Netflix’s latest thriller, Carry-On, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, takes audiences on a chaotic ride through Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Christmas Eve—a time notorious for travel turmoil. Central to the film is TSA officer Ethan Kopek, played by Taron Egerton, who finds himself caught between his professional duties and dire personal threats.
Carry-On begins as Ethan, who is about to become a father, aims for promotion on one of the busiest travel days of the year. Unfortunately, he quickly becomes embroiled in a nefarious plot spearheaded by the sinister Traveler, portrayed by Jason Bateman. Bateman’s character emerges as both charming and menacing, using threats against Ethan's pregnant girlfriend, Nora, played by Sofia Carson, to manipulate him. This leads to Ethan facing the impossible choice of allowing dangerous cargo to bypass security or endangering the life of his loved one.
Referring to Bateman’s unexpected role as the film's antagonist, Carson remarked, "It's extraordinary to see Jason Bateman as the bad guy," adding, "His character is not the typical super-sleek villain." Viewers witness the Traveler orchestrate tension as he blackmails Ethan, leading him to comply with allowing luggage filled with Russian chemical agents onto a flight.
Despite the film's lead actors being well known, critiques arose surrounding their performances. Scott McDaniel, assistant professor of journalism, emphasized how, early on, Egerton's portrayal felt lacking dimension, describing it as "off the mark" and noting Carson's performance appeared "expressionless" at times. Critics argue the early scenes suffer from clumsy dialogue and unrealistic character interactions, which diminish the stakes of what could be lethal chaos.
Yet, as the story progresses, tension increases, and Ethan’s initial passiveness shifts to desperate determination. Midway through the film, following moments of ineffective dialogue, Egerton begins to embody vulnerability and urgency, transitioning the story from stagnant exposition to thrilling escape scenes. McDaniel noted, "Egerton starts to panic, and he is at his best in vulnerable roles," allowing audiences to engage with the mounting tension.
Interestingly, Carry-On is depicted as not just about rescuing Nora but also about Ethan reclaiming his confidence and sense of purpose, themes prevalent throughout the movie. Carson’s character, Nora, encouraging him amid the pandemonium, establishes her as the emotional backbone of the film. She stated, "Nora has blossomed because she's fearless, brave, and bold," and her portrayal resonates with audiences, grounding the elaborate plot.
Critically, Carry-On balances its action-packed narrative with humor, aiming to replicate the charm of festive thrillers like Die Hard. Carson described the film as "a popcorn delight" and "an epic thriller," appropriately setting up expectations for viewers.
Nevertheless, the movie is not without its flaws. Critics have pointed out several plot holes, pushing the boundaries of believability. A particularly glaring oversight is the lax security measures at LAX, allowing the Traveler easy passage with perilous cargo. Questions arise—how does someone carrying poison evade all airport security measures on one of the busiest days?
Additional critiques highlight minor characters and sometimes jarring tonal shifts, such as the abrupt integration of comedic elements amid tense moments. Reviewers reacted unfavorably to what they perceived as artificially crafted sequences intended to generate humor but often felt misplaced.
Despite mixed reviews, the concluding segments become gripping as Ethan's desperate attempts to thwart the Traveler culminate in nail-biting sequences aboard the plane. Critics note how these moments offset some earlier narrative missteps—though embedded with film logic flaws, they prove entertaining.
Upon its release, Carry-On garnered decent acclaim, achieving approximately 85% approval from critics on Rotten Tomatoes—a figure declared not reflective of everyone’s views. One cannot help but feel the film manages to merge holiday cheer with adrenaline, albeit imperfectly. McDaniel aptly noted, "Carry-On is not exactly first-class, but it was worth the trip," remarking how it entertains even when it falters.
Overall, Netflix’s Carry-On reflects the growing trend of action films merging holiday spirit with thrilling narratives, filling the niche of unconventional holiday viewing experiences. Its combination of familiar faces, engaging action scenes, and holiday undertones create a distinctive viewing spectacle, even if plagued by logical inconsistencies.
The film is now streaming on Netflix, inviting audiences to explore this twist on Christmas storytelling.
