Taron Egerton Faces Deadly Blackmail in Carry-On – A High-Stakes Christmas Thriller Coming to Netflix

Taron Egerton's Next High-Stakes Role: Carry-On — A Christmas Thriller with a Deadly Twist

In his latest role, Taron Egerton takes on a thrilling and high-stakes situation in the Christmas-themed thriller Carry-On, arriving on Netflix on December 13. Known for his charming portrayal of secret service agent Gary "Eggsy" Unwin in Kingsman and his transformational performance as rock legend Elton John in Rocketman, Egerton steps into the shoes of a more relatable character in Carry-On. This time, he's a TSA agent thrust into a tense and dangerous Christmas Eve scenario that will test his morals, resolve, and survival instincts.

Taron Egerton Plays Ethan Kopek, a TSA Agent in Over His Head
In Carry-On, Egerton portrays Ethan Kopek, a young TSA agent whose holiday plans are thrown into disarray when a mysterious traveler, played by Jason Bateman, blackmails him into letting a dangerous package slip onto a flight. This is no ordinary TSA inspection. Ethan is faced with an impossible moral dilemma: let the package through or risk his loved ones’ safety. Bateman’s character is every bit the villain, using psychological manipulation to put Ethan through a nerve-wracking experience that takes place within the high-stakes, confined space of an airport.

Egerton's take on Ethan is rooted in a desire to create a more grounded and relatable character. As the actor explained in an interview with Netflix, he was drawn to the role because it allowed him to step away from the action-hero mold. "I didn’t want to play a typical action hero," Egerton said. "What excited me about Ethan was the opportunity to make him feel as real and ordinary as possible, given the extraordinary situation he finds himself in." It’s this authenticity that gives Carry-On its emotional depth, making Ethan’s struggle something that viewers can genuinely empathize with.

The Director Behind Carry-On: Jaume Collet-Serra Brings Thrills from Confined Spaces

Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, Carry-On follows in the footsteps of the filmmaker’s previous successes, like Non-Stop and The Commuter, both of which also took place in confined spaces (an airplane and a train, respectively). Collet-Serra has mastered the art of creating suspense in one-location thrillers, and in Carry-On, he once again draws on this approach to immerse the audience in an intense, high-pressure environment.

Collet-Serra explains that films set in tight spaces force filmmakers to get to know the characters quickly and intimately. "Contained environments allow us to get to the heart of the story right away. We’re in the thick of it with the characters, which creates a genuine investment in what’s happening on-screen," he told Tudum. The claustrophobic tension of an airport security checkpoint makes Carry-On an edge-of-your-seat thriller, with each decision Ethan makes heightening the stakes.

The director's challenge lies in keeping the setting fresh and engaging despite the limited space. "It’s a visual challenge to shoot every inch of a small area and keep it dynamic, finding new ways to reveal details of the world in each scene," Collet-Serra notes. That sense of confinement, paired with Egerton and Bateman’s performances, ensures that the suspense remains palpable throughout the film.

Jason Bateman as the Sinister Villain

While Egerton’s Ethan is the movie’s moral anchor, it’s Jason Bateman who brings the sinister edge to Carry-On. Bateman plays a mysterious traveler whose calm and collected demeanor masks a truly dangerous nature. His character blackmails Ethan into letting a deadly package through security, threatening Ethan's pregnant girlfriend (played by Sofia Carson) if he doesn’t comply.

Bateman, who is widely known for his roles in Ozark and Arrested Development, taps into his ability to play morally ambiguous characters, infusing his role with chilling menace and intelligence. His interactions with Egerton create an intense cat-and-mouse dynamic that keeps the tension high. As Collet-Serra explains, "We wanted this movie to feel incredibly realistic, like something that could happen to any of us at any airport. Jason and Taron’s performances grounded the film and helped make it feel real."

The psychological complexity of Bateman’s character adds a layer of depth to the movie, making it more than just a simple thriller. The high stakes are personal for Ethan, as Bateman’s character manipulates the situation to force him into increasingly difficult decisions that push Ethan to his breaking point.

Carry-On: A Christmas Thriller with Real-World Tension

Though set during the holiday season, Carry-On isn’t just another Christmas movie. Much like Die Hard, the Christmas backdrop serves to heighten the tension, adding an unexpected layer of chaos to an already intense situation. The airport setting, filled with Christmas decorations and holiday music, amplifies the contrast between the festive atmosphere and the life-or-death decisions Ethan must make.

For Collet-Serra, the holiday travel theme is integral to the story. "We had fun with the Christmas elements in terms of decorations and classic holiday tunes, but the high stakes are always front and center," he said. The juxtaposition of family holiday chaos with criminal threats turns Carry-On into a thrilling ride that’s perfect for both Christmas-time viewing and any time of year when you’re in the mood for suspense.

Real TSA Experts Bring Accuracy to the Film

One of the film's standout aspects is its realistic portrayal of the TSA and airport procedures. To ensure accuracy, Carry-On enlisted the help of two LAX TSA advisors, who provided invaluable information on airport operations and the intricacies of TSA protocols. The advisors trained the cast and worked closely with the production to make sure that the airport scenes were as authentic as possible.

According to Collet-Serra, the advisors even verified the most outlandish moments in the film, including the "contraband bingo" game where TSA agents compete to spot certain items in luggage. "They confirmed that they’ve seen these items before," Collet-Serra laughed, highlighting the attention to detail the production achieved.

One of the key advisors was Dr. Erroll G. Southers, a former chief of Homeland Security and Intelligence for the Los Angeles World Airports Police Department. Southers, who has years of experience in airport security, ensured that the film’s portrayal of TSA vocabulary, procedures, and the relationship between airport, local, and federal authorities was accurate. "We wanted to make sure that what the actors were saying felt realistic and authentic," Southers explained.

Carry-On Cast and Crew: A Star-Studded Ensemble

In addition to Taron Egerton and Jason Bateman, Carry-On features a talented ensemble cast, including:

• Sofia Carson (Purple Hearts, The Life List) as Ethan's pregnant girlfriend
• Danielle Deadwyler (The Harder They Fall) as a key character in the story
• Sinqua Walls (Friday Night Lights, White Men Can’t Jump) in a supporting role
• Logan Marshall-Green (Upgrade, Lou) as another crucial player
• Theo Rossi (Emily the Criminal, The Penguin) as a secondary character
• Dean Norris (Breaking Bad, Unfrosted) as an important figure in Ethan’s journey
• Josh Brener (Silicon Valley, Old Dads) and Curtiss Cook (West Side Story, The Devil You Know) in additional roles
• Gil Perez-Abraham (The Batman, Killer Among Us) and Joe Williamson (Ford v Ferrari, Lucy in the Sky) round out the cast

Each actor adds their unique flavor to the film, helping to enrich the story’s emotional stakes and heighten the tension.

When Will Carry-On Be Available on Netflix?

Carry-On will arrive on Netflix on December 13, just in time for holiday viewing. Whether you’re a fan of Christmas thrillers or just love a good suspense-filled drama, this high-octane film promises to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Is Carry-On a Christmas Movie?

Yes, in a way, Carry-On is a Christmas movie, but it’s not your typical holiday fare. Much like Die Hard, it uses the festive season as a backdrop, but the stakes are anything but festive. Collet-Serra hopes that viewers will be able to enjoy Carry-On year-round, calling it "a fun, popcorn thriller," while acknowledging the Christmas elements. The holiday travel theme plays a crucial part in the story, with Christmas decorations and music helping set the scene for a tense, action-packed ride.