The car crash sequence in Carry-On serves as a pivotal moment that dramatically shifts the film’s tone. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, this action thriller premiered on Netflix in December 2024. Central to the story is Ethan, an airline security guard who finds himself coerced into allowing a suitcase filled with a dangerous weapon to pass through security without scrutiny. Meanwhile, LAPD detective Elena Cole becomes increasingly convinced that someone is attempting to transport Novichok—a lethal nerve agent—onto a flight.
Featuring a notable cast, including Taron Egerton, Jason Bateman, Sofia Carson, Danielle Deadwyler, Theo Rossi, and Logan Marshall-Green, the film weaves a complex narrative. Deadwyler plays the tenacious Elena Cole, while Marshall-Green portrays Agent Alcott from the Department of Homeland Security. Fueled by the suspicion of smuggling Novichok at Los Angeles International Airport, Elena and Agent Alcott embark on a tense drive. However, their journey takes a harrowing turn when they become involved in a shocking car crash that alters the film’s trajectory.
The Unexpected Car Scene in Carry-On
An Unexpected Conflict During the Crash
Initially, neither Elena’s captain nor Agent Alcott takes her concerns seriously. However, after gathering additional evidence, Agent Alcott agrees to assist her in reaching the airport. Curiously, while en route, Elena receives a call revealing that the man posing as Agent Alcott at the police station is an impostor. This twist leads to a gripping confrontation.
As Elena draws her weapon, demanding the true identity of her companion, the fraudulent Agent Alcott accelerates, resulting in a catastrophic collision with another vehicle on the highway. The ensuing struggle takes place amid the chaos of the crash, with the car ultimately flipping over. This unexpected turn of events mirrors the action-packed style of a Fast & Furious film, yet is executed with remarkable precision, setting the stage for the climax of Carry-On.
A Genre Shift Post-Car Crash
Genre Transformation Midway Through the Film
In the film’s initial half, Carry-On presents a grounded thriller, as Ethan grapples with the ramifications of the enigmatic suitcase. However, the latter half is rife with action sequences, propelled by the momentum of the car crash that marks a definitive genre shift from thriller to high-stakes action.
Once the crashing sequence unfolds, Ethan engages in a fierce confrontation with Mateo, the individual coerced to take the dangerous carry-on through security, within the airport’s baggage area. Additionally, Nora, Ethan’s girlfriend, finds herself being chased by a mysterious figure known only as the Watcher. The escalating action culminates in an epic showdown between Ethan and the Traveler, where Jason Bateman’s villainous character meets a grim fate, trapped in an airplane fridge with the lethal Novichok.
Filming the Car Crash Scene in Carry-On
The Challenges of Filming the Car Crash Sequence
During the dramatic car crash scene in Carry-On, the camera fluidly follows Elena and the imposter Agent Alcott as they grapple for control of a firearm while crashing into other cars, pylons, and navigating highway lanes. The scene culminates with the car flipping over, creating a tense cinematic experience. According to Danielle Deadwyler, the cast underwent rigorous preparation for this sequence, emphasizing the choreography involved.
Oh man, it’s two to three months of prep. We really worked rigorously with the stunt coordinating team. It’s a dance, it’s a ballet of sorts and so you’re just trying to make sure you’re hitting the spots, and then you drop in on the car and that makes it a little bit more claustrophobic, and you get the parameters and the boundaries of what it means to have this kind of a fight, and then you marry that to the precision of the camera and the other departments. It’s so much practicality. That was happening on set too, so we really just were in the gut feeling of being in the car and having this kind of experience. You just put all those layers together to make that scene and there you go.
Further insights on the complexity of filming the crash sequence were shared by stunt coordinator Dave Macomber, who noted that while he had previously choreographed fight scenes within stationary vehicles, conducting a continuous fight inside a moving car posed unique challenges. The meticulous planning and collaborative effort made this scene one of the standout moments in Carry-On.
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For additional images, refer to Screen Rant.
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