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'''''Carry-On''''' is a 2024 American ] film directed by ] and written by T.J. Fixman. The film stars ], ], ] and ]. Its plot follows a young ] officer who is blackmailed into |
'''''Carry-On''''' is a 2024 American ] film directed by ] and written by T.J. Fixman. The film stars ], ], ] and ]. Its plot follows a young ] officer who is blackmailed into allowing a ] onboard a flight during ]. | ||
''Carry-On'' was released by ] on December 13, 2024, and received positive reviews from critics. It earned more views during its opening week than any other film released on Netflix in 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last=Campione |first=Karen |date=December 17, 2024 |title=‘Carry-On’ Soars To Netflix’s Biggest Film Debut Of The Year As ‘Black Doves’ Continues TV Reign |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/carry-on-black-doves-netflix-ratings-top-10-1236208803/ |access-date=December 27, 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
''Carry-On'' was released by ] on December 13, 2024. The film received generally positive reviews from critics. | |||
⚫ | ==Plot<!-- Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summary should be between 400 to 700 words. -->== | ||
==Plot== | |||
⚫ | Ethan Kopek, a ] (TSA) officer at ], has become cynical and unambitious after failing the police academy by concealing his father's criminal history. On Christmas Eve, his pregnant girlfriend, Nora, encourages him to reapply and pursue his dream. Instead, Ethan requests his supervisor, Phil Sarkowski, assign him to manage a baggage-scanning lane, hoping to demonstrate his merit for a promotion. | ||
⚫ | <!-- Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summary should be between 400 to 700 words. --> | ||
⚫ | |||
During his shift, Ethan receives an earbud, through which he is contacted by a ruthless mercenary, the Traveler, who orders him to let a specific carry-on case pass through the scanner—or Nora will be killed. The Traveler's accomplice, the Watcher, monitors Ethan through the surveillance system, thwarting his attempts to alert the authorities. Ethan secretly warns his colleague, Lionel, using a message written in invisible ink. However, before Lionel can act, the Traveler poisons him with ], causing a fatal heart attack |
During his shift, Ethan receives an earbud, through which he is contacted by a ruthless mercenary, the Traveler, who orders him to let a specific carry-on case pass through the scanner—or Nora will be killed. The Traveler's accomplice, the Watcher, monitors Ethan through the surveillance system, thwarting his attempts to alert the authorities. Ethan secretly warns his colleague, Lionel, using a message written in invisible ink. However, before Lionel can act, the Traveler poisons him with ], causing a fatal heart attack. | ||
Due to Ethan's seemingly erratic behavior, his friend Jason takes over his position. The Traveler forces Ethan to get him fired by framing him for being drunk on the job. As instructed, Ethan lets Mateo Flores pass through with the carry-on case. The Traveler then reveals its contents: ], a lethal and incurable nerve agent. | |||
Meanwhile, ] detective Elena Cole investigates a double homicide and discovers the victims had smuggled Novichok into the country. Cole alerts the ] (DHS) and connects the threat to Ethan's aborted 911 call. In response, a terminal-wide sweep is ordered. Ethan adds Mateo to the list of passengers flagged for inspection. However, the Traveler suspects Ethan's interference and |
Meanwhile, ] (LAPD) detective Elena Cole investigates a double homicide and discovers the victims had smuggled Novichok into the country. Cole alerts the ] (DHS) and connects the threat to Ethan's aborted 911 call. In response, a terminal-wide sweep is ordered. Ethan adds Mateo to the list of passengers flagged for inspection. However, the Traveler suspects Ethan's interference and confronts him in the restroom. Ethan seizes the Traveler's ]. In retaliation, the Traveler arms the Novichok bomb. | ||
Mateo is detained for inspection by Sarkowski, but Ethan interrupts, holding them both at gunpoint. Ethan refuses to shoot Sarkowski, leading Mateo to fatally stab |
