Carry-On (Film)

Released in 2024, Carry On is a Netflix original film in the action and thriller genres. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, the film centers on a high-stakes counter-terrorism story set at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The movie draws particular attention for its narrative confined to a single location and its character-driven storytelling.

Carry On follows Ethan Kopek (Taron Egerton), a young TSA agent who, on Christmas Eve, confronts a terrorist plot while on duty at Los Angeles International Airport. Beginning his shift as an ordinary security officer, Ethan is threatened by a passenger who reveals a bomb planted on an aircraft, forcing him to act under extreme time pressure. However, the passenger’s blackmail and Ethan’s personal struggles push him to the brink of a morally and ethically difficult decision. The film focuses on themes such as security, ethics and individual responsibility.

• Taron Egerton – Ethan Kopek: Ethan is a young and idealistic TSA agent. At the start of the film, he is a routine security officer until he is confronted with a terrorist plot.
• Jason Bateman – The Mysterious Passenger: This character threatens Ethan with blackmail, revealing the presence of the bomb and compelling him to violate security protocols.
• Sofia Carson – Nora Parisi: Nora is Ethan’s colleague and a source of moral support. She attempts to help him cope with the mounting pressures.
• Theo Rossi, Logan Marshall-Green, Sinqua Walls, Dean Norris – These actors portray various supporting characters, each influencing Ethan’s crisis from different perspectives.

Director Jaume Collet-Serra designed Carry On to unfold almost entirely within Los Angeles International Airport. The story takes place largely within a confined space and a single location. To prevent visual monotony, the director employed dynamic camera angles and innovative cinematographic techniques. To create a sense of “being there,” rapid camera movements are used during scene transitions and intense action sequences. Consistent with the director’s preference, the camera frequently focuses on the characters’ facial expressions, aiming to convey their emotional burdens to the audience.

Carry On explores themes such as security, ethical responsibility and personal moral dilemmas. Ethan’s efforts to stop the terrorist attack also challenge his internal ethical values. In particular, the passenger’s blackmail creates a conflict between Ethan’s personal and professional obligations. The moral questions raised in the film resemble philosophical debates such as the “trolley problem,” prompting viewers to reflect on their own judgments.

Critics have praised Taron Egerton’s performance and the film’s tense atmosphere. However, some reviewers noted that character development was not sufficiently deep and that certain action clichés detracted from the film’s impact. Nevertheless, the film has been generally well received by audiences who enjoy action-oriented cinema.

Since its release on Netflix, Carry On has reached a large audience. Within its first week, it ranked among the platform’s most-watched films. Its commercial success has been supported by viewers who appreciate both action and thriller elements. The film has also received nominations for several cinema awards and has been screened at specific film festivals.