This Netflix Holiday Season Features Action Thrillers: First Black Doves & Now Carry-On

While the holiday season often brings to mind heartwarming Christmas films, Netflix is shaking things up this year with a trend towards action thrillers. Titles such as Black Doves and Carry-On have surged in popularity, capturing audience attention this December. Featuring notable actors like Keira Knightley and Taron Egerton, these projects not only entertain but also prompt us to ponder audience preferences for holiday-viewing. Are they indeed gravitating towards darker narratives during this festive period?

Currently, Netflix’s top 10 list showcases an eclectic mix of festive movies alongside thrilling new releases. For instance, Carry-On occupies the top spot, flanked by titles like That Christmas, Barbie, Subservience, and Disaster Holiday. The selection on the television side leans even darker, featuring shows such as the disaster drama La Palma and the dark comedy No Good Deed, in addition to Black Doves. This unexpected assortment suggests that the holiday season can just as well embrace themes of tension and intrigue as it does joy and cheer.

Black Doves & Carry-On: Action-Thrillers Set Against a Christmas Backdrop

Overview of Black Doves & Carry-On

Mix of images from Black Doves and Carry-On

Both Black Doves and Carry-On distinguish themselves from traditional holiday entertainment through their gripping action-thriller narratives. Black Doves, a British espionage series, features Keira Knightley as Helen Webb, an operative entangled in a web of danger when her undercover identity is compromised following the assassination of her politician husband by members of the London Underground. Forced to evade threats, she relies on an old ally for protection.

Conversely, Carry-On portrays Taron Egerton as TSA agent Ethan Kopek, who finds himself ensnared in a tense situation on Christmas Eve. A dangerous traveler, played by Jason Bateman, blackmails Ethan into allowing him on a flight with a perilous package set to threaten the lives of those aboard. Both narratives unfold during the festive time of year yet focus on peril rather than holiday cheer.

Does Christmas Influence the Narratives of Black Doves and Carry-On?

The Christmas Ambiance in Storytelling

Helen (Keira Knightley) and Wallace Webb (Andrew Buchan) smiling

The role of Christmas in both Black Doves and Carry-On varies significantly. In Black Doves, the holiday season does not play a prominent role; it’s rarely referenced, and the timeline’s inconsistencies render the festive backdrop largely irrelevant. In contrast, Carry-On‘s narrative benefits from the holiday context. The rush of Christmas travel intensifies Ethan’s urgent dilemma, as he navigates threats while trying to maintain the holiday spirit around him.

While Christmas may not be crucial to the plots of these actions-packed stories, it does contribute to the overall mood. Black Doves encapsulates a somber, chilly atmosphere that mirrors Helen’s precarious position, while the holiday elements in Carry-On enhance its relatability, placing the stakes closer to home.

How Do Black Doves and Carry-On Compare to Iconic ‘Not-Quite-Christmas’ Movies?

Subverting Christmas Expectations

In many ways, Black Doves and Carry-On can be likened to well-known holiday films that challenge traditional expectations—most notably, Die Hard. Although these narratives lack the warm fuzzies typical of festive films, their Christmas setting classifies them as part of the holiday genre. In particular, Carry-On shares a high-octane, suspenseful atmosphere reminiscent of Die Hard, making it an apt modern counterpart.

These ‘Christmas-but-not-really’ narratives are appealing because they defy conventional holiday stereotypes. While many viewers appreciate wholesome, feel-good films during the festive season, some might crave a departure from predictability. Black Doves and Carry-On offer such an experience, allowing audiences to engage with compelling storylines that extend beyond typical holiday themes.

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