Mateo is detained for inspection by Sarkowski, but Ethan interrupts, holding them both at gunpoint. Ethan refuses to shoot Sarkowski, leading Mateo to fatally stab Sarkowski. Mateo reveals that he, too, is being coerced, as the Watcher is holding his husband, Jesse, hostage. With time running out, the Traveler guides Ethan to reset the bomb. Afterward, Mateo is ordered to kill Ethan, but the plastic gun overheats and explodes, killing Mateo. The Traveler retrieves the Novichok case and orders the Watcher to kill Nora. Ethan uses Mateo's phone to warn her. Nora narrowly evades the Watcher, who is ultimately killed by Jesse. | ||
En route to the airport with DHS agent John Alcott, Cole soon realizes |
En route to the airport with DHS agent John Alcott, Cole soon realizes the agent is an imposter—one of the Traveler's accomplices—and kills him in self-defense. Upon arriving at the airport, Cole confronts Ethan, confirms the active threat, and alerts the LAPD, initiating a terminal shutdown. Cole uncovers that the Traveler's target is a congresswoman aboard a flight to ], who advocates for increased weapons funding. The Novichok attack is designed to implicate Russia, ensuring congressional approval of substantial defense spending, thereby enriching weapons manufacturers. | ||
The Traveler boards the flight, unaware that Ethan has switched the bomb into an identical but larger suitcase, forcing him to stow it in the plane's cargo hold. Ethan infiltrates the hold to disarm the bomb, while Nora persuades Cole to allow the flight to take off, preventing the Traveler from becoming suspicious. As Ethan begins dismantling the bomb, the Traveler receives an alert and confronts him at gunpoint. Before the Traveler can re-arm the Novichok and escape using a parachute, Ethan locks him inside an airtight refrigeration unit with the nerve agent, killing him. The plane safely returns to the airport. | The Traveler boards the flight, unaware that Ethan has switched the bomb into an identical but larger suitcase, forcing him to stow it in the plane's cargo hold. Ethan infiltrates the hold to disarm the bomb, while Nora persuades Cole to allow the flight to take off, preventing the Traveler from becoming suspicious. As Ethan begins dismantling the bomb, the Traveler receives an alert and confronts him at gunpoint. Before the Traveler can re-arm the Novichok and escape using a parachute, Ethan locks him inside an airtight refrigeration unit with the nerve agent, killing him. The plane safely returns to the airport. | ||
One year later, Ethan, Nora, and their child pass through a TSA checkpoint as they prepare to travel to Tahiti with Jason and his family. Ethan places his LAPD badge in the scanning tray. | One year later, Ethan, Nora, and their child pass through a TSA checkpoint as they prepare to travel to Tahiti with Jason and his family. Ethan places his LAPD badge in the scanning tray. | ||
==Cast== | ==Cast== | ||
* ] as Ethan Kopek, a 30-year-old man who works as a TSA officer at the LA International Airport. | |||
{{Cast listing| | |||
* ] as Traveler, a ruthless mercenary who blackmails Ethan to deliver a dangerous package, known as the Novichok. | |||
* ] as Ethan Kopek | |||
* ] as Nora Parisi, a 27-year-old woman who works as manager of Northwind Terminal Operations. She's also Ethan's girlfriend who's pregnant with their child. | |||
* ] as the Traveler | |||
* ] as |
* ] as Elena Cole, an LAPD detective. | ||
* ] as Watcher, Traveler's partner who helps him spy on Ethan to make sure that the package goes through TSA. | |||
* ] as Elena Cole | |||
* ] as Agent Alcott, a DHS agent but only to reveal that he's impersonating and one of Traveler's accomplices. | |||
* Tonatiuh as Mateo Flores | |||
⚫ | * ] as Phil Sarkowski, supervisor of LA International Airport's TSA. | ||
* ] as the Watcher | |||
* ] as Jason Noble, Ethan's friend who's also a TSA officer. He reveals to have a wife named Rochelle and twin sons. | |||
* ] as Agent John Alcott | |||
⚫ | * ] as Lionel Williams, Ethan's colleague who works as a police officer. | ||
⚫ | * ] as Phil Sarkowski | ||
* ] as Herschel, Elena's partner who's in charge of voice recordings on crime scenes. | |||
* ] as Jason Noble | |||
⚫ | * ] as Lionel Williams | ||
* Joe Williamson as Ron Dunn | |||
