Sydney Sweeney straps onto airplane top in Tom Cruise-style stunt
Synopsis
Sydney Sweeney strapped herself to a single-engine plane mid-flight, filmed the whole thing with one hand, and captioned it 'Watch out Tom Cruise.' It is a pointed, very public signal that one of Hollywood's fastest-rising actresses is done being pigeonholed — and willing to go airborne to prove it.
Key Takeaways
Sydney Sweeney shared an Instagram video of herself strapped to the exterior of a single-engine plane flying at full speed and flipping upside down.
She captioned the clip 'Watch out Tom Cruise,' directly referencing the actor's famous stunt legacy.
Actress Leslie Mann and the 'Top Gun Movies' Instagram page both commented on the video.
Sweeney's latest film, The Housemaid (directed by Paul Feig , co-starring Amanda Seyfried ), is already getting a sequel slated for 17 December 2027 .
She is also set to star in The Custom of the Country , directed by Josie Rourke , based on Edith Wharton 's 1913 novel.
Actress Sydney Sweeney has taken daredevil filmmaking to new heights — literally — by strapping herself to the top of a single-engine aircraft and filming the stunt herself, drawing immediate comparisons to Tom Cruise's legendary practical-effects reputation.
The Stunt in Detail
Sweeney shared a video on Instagram in which she is seen holding a camera in one hand while secured to the exterior of a small single-engine plane. The footage captures the aircraft moving at full speed and flipping upside down multiple times with the actress attached throughout. The clip has drawn widespread attention for its sheer audacity.
Sweeney captioned the post with a direct challenge: 'Watch out Tom Cruise,' a nod to the Mission: Impossible star's well-documented habit of performing his own high-risk stunts.
Celebrity Reactions
The video quickly drew responses from fellow stars and film pages. Actress Leslie Mann commented, 'Be Careful!!' The 'Top Gun Movies' Instagram page joined in, writing, 'Feel the need for speed' — a reference to the iconic line from Cruise's 1986 film.
Who Is Sydney Sweeney
Sweeney first gained recognition in 2018 through roles in Everything Sucks!, The Handmaid's Tale, and Sharp Objects. She rose to broader acclaim with her performances in the drama series Euphoria and the first season of the anthology series The White Lotus.
Her film career has since expanded considerably. She earned critical praise for her role in the drama film Reality and for portraying professional boxer Christy Martin in the biopic Christy. Her box office credits include Anyone but You, The Housemaid, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Madame Web, and Immaculate.
Upcoming Projects
Sweeney's most recent release is The Housemaid, directed by Paul Feig and based on the 2022 novel by Freida McFadden. The film, which also stars Amanda Seyfried, follows Millie Calloway — a young woman with a troubled past who becomes a live-in maid for a wealthy family harbouring dark secrets. A sequel is already in development, with both Feig and Sweeney set to return; it is scheduled for release on 17 December 2027.
She is also attached to The Custom of the Country, an upcoming tragicomedy written and directed by Josie Rourke, based on Edith Wharton's 1913 novel. The film follows an ambitious woman who moves from the Midwest to New York City in pursuit of social ascent. With a packed slate and now a viral stunt to her name, Sweeney is clearly positioning herself as one of Hollywood's most versatile and fearless performers.
Point of View
A psychological thriller, and now a viral action moment that puts her name alongside Cruise's in the same sentence. Hollywood's action landscape is shifting toward female leads who do more than look the part, and Sweeney appears to be making a deliberate claim on that space. Whether the stunt translates into franchise-level action casting is the real question her team is likely betting on.
NationPress
25 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What stunt did Sydney Sweeney perform on an airplane?
Sydney Sweeney strapped herself to the exterior of a single-engine plane and filmed herself with one hand as the aircraft flew at full speed and flipped upside down multiple times. She shared the video on Instagram with the caption 'Watch out Tom Cruise.'
Who reacted to Sydney Sweeney's airplane stunt video?
Actress Leslie Mann commented 'Be Careful!!' on the post, while the 'Top Gun Movies' Instagram page wrote 'Feel the need for speed,' referencing the classic Tom Cruise film.
What is Sydney Sweeney's latest film?
Her latest film is The Housemaid, directed by Paul Feig and based on Freida McFadden's 2022 novel. It co-stars Amanda Seyfried and follows a young woman who becomes a live-in maid for a family with dark secrets. A sequel is in development, set for release on 17 December 2027.
What is Sydney Sweeney's next upcoming project?
Sweeney is set to star in The Custom of the Country, a tragicomedy written and directed by Josie Rourke, based on Edith Wharton's 1913 novel about an ambitious woman climbing New York City's social ladder.
How did Sydney Sweeney rise to fame?
Sweeney first gained recognition in 2018 through roles in Everything Sucks!, The Handmaid's Tale, and Sharp Objects. She rose to wider acclaim through the drama series Euphoria and the first season of The White Lotus, and has since built a substantial film career.
