the plane, so the tension never leaves the cabin.

The Vietnamese title is Tử chiến trên không, which roughly translates as Death Battle on the Air. The tagline, "Our blood. Our sky.", sums up the tone well. It is a crime-tinged action film with national pride in its bones.

What Works in Hijacked

The confined setting is the film's biggest strength. Director Ham Tran uses narrow aisles, locked doors and frightened faces to build suspense without needing sprawling set pieces. Every move feels risky because there is nowhere to run.

Coverage of the film in Vietnam points to its suspense and intensity, and that matches what the premise promises. One critic noted that expectations for the script and dialogue were modest, yet the film proved remarkably engaging. That is a fair summary: it is not reinventing the genre, but it keeps you hooked.

The period backdrop also helps. Setting the story in the 1970s and 1980s gives it texture and a sense of real danger. If you like grounded action movie reviews with a historical edge, this fits the bill.

Hijacked Cast and Performances

The Hijacked cast is led by Thái Hòa as Long and Kaity Nguyễn as Trinh. Both are established box office draws in Vietnam. One IMDb critic wrote that they once again justify their reputations with convincing portrayals.

Thanh Sơn plays Bình, while Ma Ran Đô, Lợi Trần and Bảo Định appear as Sơn, Hải and Sửu. The ensemble approach suits a story that depends on many people reacting under pressure. No one feels like a throwaway face in a crowd.

Who Carries the Tension

Thái Hòa gives the film its steady centre, and Kaity Nguyễn adds urgency. Together they keep the human stakes clear even when the action gets loud.

Where Hijacked Stumbles

The film leans heavily on CGI to recreate the atmosphere of the 1970s and 1980s. One critic said the effects are not flawless and occasional inconsistencies show. When the digital work wobbles, it can pull you out of the otherwise tight mood.

The script is another soft spot. Dialogue and character writing in this kind of thriller can feel familiar, and some beats follow the genre playbook. At 118 minutes, the film also asks for patience in its quieter stretches.

If you prefer pure crime movie reviews with twisty plotting, you may want more surprises. Hijacked is about pressure and survival, not clever misdirection.

Is Hijacked Worth Watching?

Yes, Hijacked is worth watching if you want a lean, intense action thriller with a strong sense of place. It became a box-office sensation in Vietnam, and coverage says critics and audiences praised its suspense. A New York Times review quoted by Viet Nam News called it a sturdy excursion.

Audience scores are positive too. IMDb users give it 6.7 out of 10, and Letterboxd averages 3.41 out of 5. The film got its original Vietnamese release on 19 September 2025, and you can check its IMDb page for more details.

For a similar claustrophobic-chase energy, you might also try Den of Thieves: Pantera, though it plays out on a much bigger canvas.

Who Will Enjoy Hijacked

• Fans of tense, contained action thrillers set in one location.

• Viewers curious about Vietnamese cinema and its growing blockbuster scene.

• Anyone who likes stories inspired by real events, as long as they can forgive some uneven effects.