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Carry-On is a 2024 Netflix action thriller directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and starring Taron Egerton. The film explores the high-stakes drama surrounding a TSA officer caught in a dangerous plot during the holiday rush at an airport. The authenticity of the setting plays a pivotal role in the film’s immersive experience, leaving viewers curious about the movie's filming location.
Interestingly, while the plot is centered around Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the production took place in New Orleans. A decommissioned terminal at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport served as the primary filming location. This location provided a realistic and controlled environment for the filmmakers to recreate the bustling dynamics of an operational airport.
Exploring in detail all the filming locations of Carry-On
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Rather than shooting at the actual LAX, the production team opted for a decommissioned terminal at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. This choice allowed for an uninterrupted filming process while maintaining the visual authenticity of an airport.
Production designer Diane Lederman, known for her work on CODA and Russian Doll, spearheaded the transformation of the terminal into a space that mirrored the polished aesthetics of LAX.
Lederman and her team collaborated with local businesses, including recognizable names like Lemonade and Pinkberry, to recreate Los Angeles' ambiance within the New Orleans airport. They even constructed realistic replicas of TSA baggage scanners to achieve the necessary visual detail, as procuring real scanners proved too costly and time-consuming.
To enhance the authenticity, the production team brought in experienced consultants, including Tony Boiselle from the Los Angeles Airport Police and former FBI Special Agent Erroll Southers. These experts trained the cast in airport protocols and procedures, ensuring their actions and dialogue reflected real-life TSA and law enforcement practices.
What is Carry-On about?
Carry-On is a thriller that follows Ethan Kopek (Taron Egerton), a TSA officer stationed at LAX. Ethan dreams of becoming a police officer but finds himself stuck in his current role. His mundane routine is upended when a mysterious individual known as the Traveler (Jason Bateman) blackmails him into allowing a specific passenger to bypass security with a deadly nerve agent in their possession.
The film is set on Christmas Eve, heightening the tension as the stakes become increasingly personal. The Traveler threatens Ethan’s pregnant girlfriend, Nora (Sofia Carson), forcing him to comply with the sinister plan.
As events spiral out of control, Ethan must navigate a web of moral dilemmas, ethical choices, and high-pressure confrontations to protect his loved ones and prevent a catastrophic attack. The story blends action and emotional depth, with Ethan’s struggle serving as the heart of the narrative.
Along the way, LAPD detective Elena Cole (Danielle Deadwyler) uncovers connections between an arson case and the Traveler’s plot, leading to a tense collaboration between law enforcement and Ethan in the race to thwart the attack.
The film builds to a climactic showdown aboard a plane, where Ethan risks everything to disarm the nerve agent and stop the Traveler.
Cast and more details on Carry-On
Carry-On has a strong ensemble cast, with Taron Egerton delivering a compelling performance as Ethan Kopek. Jason Bateman portrays the enigmatic and menacing Traveler, while Sofia Carson plays Nora Parisi, Ethan’s pregnant girlfriend and a key figure in the airport’s operations. Danielle Deadwyler takes on the role of Elena Cole, an LAPD detective who becomes entangled in the unfolding crisis.
Other notable cast members include Dean Norris as Ethan’s supervisor Phil Sarkowski, Theo Rossi as the Watcher, and Sinqua Walls as Ethan’s co-worker Jason. The film's attention to detail is also evident in subtle choices, such as Egerton’s decision to wear Goodyear footwear, a nod to real-life TSA agents.
For the unversed, Carry-On was released on Netflix on December 13, 2024, and viewers can watch it with an active subscription.
