WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for Carry-On!
Netflix’s recent release, Carry-On, has quickly gained traction, generating considerable buzz since its premiere on December 13, 2024. This exhilarating flight-based thriller, led by Taron Egerton and Jason Bateman, features a TSA agent caught in a harrowing dilemma, as he finds himself blackmailed by a passenger to permit a bomb on a Christmas Eve flight. Speculations have emerged comparing this film to the classic Die Hard, both in terms of thrill and critical acclaim. Additionally, the film has drawn parallels to the 2005 flick Red Eye, which starred Rachel McAdams and Cillian Murphy, and has often been overlooked despite its gripping narrative.
Red Eye: A Compelling Aviation Thriller with Similar Themes to Carry-On
Red Eye’s Plot Also Centers on Blackmail and Assassination
As Carry-On climbed the popularity charts, many viewers began to notice its strong resemblance to Red Eye, a 2005 horror-thriller helmed by the renowned Wes Craven. In this earlier film, McAdams portrays Lisa Reisert, a traveler unwittingly seated next to Cillian Murphy’s character, Jackson Rippner, who invokes terror by revealing his ties to a terrorist organization. His demand for blackmail transforms her flight experience into a fight for survival, as he coerces her into participating in an assassination plot against a politician.
In both Carry-On and Red Eye, the protagonists—Egerton’s Ethan Kopek and McAdams’ Lisa—are confronted with demands from blackmailers, while Bateman’s mysterious “Traveler”mirrors Rippner’s sinister role. The stakes are ruthlessly high; while the Traveler threatens Ethan with harm to his girlfriend, Nora, Rippner menaces Lisa with her father’s life. Furthermore, both plots center on a high-profile political target, intensifying the thrill.
Impressive Reviews: Carry-On and Red Eye’s Critical Reception
Positive Appraisal from Critics for Both Thrillers
The positive reviews for Carry-On are a continuation of a successful trend for Netflix’s action offerings, following popular titles such as Extraction 2 and Rebel Ridge. Currently, Carry-On boasts an impressive 87% “Certified Fresh”rating on Rotten Tomatoes, showcasing its acclaim among critics. Conversely, the audience reception appears more mixed, holding a 53% rating on the platform’s “Popcornmeter.” Nonetheless, the critical endorsement and substantial viewership solidify Carry-On as a triumph for Netflix in 2024.
| Title | Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score | Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score | Box Office |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Eye (2005) | 80% | 64% | $96.3 million |
| Carry-On (2024) | 87% | 53% | N/A |
Interestingly, Carry-On outshines Red Eye in critical reception, as the latter holds an 80% score from critics alongside a 64% audience rating. The financial success of Red Eye cannot be ignored, as it grossed $96.3 million against a $26 million budget according to Box Office Mojo. Although comparing box office numbers to streaming stats presents challenges, both films have clearly resonated well with audiences and critics alike.
Cillian Murphy & Jason Bateman: Underrated Villains in Red Eye & Carry-On
Breaking Typecast: Murphy & Bateman’s Villainous Performances
Both Red Eye and Carry-On exhibit remarkable casting choices for their antagonists. Cillian Murphy, previously known for his role as Jim in 28 Days Later and Dr. Jonathan Crane in Batman Begins, effectively transitioned into the villainous archetype with his portrayal of Rippner in Red Eye. This film marked a pivotal moment in his career, showcasing his ability to embody complex, morally ambiguous characters.
Since Red Eye, Murphy has shifted towards more celebrated heroic roles, such as Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders and J. Robert Oppenheimer in Oppenheimer, further emphasizing his versatility as an actor. However, his turn as a villain in Red Eye remains a benchmark of his range and talent.
Conversely, Jason Bateman is often recognized for his comedic roles where he commonly portrays the “straight man”archetype. However, he has also explored darker characters in serious dramas like Ozark, where he plays a money launderer embroiled in a drug cartel’s underworld.
Before Carry-On, Bateman’s most substantial foray into villainy was in the 2015 thriller The Gift, where he portrayed a schoolmate harboring a menacing past. Carry-On and The Gift demonstrate Bateman’s remarkable ability to step outside of his conventional roles while leveraging his reputable charm to nuance his characters.
With the commendable success of Carry-On, there is hope that audiences will see Bateman continue to take on similar intriguing roles that explore the darker aspects of his character range in the future.
Sources: Rotten Tomatoes, Box Office Mojo
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