* ] as Eddie | |||
* ] as Herschel | |||
}} | |||
==Production== | ==Production== | ||
In June 2021, ] signed a deal with ] to produce multiple films per year for the streaming service.<ref name="AmblinNetflixDeal">{{cite news|title=Hell Freezes Over? Steven Spielberg's Amblin Partners In Deal To Make Movies For Netflix|url=https://deadline.com/2021/06/steven-spielberg-amblin-netflix-partnership-movies-the-trial-of-the-chicago-7-bradley-cooper-the-maestro-1234778665/|last=Kroll|first=Justin|work=]|date=June 21, 2021|access-date=October 19, 2022|archive-date=October 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019014653/https://deadline.com/2021/06/steven-spielberg-amblin-netflix-partnership-movies-the-trial-of-the-chicago-7-bradley-cooper-the-maestro-1234778665/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Carry-On'' was originally planned to be the first film to come from the deal |
In June 2021, ] signed a deal with ] to produce multiple films per year for the streaming service.<ref name="AmblinNetflixDeal">{{cite news|title=Hell Freezes Over? Steven Spielberg's Amblin Partners In Deal To Make Movies For Netflix|url=https://deadline.com/2021/06/steven-spielberg-amblin-netflix-partnership-movies-the-trial-of-the-chicago-7-bradley-cooper-the-maestro-1234778665/|last=Kroll|first=Justin|work=]|date=June 21, 2021|access-date=October 19, 2022|archive-date=October 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019014653/https://deadline.com/2021/06/steven-spielberg-amblin-netflix-partnership-movies-the-trial-of-the-chicago-7-bradley-cooper-the-maestro-1234778665/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Carry-On'' was originally planned to be the first film to come from the deal, the initial draft of the screenplay was written by former ] writer T. J. Fixman, with ] writing another draft.<ref name="Egerton"/> Only Fixman was eventually credited with the screenplay while Green received an off-screen "Additional Literary Material" credit.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://directories.wga.org/project/1234382/carry-on |title=''Carry On''|date=March 27, 2024|access-date=October 16, 2024 |website=]}}</ref> Fixman intended the film to be an illustration of the ].<ref name=NYT-Fixman>{{cite news |last=Chung |first=Christine |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/25/travel/carry-on-netflix-movie-thriller.html |url-access=limited |title=The Writer of the Netflix Hit ‘Carry-On’ Talks About the ‘Trolley Problem’ and the T.S.A. |date=December 26, 2024 |access-date=December 27, 2024 |work=The New York Times |location=New York City |quote=Which is not to say everything plays out according to the T.S.A. handbook. “We deviated when we needed to take creative license for the sake of the movie,” Mr. Fixman said.}}</ref> | ||
In July 2022, it was announced that ] was attached to star in the lead role of Ethan Kopek.<ref name="Egerton">{{cite news|title=Taron Egerton To Star In Thriller 'Carry On' For Jaume Collet-Serra, Amblin And Netflix|url=https://deadline.com/2022/07/carry-on-taron-egerton-jaume-collet-serra-1235078211/|last=Kroll|first=Justin|work=]|date=July 27, 2022|access-date=October 19, 2022|archive-date=July 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727173208/https://deadline.com/2022/07/carry-on-taron-egerton-jaume-collet-serra-1235078211/|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2022, ] joined the film co-starring alongside Egerton as the mysterious traveler.<ref name="Bateman">{{cite news|title=Jason Bateman To Co-Star Opposite Taron Egerton In Amblin And Netflix Thriller 'Carry On' From Jaume Collet-Serra|url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/jason-bateman-taron-egerton-in-amblin-netflix-carry-on-jaume-collet-serra-1235104497/|last=Kroll|first=Justin|work=]|date=August 31, 2022|access-date=October 19, 2022|archive-date=October 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017214420/https://deadline.com/2022/08/jason-bateman-taron-egerton-in-amblin-netflix-carry-on-jaume-collet-serra-1235104497/|url-status=live}}</ref> ] and ] joined the cast in September 2022.