The film stars Taron Egerton as Ethan Koplek, a down-on-his-luck TSA agent whose dream of becoming a police officer has stalled.
Stuck at a dead-end job, Ethan’s big break seems like a distant fantasy, especially with a baby on the way.
On Christmas Eve — the busiest travel day of the year — he finds himself pulling a late shift at the airport alongside his pregnant girlfriend, Nora (Sofia Carson).
Ethan, eager to prove his worth to Nora and perhaps to himself, convinces his boss (played by Dean Norris) to let him operate the backscanner machine for checked baggage — a task he’s wildly under-qualified for.
Norris, bringing his usual gruff charm and an inexplicable voice performance (seriously, what is going on there?), reluctantly agrees. Naturally, chaos follows.
The trouble begins when Ethan encounters a mysterious traveller, portrayed by Jason Bateman, who exudes his signature mix of brooding menace and quiet intensity.
Bateman’s character makes a chilling threat: let a suspicious carry-on bag pass through security undetected or Nora will die.
Desperation kicks in, and Ethan finds himself caught in an escalating cat-and-mouse game. What’s in the bag? Why is Ethan being targeted? And how much of this nightmarish scenario can one man endure?
As the movie progresses, the answers slowly come to light but not without taking viewers on a suspense-filled ride.
The premise is promising — a tense thriller set in the high-stress world of airport security on Christmas Eve — but “Carry-On” struggles to fully deliver on its potential.
T.J. Fixman’s screenplay thrives when it focuses on the tension between Egerton and Bateman, giving both actors moments to shine.
Egerton brings just the right balance of earnestness and desperation to Ethan, making him a protagonist we want to root for, even as he stumbles.
Meanwhile, Bateman plays the role of antagonist with a cool, calculated menace that elevates every scene he’s in. Their dynamic is electric at times, evoking the psychological tension of early 2000s thrillers like “Phone Booth”.
Unfortunately, the film stumbles when it veers into less compelling subplots. The introduction of Danielle Deadwyler as an FBI agent adds unnecessary complexity to an otherwise straightforward story.
While Deadwyler delivers a solid performance, the government conspiracy angle feels tacked on, detracting from the more engaging one-on-one tension between Ethan and Bateman’s characters.
The script starts to lose focus here, slowing the momentum and diluting the stakes.
Despite its narrative flaws, “Carry-On” still manages to deliver some standout moments, particularly in its action sequences.
Visually, the film leans into its sleek, high-stakes aesthetic, with shadowy airport corridors and blinking security screens creating a sense of unease throughout.
Director Jaume Collet-Serra, known for “Non-Stop” and “The Shallows”, knows his way around a suspenseful set piece, and his fingerprints are all over the film’s more successful moments.
The biggest issue with “Carry-On” is its reliance on implausible plot points, which range from mildly silly to downright laughable.
How does Bateman’s character sneak a loaded gun into the airport in this post-9/11 world? Why does no one else notice what’s happening, despite the airport being packed? And let’s not even get started on the introduction of a deadly nerve agent.
But here’s the thing — sometimes a film’s silliness works in its favour.
“Carry-On” knows exactly what it is: a pulpy, disposable thriller designed for popcorn entertainment. It doesn’t ask you to overthink and it doesn’t pretend to be anything it’s not.
Ultimately, “Carry-On” is the kind of movie you throw on when you want a fun, low-stakes thrill ride. It’s perfect for a rowdy watch party with friends — the kind of film where you can yell at the screen, laugh at its implausibilities and enjoy the ride anyway.
Egerton and Bateman’s performances are strong enough to keep things afloat, even when the story veers off course.
It won’t leave a lasting impression, but for a quick, adrenaline-fuelled escape, “Carry-On” gets the job done. Sometimes, dumb fun is exactly what you need.
∎ “Carry-On” is streaming on Netflix.