Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violence and language in tense airport thriller.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Carry-On
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 9 parent reviews
Based on 28 kid reviews
Kids say the movie is thrilling and engaging but also quite violent, making it potentially unsuitable for younger viewers despite some appreciation for its creative storytelling. Many reviewers noted that while it has intense scenes and mature themes, older children, especially those accustomed to action films, may handle the content well, especially if they are mature for their age.
- violence
- suitable for teens
- creative storytelling
- thrilling experience
- mature themes
- not for young kids
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Ethan Kopek (Taron Egerton) and his girlfriend, Nora (Sofia Carson), have just found out they're expecting a baby at the start of CARRY-ON. The news prompts Ethan to start getting more serious about his career, which has been languishing on cruise control working security at LAX airport. He talks his boss into giving him an opportunity to show he can do more, and he's bumped up to the front line on busy Christmas Eve. This also makes him a target for a stranger, the Traveler (Jason Bateman), who threatens to kill Nora if Ethan doesn't let a passenger in a red hat (Tonatiuh) pass through security without calling attention to whatever is in his bag. It turns out to be something very dangerous, but the closer Ethan gets to stopping the bad guys, the higher the stakes for everyone.
Is It Any Good?
Action-packed and suspenseful, this throwback to '90s-era action films like Die Hard and Speed is a definite audience pleaser. Carry-On boasts a cool cast (Egerton vs. Bateman), a slick vibe, and nail-biting tension. But be prepared as well to suspend disbelief on more than a few plot points and action sequences. The film is also a bit self-indulgent at two hours long, when 90–105 minutes would have been plenty. This is not director Jaume Collet-Serra's first airplane-oriented thriller (Non-Stop), and he's made an entertaining watch with Carry-On.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what they found credible and what was unbelievable in the action of Carry-On.
Did this film remind you of any others you've watched? Which, and how?
Does the violence in this film go beyond what's necessary for the storyline, in your opinion? Explain your answer.
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : December 13, 2024
- Cast : Taron Egerton , Jason Bateman , Sofia Carson
- Director : Jaume Collet-Serra
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Thriller
- Run time : 119 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong violence, bloody images, some language and suggestive references
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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