<ref name="Carson&Deadwyler">{{cite news|title='Purple Hearts' Star Sofia Carson And Netflix Find Next Project To Team On With Thriller 'Carry On', 'Till' Star Danielle Deadwyler Also On Board|url=https://deadline.com/2022/09/purple-hearts-sofia-carson-netflix-carry-on-taron-egerton-1235127061/|last=Kroll|first=Justin|work=]|date=September 26, 2022|access-date=October 19, 2022|archive-date=February 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228061812/https://deadline.com/2022/09/purple-hearts-sofia-carson-netflix-carry-on-taron-egerton-1235127061/|url-status=live}}</ref> ] joined the cast in October 2022.<ref name="Rossi">{{cite news|title=Theo Rossi Boards Jason Bateman & Taron Egerton Netflix Amblin Thriller 'Carry On'|url=https://deadline.com/2022/10/netflix-jason-bateman-taron-egerton-carry-on-movie-theo-rossi-1235135048/|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|work=]|date=October 4, 2022|access-date=October 19, 2022|archive-date=October 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016235221/https://deadline.com/2022/10/netflix-jason-bateman-taron-egerton-carry-on-movie-theo-rossi-1235135048/|url-status=live}}</ref> ], ], and ] were among the eight new cast additions to join the film later that month.<ref name="AdditionalCast">{{cite news|title='Carry-On': Dean Norris, Tonatiuh, Logan Marshall Green & Sinqua Walls Among 8 New Cast In Netflix Amblin Thriller|url=https://deadline.com/2022/10/carry-on-dean-norris-tonatiuh-logan-marshall-green-sinqua-walls-8-new-cast-netflix-amblin-thriller-1235147016/|last=Cordero|first=Rosy|work=]|date=October 17, 2022|access-date=October 19, 2022|archive-date=October 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018065527/https://deadline.com/2022/10/carry-on-dean-norris-tonatiuh-logan-marshall-green-sinqua-walls-8-new-cast-netflix-amblin-thriller-1235147016/|url-status=live}}</ref> | In July 2022, it was announced that ] was attached to star in the lead role of Ethan Kopek.<ref name="Egerton">{{cite news|title=Taron Egerton To Star In Thriller 'Carry On' For Jaume Collet-Serra, Amblin And Netflix|url=https://deadline.com/2022/07/carry-on-taron-egerton-jaume-collet-serra-1235078211/|last=Kroll|first=Justin|work=]|date=July 27, 2022|access-date=October 19, 2022|archive-date=July 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727173208/https://deadline.com/2022/07/carry-on-taron-egerton-jaume-collet-serra-1235078211/|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2022, ] joined the film co-starring alongside Egerton as the mysterious traveler.<ref name="Bateman">{{cite news|title=Jason Bateman To Co-Star Opposite Taron Egerton In Amblin And Netflix Thriller 'Carry On' From Jaume Collet-Serra|url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/jason-bateman-taron-egerton-in-amblin-netflix-carry-on-jaume-collet-serra-1235104497/|last=Kroll|first=Justin|work=]|date=August 31, 2022|access-date=October 19, 2022|archive-date=October 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017214420/https://deadline.com/2022/08/jason-bateman-taron-egerton-in-amblin-netflix-carry-on-jaume-collet-serra-1235104497/|url-status=live}}</ref> ] and ] joined the cast in September 2022.<ref name="Carson&Deadwyler">{{cite news|title='Purple Hearts' Star Sofia Carson And Netflix Find Next Project To Team On With Thriller 'Carry On', 'Till' Star Danielle Deadwyler Also On Board|url=https://deadline.com/2022/09/purple-hearts-sofia-carson-netflix-carry-on-taron-egerton-1235127061/|last=Kroll|first=Justin|work=]|date=September 26, 2022|access-date=October 19, 2022|archive-date=February 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228061812/https://deadline.com/2022/09/purple-hearts-sofia-carson-netflix-carry-on-taron-egerton-1235127061/|url-status=live}}</ref> ] joined the cast in October 2022.<ref name="Rossi">{{cite news|title=Theo Rossi Boards Jason Bateman & Taron Egerton Netflix Amblin Thriller 'Carry On'|url=https://deadline.com/2022/10/netflix-jason-bateman-taron-egerton-carry-on-movie-theo-rossi-1235135048/|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|work=]|date=October 4, 2022|access-date=October 19, 2022|archive-date=October 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016235221/https://deadline.com/2022/10/netflix-jason-bateman-taron-egerton-carry-on-movie-theo-rossi-1235135048/|url-status=live}}</ref> ], ], and ] were among the eight new cast additions to join the film later that month.