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Action thriller

Carry-On (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Carry-On (2024) movie poster

Carry-On is a 2024 action thriller directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, starring Taron Egerton as Ethan Kopek, Sofia Carson and Dean Norris. It runs 1 hour 59 minutes and earned $3.4 million worldwide on a $47 million budget. Critics gave it 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10.

IMDb rating
6.5/10
worldwide gross
$3.4M
Echo Score
75
Metascore
69
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Carry-On (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 59m (119 min)
Genres
Action , Crime , Mystery , Thriller
Original language
English
Budget
$47M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Carry-On About?

The premise of Carry-On without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A young TSA agent (Taron Egerton) fights to outsmart a mysterious traveler who blackmails him into letting a dangerous package slip onto a Christmas Eve flight.

Carry-On Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • tsa agent
  • gay
  • gay character
  • security
  • airport
  • terrorist
  • novichok
  • flight
  • package
  • gun
  • fight
  • holiday season
+38 more
  • suitcase
  • bombing
  • defusing a bomb
  • plastic gun
  • disarming a bomb
  • male protagonist
  • extortion
  • nerve gas
  • fight inside a moving car
  • gas bomb
  • airport security
  • hostage
  • los angeles international airport
  • los angeles california
  • dead police officer
  • gay hero
  • gay couple
  • agent
  • christmas
  • pregnancy
  • hostile
  • police officer
  • investigation
  • pregnant girlfriend
  • earbud
  • chips
  • ticket
  • blacklight
  • coffee
  • middle finger
  • red ribbon
  • red cap
  • gas
  • gum
  • fbi agent
  • boss
  • jewish
  • cell phone
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Cast & crew

Carry-On Cast & Characters

Taron Egerton leads the cast as Ethan Kopek, with Sofia Carson as Nora Parisi and Dean Norris as Phil Sarkowski. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra; 16 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Carry-On

· 12 more
From the director

More from Jaume Collet-Serra

More films directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, best-rated first: Non-Stop, Run All Night, The Woman in the Yard and Unknown.

Full filmography
Ratings

Carry-On Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Carry-On 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (65).

75 /100

Carry-On Echo Score Breakdown

In its execution, Carry-On offers a solid action thriller experience anchored by its straightforward conceit and measured pacing. Reviews highlight its commitment to real-world mechanics and a no-fuss approach that foregrounds human capacity over spectacle. While some critics note predictable foreshadowing and occasional uneven plotting, the film’s engaging twists and consistent momentum sustain interest. The balance of reliable tension and modest holiday charm positions Carry-On as a dependable genre entry.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of visual craftsmanship, Carry-On presents a consistently grounded aesthetic rooted in realistic settings and practical design. The direction favors clarity over ornamentation, and the editing maintains rhythm without dramatic flourishes. Notably, the production design emphasizes authentic airport spaces rather than stylized set pieces. Overall, the art direction delivers a sturdy, if restrained, cinematic framework.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to performances, Carry-On benefits from committed work by its leads that anchor the narrative. The principal actors bring urgency and a relatable presence, and some moments of moral ambiguity add texture to their portrayals. However, character arcs remain fairly straightforward, with limited development beyond the central hero-villain dynamic. Ultimately, the film’s emotional impact rests on solid but conventional character work.

  • Story & Flow 65

    The narrative structure exhibits a mix of predictable foreshadowing and well-timed revelations that sustain momentum. Early scenes unfold at a deliberate pace before accelerating to a climactic series of twists, though some plot developments strain plausibility. While the blend of suspense and holiday context maintains engagement, the overall storyline feels formulaic and occasionally overextended.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    In terms of sensory experience, Carry-On adheres to a straightforward audio-visual approach without bold stylistic choices. The sound design supports tension in key moments, and the score remains functional rather than distinctive. Visually, the film favors clear, unembellished frames over elaborate set pieces. Overall, the sensory elements are effective but never draw attention from the narrative.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    The film’s replay appeal is modest, driven primarily by its brisk set pieces and occasional unpredictability. Subsequent viewings may highlight the clear construction of twists, but the largely formulaic plotting and minimal thematic depth reduce lasting intrigue. While the dynamic pacing can still entertain, there is little in the way of new discoveries on repeat watches.

Plot

Carry-On Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Carry-On from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Ethan Kopek, portrayed by Taron Egerton, serves as a TSA officer at the busy Los Angeles International Airport, but his aspirations reach far beyond the airport’s security lines; he dreams of becoming a policeman. His supportive pregnant girlfriend, Sofia Carson, who works as the operations director of Northwind Airlines, encourages him to pursue his ambitions. With determination, Ethan approaches his boss, Dean Norris, requesting a promotion. To assess his capabilities, he is assigned to operate the X-ray machine as part of a trial phase. However, things take a dark turn when he encounters an apparently lost earbud, which connects him to a menacing figure known as The Traveler.

Full summary

The whole story of Carry-On, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Carry-On Box Office & Budget

Carry-On grossed $3.4 million worldwide on a $47 million budget, 7% of what it cost.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$3.4M

7% of its budget back

International
$3.4M
Budget
$47M
Videos

Carry-On Trailers & Videos

8 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser, 4 clips and 2 featurettes.

All 8 videos
Official Trailer
  • Teaser Official Teaser
  • Clip Sneak Peek
  • Clip the stakes have been set
  • Clip Sneak Peek #2
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Carry-On?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Ethan Kopek's job at the airport?

Cars

Cars in Carry-On

66 cars on screen, including the 2015 Dodge Charger Pursuit and the 2015 Ford Transit.

All 66 cars
  • 2015 Dodge Charger Pursuit in Carry-On 2015 Dodge Charger Pursuit Important role
  • 2015 Ford Transit in Carry-On 2015 Ford Transit Important role
  • New Flyer D 40 LF in Carry-On New Flyer D 40 LF Important role
  • TUG 660 in Carry-On TUG 660 Important role
Details

Carry-On Also Known As

26 alternative titles, including “בידוק” and “چمدان”.

Also known as
  • בידוק
  • چمدان
  • 隨身危機
  • Bagagem de Risco
  • 캐리온
  • Bagagem de Mão
  • สัมภาระอันตราย
  • Equipaje de mano
  • Kontrola bezpieczeństwa
  • 随身危机
  • Príručná batožina
  • セキュリティ・チェック
+14 more
  • Ручная кладь
  • Příručák
  • Kabin Bagajı
  • Ručna prtljaga
  • בידוּק
  • Ручна поклажа
  • Kézipoggyász
  • Η Χειραποσκευή
  • حقيبة سفر
  • Le Bagage
  • कैरी-ऑन
  • Hành lý xách tay, ხელბარგი
  • Ръчен багаж
  • Rankinis bagažas

Seen Carry-On?

FAQ

Carry-On FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Carry-On, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Carry-On?

Carry-On runs 1 hour 59 minutes (119 minutes).

When was Carry-On released?

Carry-On was released on December 13, 2024.

Who directed Carry-On?

Carry-On was directed by Jaume Collet-Serra.

More films by Jaume Collet-Serra

Who is in the cast of Carry-On?

Carry-On stars Taron Egerton as Ethan Kopek, Sofia Carson as Nora Parisi and Dean Norris as Phil Sarkowski, among 16 credited actors.

How much did Carry-On make at the box office?

Carry-On grossed $3.4 million worldwide on a budget of $47 million.

How is Carry-On rated?

Carry-On has 6.5/10 on IMDb and 69 on Metacritic.

Does Carry-On have a post-credit scene?

No. Carry-On has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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