Risk

Risk

Year: 2017

Runtime: 92 min

Language: English

Director: Laura Poitras

Echo Score: 60

Budget: $25M

Documentary

Laura Poitras’s Risk offers a deeply personal look at the world of WikiLeaks and its founder, Julian Assange. Filmed over six years, the documentary chronicles Assange's fight against powerful institutions and the legal battles he faces. The film explores the complexities of his character, his unwavering beliefs, and the significant risks he takes while navigating a period of intense controversy and global impact.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Risk yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Risk (2017) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Risk (2017), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

A tense, high-stakes chase unfolds as a U.S. Marshal’s plan to bring a guarded informant to testify against a powerful crime family spirals into a deadly flight for survival. U.S. Marshal Madolyn Harris follows the trail of Winston, an accountant who turned informant, from a remote Alaskan hideout toward New York City, hoping to secure his testimony against the Moretti crime family. Winston’s demand for full immunity and airtight protection sets the terms of a mission that is already precarious, because every mile toward Manhattan increases the risk of betrayal, pursuit, and an execution that could shield the mob rather than expose it.

As the journey begins, a small plane becomes the stage for shifting loyalties and hidden threats. The aircraft’s radio and GPS are notoriously unreliable, a flaw that becomes a critical obstacle when Madolyn, Winston, and their pilot—an undercover operative posing as “Daryl Booth”—press their flight toward Anchorage and then beyond. The plan is clear in Madolyn’s mind: get Winston to testify in New York before the Moretti defense team closes in on their window of opportunity. But from the moment the flight starts, it’s immediately apparent that the calm of a routine transfer is an illusion. Daryl’s persona hides a far more dangerous reality, and the cockpit is muddled with information that doesn’t add up.

The tension intensifies as Winston becomes aware of unsettling details on the plane. He spots the pilot’s license under the seat and realizes the man at the controls is not who he pretends to be. Madolyn remains oblivious to the subtleties of the ruse, but the truth comes to a head when the impostor—revealing himself as a hit-man who intends to kill Winston—drops the veneer. A violent struggle erupts inside the confined space of the aircraft. Madolyn is knocked unconscious, and Winston is threatened by a weapon-wielding assailant who seems determined to erase the witness and seal the fate of the investigation.

Emerging from the chaos, Madolyn regains control and wrestles back the plane’s controls, using a taser to subdue the impostor and assuming command of the aircraft. Winston, quick-witted and ruthless in his own right, tries to bargain for his survival by offering a million dollars in cryptocurrency—an untraceable incentive that underscores the brutal economy of the criminal world they’re navigating. Yet Madolyn stays resolute in her aim to pursue justice through legal channels, refusing to shoot the would-be killer, even as she tries to steer the plane to safety.

With the impostor incapacitated, the duo discovers another layer of complication: the plane’s navigation system is compromised, and the route to Anchorage becomes muddled. The absence of reliable GPS leaves them adrift, forcing Madolyn to improvise. She reaches out to her superior, Caroline Van Sant, and explains the gravity of the situation, including the fact that Winston’s life depends on keeping the operation aboveboard. The communication reveals a troubling possibility: a leak within the U.S. Marshals’ ranks could be feeding information to the Moretti side. The suspense deepens as Winston’s personal vulnerability becomes a lever in the game—his mother’s safety becomes a bargaining chip that could influence events far beyond the immediate flight.

As the tension escalates, Winston uncovers a chilling detail: the hit-man’s body bears photos of Winston’s mother’s house, confirming that the mob knows exactly where she is and could strike at any moment. The realization places Winston in a desperate position, underscoring how a single misstep could cost a life outside the plane as well as the one on board. Madolyn, sensing a betrayal deeper than the immediate danger, begins to suspect that Caroline may be compromised, a possibility that threatens not only the mission but the integrity of her own career and sense of duty.

The plot thickens as Madolyn communicates with the ground and learns that a crucial decision—whether to keep Winston alive for the greater good—rests on her ability to navigate the maze of loyalties and lies surrounding the case. A new voice enters the conversation: a grounded navigator named Hassan who provides practical guidance to keep the plane afloat and offers a glimmer of human connection amid the peril. Hassan’s steady presence helps Madolyn regain focus—enough to chart a dangerous course along the coast toward safety, if only they can avoid a total loss of fuel.

In a brutal escalation, the impostor in Daryl Booth’s disguise manages to free himself and launches another assault. He stabs Winston and tightens his grip around Madolyn, threatening to finish what he started. The struggle shoots through the cabin as the tension between justice and violence comes to a fever pitch. Winston’s resilience—drawn from a mix of fear, cunning, and a stubborn will to see the case through—helps him survive a direct encounter, and Madolyn’s determination culminates in a decisive action: a flare gun is used to neutralize the threat and put the hijacker out of commission. The plane’s internal danger gives way to a broader crisis as the fuel dwindles and a Navy escort aircraft appears to shepherd them to a controlled landing.

The landing is a nerve-wracking blend of precision and endurance. Hassan guides Madolyn through a rapid, demanding approach, and the crew braces for impact as they near the runway. The impostor, once again resurrecting the danger, regains consciousness and makes one final attempt to seize control. He is shot and ejected from the aircraft, a grim reminder of the life-and-death stakes that defined the entire journey. The crash-landing is traumatic but ultimately successful, and Madolyn remains vigilant in the face of adversity as Winston is rushed to safety.

In the hours that follow, the danger shifts from the plane to the ground, as a fake paramedic moves into position within the emergency response chain, intent on smothering Winston and erasing the threat he poses to Moretti’s empire. Madolyn acts quickly, confronting the infiltrator and preventing the final act of murder. The moment is not only a victory for Winston but a vindication for Madolyn, who seizes the opportunity to expose the broader conspiracy by reaching out to Coleridge, the director who appears to be entangled with the criminal side. The arc of suspicion reaches a boiling point as Madolyn uncovers that Coleridge may be acting at cross purposes, revealing a deep-seated scheme that would jeopardize the entire witness protection effort.

As the smoke clears, a fragile sense of closure arrives with Winston’s survival and the sense that justice, though fragile, has not been lost. The sequence ends with Madolyn in a moment of quiet resolve, fortified by the difficult choices she has faced and the realization that the battle to bring Moretti to justice extends beyond a single flight. The reconciliation between duty and danger is underscored by the calm, human connection she shares with Winston in the aftermath, hinting at a future where the truth can prevail even in the face of relentless ambition and oppressive power.

Last Updated: October 14, 2025 at 04:07

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Risk

Don't stop at just watching — explore Risk in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Risk is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Risk Timeline

Track the full timeline of Risk with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Risk Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Risk

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Risk. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Risk

Risk Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Risk that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Risk Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Risk

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Risk: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Risk

Similar Movies to Risk

Discover movies like Risk that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.