<ref name="AdditionalCast">{{cite news|title='Carry-On': Dean Norris, Tonatiuh, Logan Marshall Green & Sinqua Walls Among 8 New Cast In Netflix Amblin Thriller|url=https://deadline.com/2022/10/carry-on-dean-norris-tonatiuh-logan-marshall-green-sinqua-walls-8-new-cast-netflix-amblin-thriller-1235147016/|last=Cordero|first=Rosy|work=]|date=October 17, 2022|access-date=October 19, 2022|archive-date=October 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018065527/https://deadline.com/2022/10/carry-on-dean-norris-tonatiuh-logan-marshall-green-sinqua-walls-8-new-cast-netflix-amblin-thriller-1235147016/|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
On an estimated budget of $47 million,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fastlaneng.louisianaeconomicdevelopment.com/public/search/ent |title=Fastlane NextGen: Initial Certification Search |website=Louisiana Economic Development |format=Type "Carry On" in the search box |access-date= January 13, 2023 |archive-date=June 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615095911/https://fastlaneng.louisianaeconomicdevelopment.com/public/search/ent |url-status=live }}</ref> ] took place in New Orleans, Louisiana from September 2022 to January 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Productions |url=https://filmneworleans.org/productions/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114192209/https://filmneworleans.org/productions/ |archive-date=January 14, 2023 |access-date=January 14, 2023 |website=New Orleans Film Commission}}</ref> | On an estimated budget of $47 million,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fastlaneng.louisianaeconomicdevelopment.com/public/search/ent |title=Fastlane NextGen: Initial Certification Search |website=Louisiana Economic Development |format=Type "Carry On" in the search box |access-date= January 13, 2023 |archive-date=June 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615095911/https://fastlaneng.louisianaeconomicdevelopment.com/public/search/ent |url-status=live }}</ref> ] took place in New Orleans, Louisiana from September 2022 to January 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Productions |url=https://filmneworleans.org/productions/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114192209/https://filmneworleans.org/productions/ |archive-date=January 14, 2023 |access-date=January 14, 2023 |website=New Orleans Film Commission}}</ref> | ||
The production had numerous technical and law enforcement advisers, but Fixman admits to taking ] with TSA procedures for the sake of the storyline.<ref name=NYT-Fixman/> | |||
==Release== | ==Release== | ||
''Carry-On'' was released on ] on December 13, 2024.<ref>{{cite web|title=Netflix 2024 Movie Slate Counts Titles From Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Jerry Seinfeld & Woody Woodpecker; 'Beverly Hills Cop 4' Sets Date|website=]|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|date= |
''Carry-On'' was produced by ], but was released under the ] banner.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Carry-On (2024) - About the Movie {{!}} Amblin |website=] |url=https://amblin.com/movie/carry-on/ |access-date=December 26, 2024}}</ref> ''Carry-On'' was released on ] on December 13, 2024.<ref>{{cite web|title=Netflix 2024 Movie Slate Counts Titles From Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Jerry Seinfeld & Woody Woodpecker; 'Beverly Hills Cop 4' Sets Date|website=]|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|date=February 1, 2024|access-date=February 5, 2024|url=https://deadline.com/2024/02/netflix-movie-dates-2024-1235810342/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Cohen |first1=Anne |last2=DeLillo |first2=John |date=August 28, 2024 |title=Carry-On: Taron Egerton Will Take Off in New Gripping Action Thriller |website=] |url=https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/carry-on-taron-egerton-movie-info |access-date=August 30, 2024}}</ref> | ||
