Navigating the Terminal of Terror: Netflix's Carry-On

A High-Stakes Premise

Netflix’s 2024 thriller Carry-On, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, plunges viewers into a high-stakes, claustrophobic nightmare set within the bustling confines of a Christmas Eve airport. Starring Taron Egerton as a beleaguered TSA agent and Jason Bateman in a surprisingly menacing turn as the villainous “Traveler,” the film embraces its B-movie sensibilities with a confident stride, delivering a taut cat-and-mouse game that, while occasionally stretching the bounds of plausibility, ultimately provides a satisfying and undeniably entertaining ride.

At its core, Carry-On is a classic “everyman in an impossible situation” narrative. Ethan Kopek (Egerton) is a disillusioned TSA officer, his dreams of becoming a police officer dashed by a past transgression. On the busiest travel day of the year, he finds himself blackmailed by an unseen terrorist, the Traveler (Bateman), who forces him to facilitate the smuggling of a deadly nerve agent onto a crowded flight. The tension is immediate and relentless, amplified by the fact that Ethan’s pregnant girlfriend also works at the airport, making the threat incredibly personal. The film masterfully exploits the inherent stress of airport security, turning mundane tasks like scanning bags into nail-biting acts of espionage, with every flicker of an eye or whispered word potentially sealing the fate of hundreds.

The Dynamic Duo

What truly elevates Carry-On beyond a generic thriller is the dynamic between its two leads. Taron Egerton, shedding some of his usual suave demeanor, imbues Ethan with a relatable vulnerability and a desperate ingenuity. He’s not a seasoned action hero, but an ordinary man pushed to extraordinary limits, forced to think on his feet and make impossible choices. His frustration, fear, and burgeoning determination are palpable. Opposing him, Jason Bateman delivers a chillingly effective performance as the Traveler. Far from his usual comedic or morally ambiguous roles, Bateman exudes a calm, almost detached malevolence, his voice a disquieting whisper in Ethan’s ear, laced with philosophical pronouncements and casual threats. Their verbal sparring, a constant game of psychological warfare played out through a discreet earpiece, forms the backbone of the film’s suspense, even more so than the physical action.

Contained Chaos and Thrills

While Carry-On often revels in its “Die Hard at an airport” premise, it carves out its own niche by focusing heavily on the procedural details of airport security and the mental chess match between hero and villain. Director Jaume Collet-Serra, a veteran of contained thrillers, utilizes the airport setting effectively, creating a sense of constant surveillance and limited escape. The tight close-ups on scanners, the labyrinthine baggage handling systems, and the chaotic crowds all contribute to the feeling of an impending disaster. However, the film isn’t afraid to lean into its more improbable moments, especially in the later acts. Plot holes and contrivances certainly exist, but the film’s brisk pacing and commitment to its premise make it easy to forgive these lapses for the sake of the escalating entertainment.

A Worthwhile Ride

Ultimately, Carry-On is a testament to the enduring appeal of the high-concept thriller. It doesn’t aspire to reinvent the wheel, but rather to deliver a well-executed, popcorn-worthy experience. It’s a film that thrives on tension, relies on strong performances, and leverages a familiar setting to create a fresh sense of dread. For those seeking a taut, engaging ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat, Carry-On is a worthwhile addition to Netflix’s growing catalog of effective genre cinema, proving that sometimes, all you need is a compelling premise and two excellent actors to make a compelling trip.