Hijacked (2025): Vietnam’s High-Altitude Action Thriller Breaks Box Office Records

Hijacked (2025): Vietnam’s High-Altitude Thriller Takes Flight

Film & Entertainment - World Biz Magazine

Genre: Action / Thriller / Crime
Director: Ham Tran
Writers: Ham Tran, Nguyễn Hoàng Dương, Nguyễn Mai Nhật Ánh
Cast: Thái Hòa, Kaity Nguyễn, Thanh Sơn, Ma Ran Đô, Trâm Anh
Production: People’s Public Security Cinema Bureau, Galaxy EE, KAT House
Distributor: Galaxy Studio
Original Title: Tử Chiến Trên Không (Vietnam)
Runtime: 118 minutes
Country: Vietnam
Language: Vietnamese

Explore Hijacked on World Biz Journals: https://worldbizjournals.com/titles/728097/hijacked

A High-Stakes Story Above the Clouds

Hijacked delivers an intense, adrenaline-charged narrative with its setting almost entirely at 30,000 feet. Inspired by a series of real hijackings in post-Vietnam War history notably the Vietnam Civil Aviation flights in the late 1970s the movie tells a gripping tale of survival when a commercial aircraft is seized by armed hijackers shortly after takeoff.

Veteran actor Thái Hòa portrays Long, the cunning leader of the hijackers, while Kaity Nguyễn and Trâm Anh bring emotional gravitas as flight attendants caught in the deadly struggle. Thanh Sơn, Ma Ran Đô, and others round out an ensemble focused on resilience, sacrifice, and the complex battle between survival instincts and strategic resistance in the cabin’s confined space.

The storyline deftly balances nail-biting action sequences with moments of human connection and distress, keeping audiences on edge while shedding light on bravery and cooperation among the passengers and crew as they confront overwhelming danger.

Production & Cinematic Craftsmanship

Directed, co-written, and co-produced by Ham Tran, Hijacked represents a major milestone in modern Vietnamese cinema. The film’s screenplay was shaped alongside writers Nguyễn Hoàng Dương and Nguyễn Mai Nhật Ánh, with veteran cinematographer Hoàng Trung Nam crafting the claustrophobic tension and aerial atmosphere that define the film’s immersive visual language.

The production itself involved multiple Vietnamese film studios including the People’s Public Security Cinema Bureau and Galaxy EE combining local studio expertise with high-end visual effects collaboration from South Korea and Singapore. This ambitious technical effort aimed to faithfully recreate the harrowing moments flights can sometimes face at cruising altitude.

Global Release & Theatrical Rollout

Hijacked was released theatrically in Vietnam on December 5, 2025, where it quickly became a commercial standout. The film’s Vietnam box office run was strong, with grosses reportedly surpassing 251.8 billion Vietnamese đồng (USD 10.6 million) a robust figure for local production standards and a testament to the film’s wide appeal in its home market.

While its international theatrical footprint is still expanding, the film has also been featured as the opening film of Vietnam Film Week - Journey of Light in Paris, premiering in one of Europe’s landmark venues, Le Grand Rex, further solidifying its cultural export reach and signaling growing interest abroad.

Box Office Breakdown

Because Hijacked is primarily distributed through traditional theatrical channels rather than global streaming releases, available box office figures reflect regional markets where public data has been reported:

• Vietnam (Domestic) -251.8 billion VND (approx. USD 10.6 million) (end of run)
• France (Festival/Art House Runs) - Limited engagements via Vietnam Film Week screenings, with attendance and gross figures pending official disclosure.
• Other Southeast Asian Markets - Local releases in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand have been reported but detailed revenue breakdowns are still in circulation; distribution partners are confirming box office data. Pending official reporting
• Global Distribution - Film festival slots and potential later streaming/licensing deals are expected to drive further earnings into 2026.

Critical Reception & Audience Response

Professional Reviews

Hijacked has had a varied response from critics, with much praise directed toward its action choreography, authentic tension, and emotionally charged performances from the lead cast.

On Rotten Tomatoes, although the professional critic sample size remains limited, early technical reviews remark on its bold ambition - particularly its claustrophobic flight-set action sequences - though some critics noted unevenness in pacing and character development.

Independent rating trackers (e.g., RatingGraph) report a 7.5/10 audience average, indicating solid viewer appreciation for its thrills and cinematic intensity compared with its peers in the action genre.

World Biz Journals Perspective

In its World Biz Journals review, the film has been recognized for its cultural significance - noted as one of Vietnam’s most ambitious action epics of the decade - and given a balanced editorial rating that acknowledges its genre strengths and occasional narrative overreach.

“A compelling blend of historical homage and pulse-pounding action, Hijacked elevates Vietnamese commercial cinema to new heights, even as it navigates some genre-typical storytelling conventions.” - World Biz Journals review

This evaluation underscores the movie’s impact on both domestic film culture and its potential appeal to international audiences.

World Biz Journals - Critical Rating

In its official editorial review, World Biz Journals recognized Hijacked (2025) as one of the most ambitious Vietnamese action-thrillers of the year, awarding it:

8/10 Editorial Rating
94% Overall Score

World Biz Journals praised the film for:

·       Its high-tension, contained-space action sequences set almost entirely aboard the aircraft

·       Ham Tran’s disciplined direction and historical inspiration

·       Thái Hòa’s commanding performance as the hijacker leader

·       Strong supporting performances from Kaity Nguyễn and Thanh Sơn

·       The film’s technical ambition within Vietnamese commercial cinema

The review noted that while certain character arcs follow familiar thriller conventions, the execution, pacing, and emotional stakes elevate Hijacked above standard genre fare.

“Hijacked demonstrates the rising production strength of Vietnamese cinema - a suspense-driven thriller that combines historical gravity with commercial intensity.” - World Biz Journals

Cast Highlights & Behind-the-Scenes Buzz

• Thái Hòa, a household name in Vietnam, anchors the cast with his portrayal of Long a role that has drawn particular acclaim for its layered intensity and psychological nuance.
• Kaity Nguyễn, known for her range in action and drama, delivers a standout performance that has spurred early awards buzz in Vietnamese film circles.
• Thanh Sơn and Ma Ran Đô contribute notable supporting work that accentuates the ensemble’s emotional stakes.

Director Ham Tran has been quoted in press statements as aiming to “blend real history with cinematic spectacle,” a vision that has earned the film domestic critical awards consideration and invitations to international showcases.

Cultural Impact & Legacy Potential

Hijacked stands as a landmark in Vietnamese genre filmmaking, looser in scale than Hollywood fare but rich in historical context and localized narrative force. As one of the first films to dramatize Vietnam’s post-1975 hijacking events on the big screen, it offers both entertainment and a culturally rooted historical lens - a combination that is generating discussion among critics and audiences alike.

Industry observers note that its success underscores the rising international interest in Southeast Asian cinema and may open doors for similar regionally grounded thrillers to find global distribution partners in 2026 and beyond.

Conclusion

Hijacked (2025) showcases the evolution of Vietnamese action cinema, merging real-world inspiration with blockbuster-style thrills. Its strong domestic box office performance, critical attention, and cultural resonance - coupled with an ambitious creative team led by Ham Tran and a compelling ensemble cast - position it as one of the year’s most watched international thrillers.

For both dedicated genre fans and global film markets tracking emerging cinematic voices, Hijacked is not just a high-altitude thriller - it’s a sign of Vietnam’s expanding footprint on the world stage of entertainment.