Ten days after its release, the film had 97 million views, and was anticipated to become one of the top ten most-watched films on Netflix<ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=December 24, 2024 |title=‘Carry-On’ Closes In On Netflix All-Time Top 10 As ‘Virgin River’s Return Takes Top Weekly TV Spot |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/carry-on-virgin-river-la-palma-ratings-netflix-1236241847/ |access-date=December 25, 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
==Reception== | ==Reception== | ||
{{Rotten Tomatoes prose| |
{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|88|6.8|84|consensus=] and an against-type ] make for great adversaries in ''Carry-On'', a throwback thriller that clears all checkpoints of plot logic with its confident execution.|access-date=December 27, 2024|ref=y}}{{cbignore}} {{Metacritic film prose|68|26|access-date=December 27, 2024|ref=y}}{{cbignore}} | ||
Gergely Herpai "BadSector" gave the movie a FAIR (6.8/10) score to the movie on the website theGeek,<ref></ref> stating that "nobody comes to Carry-On expecting realism or profound storytelling. This is a film designed to fill a quiet Christmas evening on Netflix, a time when leaving the house feels like too much effort. On that front, it delivers." | |||
The TSA noted that the film contains inaccuracies but praised the filmmakers for portraying a TSA officer in a heroic light.<ref name=NYT-Fixman/> | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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Latest revision as of 22:13, 27 December 2024
2024 film by Jaume Collet-SerraFor other uses, see Carry On (disambiguation).
Carry-On | |
---|---|
Release poster | |
Directed by | Jaume Collet-Serra |
Written by | T.J. Fixman |
Produced by | Dylan Clark |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Lyle Vincent |
Edited by |
|
Music by | Lorne Balfe |
Production companies |
|
Distributed by | Netflix |
Release date |
|
Running time | 119 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $47 million |
Carry-On is a 2024 American action thriller film directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and written by T.J. Fixman. The film stars Taron Egerton, Sofia Carson, Danielle Deadwyler and Jason Bateman. Its plot follows a young TSA officer who is blackmailed into allowing a nerve agent onboard a flight during Christmas Eve.
Carry-On was released by Netflix on December 13, 2024, and received positive reviews from critics. It earned more views during its opening week than any other film released on Netflix in 2024.
Plot
Ethan Kopek, a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer at Los Angeles International Airport, has become cynical and unambitious after failing the police academy by concealing his father's criminal history. On Christmas Eve, his pregnant girlfriend, Nora, encourages him to reapply and pursue his dream. Instead, Ethan requests his supervisor, Phil Sarkowski, assign him to manage a baggage-scanning lane, hoping to demonstrate his merit for a promotion.
During his shift, Ethan receives an earbud, through which he is contacted by a ruthless mercenary, the Traveler, who orders him to let a specific carry-on case pass through the scanner—or Nora will be killed. The Traveler's accomplice, the Watcher, monitors Ethan through the surveillance system, thwarting his attempts to alert the authorities. Ethan secretly warns his colleague, Lionel, using a message written in invisible ink. However, before Lionel can act, the Traveler poisons him with aconitine, causing a fatal heart attack.
Due to Ethan's seemingly erratic behavior, his friend Jason takes over his position. The Traveler forces Ethan to get him fired by framing him for being drunk on the job. As instructed, Ethan lets Mateo Flores pass through with the carry-on case. The Traveler then reveals its contents: Novichok, a lethal and incurable nerve agent.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) detective Elena Cole investigates a double homicide and discovers the victims had smuggled Novichok into the country. Cole alerts the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and connects the threat to Ethan's aborted 911 call. In response, a terminal-wide sweep is ordered. Ethan adds Mateo to the list of passengers flagged for inspection. However, the Traveler suspects Ethan's interference and confronts him in the restroom. Ethan seizes the Traveler's plastic gun. In retaliation, the Traveler arms the Novichok bomb.
