Movie review: ‘Carry-On’

Even though Christmas is over, there is one more “Christmas” movie you need to watch. Netflix’s newest flick Carry-On — which can only be classified as a holiday movie because it takes place on Christmas Eve — is an adrenaline-filled, action-packed film that is a must-see before the end of the winter break.  

Our main character Ethan (Taron Egerton) is a TSA agent at the Los Angeles airport (LAX). While working security on Christmas Eve, he’s handed a mysterious earbud. On the other end of the call is an unnamed traveler (Jason Bateman) who threatens to harm Ethan’s pregnant girlfriend Nora (Sofia Carson) if he doesn’t let a suitcase go through security undetected. 

The film started off slow, but effectively established the characters and their lives right away. From the start it’s clear that Ethan is a caring boyfriend, but feels stuck in his job. He’s gone four years without a promotion. The other kicker? The reason he works security at the airport is because he flunked out of the police academy. Therefore, it did feel a tad cliche when he got the call. It felt like a convenient chance for him to become the hero. Honestly, if it weren’t for my love for Egerton I would have found it a bit too formulaic.

As the movie progressed, the intensity and impending doom was only further heightened. There were multiple times where Ethan tried to outsmart the traveler, trying to save the hundreds of people on the flight that will die if the suitcase ends up on the aircraft. I was rooting for his plans to work every time. Yet, just when you think one of his ideas are going to work, the traveler puts a stop to it. 

At one point Ethan goes to Nora — since she also works in the airport — to get her out of there. However there’s one thing stopping him. The tiny red light pointed at her forehead. In this moment you further realize the intensity of the situation. Nothing will get in the traveler’s way of executing his plan. Not even a pregnant woman. 

Egerton’s performance as Ethan was so captivating. He skillfully exuded pure frustration and intense fear, often at the same time. Additionally, the same can be said about Carson’s portrayal of Nora. I haven’t been a huge fan of Carson’s acting in the few of her movies I’ve seen. However, in Carry-On she brought a liveliness to the film, displaying tangible emotion. Her portrayal of the desperation to understand her boyfriend’s behaviour, along with the fear once she understood, was extremely well-done. 

However, the best part of the movie? Seeing Bateman portray a villain, and a sinister one at that. We all know of Bateman’s more comical roles, however his performance in Carry-On really showcased his range as an actor. He was ruthless, adamant, and willing to do whatever it took to get that suitcase on the plane — including murdering anyone who stood in his way. It was refreshing to see him take on that role.

While the only cheerful thing about Carry-On was the fact that it took place on Christmas Eve, it’s a movie that’s perfect for the winter break. It’s a fast watch, and one that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. But it also might make you rethink wanting to go on an airplane anytime soon.