Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5/5 Stars)
Released 12-13-2024
Watched 12-27-2024
Reviewed 01-07-2024
Watched on Netflix
"Airports turn people into such dickheads."
In a year packed with notable releases, Carry On has soared above the fray, delivering an action-thriller that grabs you from the opening frame and refuses to let go. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, best known for his expertise in high-stakes storytelling, the film takes full advantage of its Netflix debut, shattering viewership records for the platform in its opening week.
The plot centers on Ethan Kopek (Taron Egerton), a TSA agent thrust into an impossible situation when a mysterious stranger (Jason Bateman) coerces him into letting a dangerous package slip through airport security on Christmas Day. The stakes climb with relentless precision as Egerton’s Kopek battles both external threats and his internal moral dilemma.
Egerton’s performance anchors the film, skillfully navigating Kopek’s transformation from an everyday worker into an unlikely hero. His ability to convey vulnerability and resolve adds a layer of humanity to the adrenaline-fueled narrative. Jason Bateman, stepping away from his more comedic roots, delivers a chilling turn as the enigmatic antagonist, blending charm and menace with ease.
The supporting cast, including Sofia Carson as a determined fellow TSA agent and Danielle Deadwyler as a key FBI operative, rounds out the ensemble with strong performances that keep the film grounded even as its plot pushes into high-octane territory.
Collet-Serra’s direction ensures the tension never flags, with tight pacing and expertly choreographed action sequences. The airport setting is used to great effect, its labyrinthine layout amplifying the sense of confinement and urgency. Cinematographer Flavio Martínez Labiano enhances the suspense with sharp, claustrophobic visuals that bring the environment to life.
However, the film has not been without controversy. Some viewers have critiqued its depiction of the TSA and the liberties it takes with airport security procedures. While these concerns are valid to an extent, it’s important to remember that Carry On is an action-thriller, not a documentary. Creative license is par for the course in a genre that prioritizes entertainment over strict realism.
Ultimately, the decision to release Carry On directly to Netflix feels like a missed opportunity for the big screen. With its gripping narrative, standout performances, and blockbuster-level production values, it could have held its own at the box office. Yet, its streaming debut has allowed it to reach an unprecedented audience, proving once again that high-quality cinema is no longer confined to theaters.
Carry On is worth not just one watch, but possibly two. It’s a masterclass in modern suspense filmmaking, delivering a gripping experience that lingers long after the credits roll. For action-thriller fans and casual viewers alike, this is one layover you won’t want to miss.
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