Mateo is detained for inspection by Sarkowski, but Ethan interrupts, holding them both at gunpoint. Ethan refuses to shoot Sarkowski, leading Mateo to fatally stab Sarkowski. Mateo reveals that he, too, is being coerced, as the Watcher is holding his husband, Jesse, hostage. With time running out, the Traveler guides Ethan to reset the bomb. Afterward, Mateo is ordered to kill Ethan, but the plastic gun overheats and explodes, killing Mateo. The Traveler retrieves the Novichok case and orders the Watcher to kill Nora. Ethan uses Mateo's phone to warn her. Nora narrowly evades the Watcher, who is ultimately killed by Jesse.
En route to the airport with DHS agent John Alcott, Cole soon realizes the agent is an imposter—one of the Traveler's accomplices—and kills him in self-defense. Upon arriving at the airport, Cole confronts Ethan, confirms the active threat, and alerts the LAPD, initiating a terminal shutdown. Cole uncovers that the Traveler's target is a congresswoman aboard a flight to Washington, D.C., who advocates for increased weapons funding. The Novichok attack is designed to implicate Russia, ensuring congressional approval of substantial defense spending, thereby enriching weapons manufacturers.
The Traveler boards the flight, unaware that Ethan has switched the bomb into an identical but larger suitcase, forcing him to stow it in the plane's cargo hold. Ethan infiltrates the hold to disarm the bomb, while Nora persuades Cole to allow the flight to take off, preventing the Traveler from becoming suspicious. As Ethan begins dismantling the bomb, the Traveler receives an alert and confronts him at gunpoint. Before the Traveler can re-arm the Novichok and escape using a parachute, Ethan locks him inside an airtight refrigeration unit with the nerve agent, killing him. The plane safely returns to the airport.
One year later, Ethan, Nora, and their child pass through a TSA checkpoint as they prepare to travel to Tahiti with Jason and his family. Ethan places his LAPD badge in the scanning tray.
Cast
- Taron Egerton as Ethan Kopek, a 30-year-old man who works as a TSA officer at the LA International Airport.
- Jason Bateman as Traveler, a ruthless mercenary who blackmails Ethan to deliver a dangerous package, known as the Novichok.
- Sofia Carson as Nora Parisi, a 27-year-old woman who works as manager of Northwind Terminal Operations. She's also Ethan's girlfriend who's pregnant with their child.
- Danielle Deadwyler as Elena Cole, an LAPD detective.
- Theo Rossi as Watcher, Traveler's partner who helps him spy on Ethan to make sure that the package goes through TSA.
- Logan Marshall-Green as Agent Alcott, a DHS agent but only to reveal that he's impersonating and one of Traveler's accomplices.
- Dean Norris as Phil Sarkowski, supervisor of LA International Airport's TSA.
- Sinqua Walls as Jason Noble, Ethan's friend who's also a TSA officer. He reveals to have a wife named Rochelle and twin sons.
- Curtiss Cook as Lionel Williams, Ethan's colleague who works as a police officer.
- Josh Brener as Herschel, Elena's partner who's in charge of voice recordings on crime scenes.
Production
In June 2021, Amblin Partners signed a deal with Netflix to produce multiple films per year for the streaming service. Carry-On was originally planned to be the first film to come from the deal, the initial draft of the screenplay was written by former Insomniac Games writer T. J. Fixman, with Michael Green writing another draft. Only Fixman was eventually credited with the screenplay while Green received an off-screen "Additional Literary Material" credit. Fixman intended the film to be an illustration of the trolley problem.
In July 2022, it was announced that Taron Egerton was attached to star in the lead role of Ethan Kopek. In August 2022, Jason Bateman joined the film co-starring alongside Egerton as the mysterious traveler. Sofia Carson and Danielle Deadwyler joined the cast in September 2022. Theo Rossi joined the cast in October 2022. Dean Norris, Logan Marshall-Green, and Sinqua Walls were among the eight new cast additions to join the film later that month.
On an estimated budget of $47 million, principal photography took place in New Orleans, Louisiana from September 2022 to January 2023.
The production had numerous technical and law enforcement advisers, but Fixman admits to taking artistic license with TSA procedures for the sake of the storyline.
Release
Carry-On was produced by DreamWorks Pictures, but was released under the Amblin Entertainment banner. Carry-On was released on Netflix on December 13, 2024.
