It was only recently, on my 17th revolution around the sun, that I finally left the state of Michigan on an excursion I’ll actually remember.
Apparently, I’ve been to Canada, but the only way I’m able to relive that experience is through the memories of my parents. I was too little to remember; however, the Disney World trip a bit later in my life holds more meaning, but only when I see the pictures right in front of me. Just vague snapshots of Epcot and the Animal Kingdom become clear, but I think I’ve figured out why those are the only faint, blurry souvenirs I’ve kept from the state of Florida.
My intense trepidation of the plane ride there felt as though it shook my brain from its skull just long enough to recollect the most fleeting moments. I don’t recall any of the plane ride there, thankfully, and I think my fear of flying has only ascended since.
In some ways, I’m relieved that I haven’t had the opportunity to test where that phobia stands, but that also means that my wanderlust-struck soul endures hours of cramped legs in the backseat of a car anytime I get the itch to travel.
My feet will stand firmly planted on the ground, thank you very much. However, any sort of aircraft fascinates me in a terrifying way. I’ll spend my free time enjoying the view from the airport viewing area. I have no desire to see the same land from 30,000 feet above the ground.
Recently, I watched an older film depicting the legal trouble pilots face following fatal plane crashes—which did absolutely nothing to restrain my fear. And, no matter how safe I feel stuck to Earth, Netflix’s new special feature, Carry-On, proved that you don’t even have to be suspended in a metal tube to be in danger.
This film follows the events of a TSA agent, Ethan Kopek’s (Taron Egerton) shift on Christmas Eve. After donning a lost earpiece through bag check, he’s blackmailed into following the orders of a stranger (Jason Bateman) to knowingly pass a suitcase stocked with explosives onto a flight. With the airport and its cameras infiltrated by this group of terrorists, Ethan has no choice but to comply with this unknown traveler’s orders, especially when his newly pregnant girlfriend, Nora (Sofia Carson), is threatened.
From the beginning, this film cemented the notion that I simply couldn’t resist any fantastical work surrounding a game of cat and mouse. It’s captivating to watch the duel of right versus wrong in a battle of wits, and it’s especially thought-provoking when it’s evident that the supposed “villain” of the story has principles and thinks they’re being righteous, however twisted they may be.
The ample cast in this production only elevates the intellectual showdown that composes the basic plotline of the film. It’s already known that Egerton has set his Hollywood label in stone from his various former award-winning roles, so it was no surprise that he excelled in Ethan’s shoes as well. But, I will admit how curious it was to see Bateman as such a serious character. Having been a big fan of him forever, I’m aware that he’s placed a comedic target on his back through no fault of his own; that just seems to be the genre he’s comfortable in. So, it was really compelling to see him be equally as engaging in a different role than what the rest of his filmography entails.
Still, the ensemble didn’t initially draw me to the film. I had known long before watching it for the first time that it had already broken some Netflix records, including having over 40 million views in the first week of its release, which made it the most-watched movie on the platform in all of 2024. However, what piqued my interest was far simpler: the movie’s unique perspective from the eyes of a TSA agent gave me a glance at a lifestyle that most people don’t give a second thought to.
Despite being incredibly thrilling, Carry-On was more than just a film that allowed the actors to display their range and shine in a more serious role. It gave me insight into the fact that many jobs nationwide often go overlooked while also confirming my fear of any man-made flying object.
