Marisa Tomei joins Liam Neeson in 'The Mongoose' for October release
The 61-year-old actress plays the ex-wife of a Special Forces veteran in a high-speed thriller hitting screens Oct. 30.
By Carmen Wojcik ·
Marisa Tomei, 61, said she did not hesitate to join Liam Neeson in the racing thriller “The Mongoose.” The film is set to open in theaters on Oct. 30, 2026.
Tomei plays Tara, the ex-wife of Ryan “Fang” Flanagan. Neeson, 74, portrays Flanagan as a decorated Special Forces soldier returning from Afghanistan. The character suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and faces false charges that drive the plot.
“And my goodness,” Tomei said in a phone interview, “he’s gone through a lot. He’s an American hero, and he’s suffering from some version of PTSD.”
The story follows Tara as she navigates a high-speed car chase. She is engaged to a man who has revealed new and troubling traits. This revelation triggers the main action sequence in the film.
“She has a ‘type.’ Let’s put it that way,” Tomei said. “And she’s had some rocky relationships.”
Tara and Fang have known each other since high school. Their deep connection remains even after their marriage ends. “The love of her life is Fang. And it’s reciprocal. They love each other deeply. It didn’t line up for many reasons, but the love never died,” Tomei said.
The narrative is set in Georgia, a location chosen because military personnel from various branches live there due to nearby bases and training facilities. Actual filming took place at multiple locations in Australia. Tomei noted that the movie balances the trauma of war with humor and stunts. “The stunts are incredible in this movie. And there’s a lot of humor in this movie too. Although it has this story of the trauma of war, it also is just extremely entertaining,” she said.