Ten days after its release, the film had 97 million views, and was anticipated to become one of the top ten most-watched films on Netflix
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 88% of 84 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.8/10. The website's consensus reads: "Taron Egerton and an against-type Jason Bateman make for great adversaries in Carry-On, a throwback thriller that clears all checkpoints of plot logic with its confident execution." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 68 out of 100, based on 26 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews. Gergely Herpai "BadSector" gave the movie a FAIR (6.8/10) score to the movie on the website theGeek, stating that "nobody comes to Carry-On expecting realism or profound storytelling. This is a film designed to fill a quiet Christmas evening on Netflix, a time when leaving the house feels like too much effort. On that front, it delivers."
The TSA noted that the film contains inaccuracies but praised the filmmakers for portraying a TSA officer in a heroic light.
References
- Campione, Karen (December 17, 2024). "'Carry-On' Soars To Netflix's Biggest Film Debut Of The Year As 'Black Doves' Continues TV Reign". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
- Kroll, Justin (June 21, 2021). "Hell Freezes Over? Steven Spielberg's Amblin Partners In Deal To Make Movies For Netflix". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 19, 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (July 27, 2022). "Taron Egerton To Star In Thriller 'Carry On' For Jaume Collet-Serra, Amblin And Netflix". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 27, 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
- "Carry On". Writers Guild of America West. March 27, 2024. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
- ^ Chung, Christine (December 26, 2024). "The Writer of the Netflix Hit 'Carry-On' Talks About the 'Trolley Problem' and the T.S.A.". The New York Times. New York City. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
Which is not to say everything plays out according to the T.S.A. handbook. "We deviated when we needed to take creative license for the sake of the movie," Mr. Fixman said.
- Kroll, Justin (August 31, 2022). "Jason Bateman To Co-Star Opposite Taron Egerton In Amblin And Netflix Thriller 'Carry On' From Jaume Collet-Serra". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 17, 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
- Kroll, Justin (September 26, 2022). "'Purple Hearts' Star Sofia Carson And Netflix Find Next Project To Team On With Thriller 'Carry On', 'Till' Star Danielle Deadwyler Also On Board". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 28, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
- D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 4, 2022). "Theo Rossi Boards Jason Bateman & Taron Egerton Netflix Amblin Thriller 'Carry On'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 16, 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
- Cordero, Rosy (October 17, 2022). "'Carry-On': Dean Norris, Tonatiuh, Logan Marshall Green & Sinqua Walls Among 8 New Cast In Netflix Amblin Thriller". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 18, 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
- "Fastlane NextGen: Initial Certification Search" (Type "Carry On" in the search box). Louisiana Economic Development. Archived from the original on June 15, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- "Productions". New Orleans Film Commission. Archived from the original on January 14, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
- "Carry-On (2024) - About the Movie | Amblin". Amblin Partners. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
- D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 1, 2024). "Netflix 2024 Movie Slate Counts Titles From Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Jerry Seinfeld & Woody Woodpecker; 'Beverly Hills Cop 4' Sets Date". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
- Cohen, Anne; DeLillo, John (August 28, 2024). "Carry-On: Taron Egerton Will Take Off in New Gripping Action Thriller". Netflix. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- White, Peter (December 24, 2024). "'Carry-On' Closes In On Netflix All-Time Top 10 As 'Virgin River's Return Takes Top Weekly TV Spot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 25, 2024.
- "Carry-On". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
- "Carry-On". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
- theGeek: Carry-On – Could This Airport Thriller Become a Christmas Eve Classic?
External links
Films directed by Jaume Collet-Serra | |
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- 2024 films
- 2024 action thriller films
- 2020s American films
- American Christmas films
- 2020s English-language films
- American action thriller films
- American LGBTQ-related films
- DreamWorks Pictures films
- English-language action thriller films
- Films about bioterrorism
- Films directed by Jaume Collet-Serra
- Films scored by Lorne Balfe
- Films set in airports
- Films set in Los Angeles
- Films shot in New Orleans
- Netflix original films
- Transportation Security Administration