Sydney Sweeney straps onto airplane top in Tom Cruise-style stunt
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
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.