Carry On: A Holiday Thriller That’s Anything but Jolly

By Naomi Fraser 

Christmas Eve at LAX and chaos go hand in hand. Long lines, delayed flights, and anxious travelers collide to create a hectic holiday rush. But for TSA agent Ethan Kopek (Taron Egerton), Christmas Eve is just another day on the job. That is until he encounters a mysterious traveler (Jason Bateman) who presents him with a terrifying ultimatum: allow a dangerous bag through security or watch his girlfriend Nora (Sofia Carson) die. Now trapped in a scheme that could destroy hundreds of lives, Ethan must race against the clock (and a team of highly trained criminals) to keep the carry-on bag from going up in the air. Thrilling, fast-paced, and intense, Carry On is a Netflix must-watch that captivates from beginning to end.

While many factors play into Carry On’s overarching intrigue, its use of power reversals between Ethan and the Traveler ranks as number one. When the Traveler begins his blackmailing campaign, he holds all the power: if Ethan disobeys, his girlfriend dies. 

But as our hero gains confidence and discovers creative ways to undermine his opponent, a battle for control breaks out. When one side has the upper hand, the other launches a surprise attack that throws everything out of balance. This oscillation between gaining and losing the advantage keeps audiences engaged and on edge—we can never fully celebrate Ethan’s wins knowing that the Traveler’s next move is right around the corner. 

The anxiety the power reversals induce strengthens when met with the film’s unpredictable nature. Carry On’s writers take special care to eliminate every obvious solution to Ethan’s dilemma early on. Whenever you think “What if Ethan just did A, B, or C?” the Traveler unveils an obstacle that renders the idea useless. 

The filmmakers force us to reckon with the helplessness of the situation—there is no easy way out for Ethan. As a result, how the remainder of the film plays out is completely up in the air. The audience cannot predict what’s going to happen from moment to moment, allowing every twist and turn to feel surprising and fun. 

Carry On also employs dramatic irony to enhance the story. While the audience is privy to the nightmare Ethan endures, everyone around him remains unaware. As the Traveler keeps Ethan silent through blackmail, misunderstandings arise and drive wedges between Ethan and the people he cares about, instilling viewers with a desire to jump through the screen and show his family and friends the truth. The frustration the dramatic irony fosters enhances the audience’s engagement with the film. The more Ethan unwillingly ruins his relationships, the more invested we become in his fight to restore balance. 

While the plot is fast-paced and exciting, it represents only a fraction of what Carry On is really about. The film’s interplay between its inner and outer stories allows it to transcend the basic plot and effectively convey its theme. The external story covers the central premise: a TSA agent is blackmailed into allowing a carry-on bag through security. 

The internal story delves deeper, giving us insight into Ethan’s emotional struggles. We learn early on that Ethan hates his job but stays because he sees no other option. Having once fallen short of achieving his dream, he now believes there’s no point in trying again. Staying put may leave him unfulfilled, but at least it keeps him safe from the pain of failure. 

Carry On’s external story challenges this mindset, acting as a metaphor for Ethan’s internal journey. Ethan must choose between playing it safe and enabling the Traveler’s plans or taking a risk and fighting back. This connection between his inner and outer struggles adds depth to the plot. Every step Ethan takes toward defeating the Traveler is one step toward overcoming the part of himself that holds him back from fighting for the life he wants. 

Exciting, heartfelt, and even a bit funny here and there, Carry On deserves a spot on your movies-to-watch list. If you are a fan of thrillers, this film will not disappoint. It’s a story that will stay with you long after the credits roll.