The character of Ethan Kopek, a relatable TSA agent, finds himself deeply mired in a suspense-filled plot on Christmas Eve in the Netflix film, 'Carry-On'. Craving more responsibility at work, he asks his boss to give him more duties. Unluckily for him, his first assignment involves foiling a smuggling plot involving the deadly Novichok nerve agent. The film, while not groundbreaking, presents a familiar scenario that leaves viewers questioning their action in a similar predicament.
The mastermind behind the smuggling plot is a ruthless killer, played by Jason Bateman, who manipulates Ethan into unknowingly contributing to his deadly plan. Motivated by the safety of his pregnant girlfriend, Ethan finds himself at odds with both sides, thereby creating a tense mix of blackmail, heroism, and danger. Scripted by T.J. Fixman and directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, known for thrillers like 'Unknown' and 'Non-Stop', the pair develops a suitable tension-filled atmosphere for the plot's unfoldment.
Ethan, played by Taron Egerton, known for his role in 'Kingsman', provides an appealing action-star performance as he races against time to thwart the smuggling attempt. The film dashes from one action-filled scene to another, with the director ensuring audiences stay on their toes with creative solutions and spectacular set pieces. The combination of gripping characters, tense sequences, and opportunities for audacious viewer participation renders this appealing for family viewing.
Despite its few plot pitfalls, Netflix's 'Carry-On' proves to be a thrilling watch as it presents an everyday agent caught in a high-stakes situation. The involvement of Jason Bateman as the antagonist adds unexpected charisma to the mix while challenging traditional casting choices. The film keeps its viewers gripped, prompting them to entertain its absurdities while commiserating with the intense duty-filled life of TSA agents.
