Netflix’s Carry-On Hailed As The ‘Best Christmas Movie Of The Year’

A captivating new holiday film on Netflix is receiving acclaim from both audiences and critics, drawing parallels to iconic action films.

Blending high-octane suspense with a festive setting, Netflix’s newest offering is igniting passionate discussions regarding its status among cherished Christmas favorites.

Helmed by Jaume Collet-Serra, renowned for his work on The Shallows, the film features Taron Egerton and Jason Bateman in a compelling narrative set on Christmas Eve.

Egerton takes on the role of a TSA agent who finds himself coerced into smuggling perilous items onto an aircraft due to blackmail. The stakes are elevated, and the suspense is unyielding.

Bateman plays the enigmatic figure orchestrating the blackmail, while a talented supporting cast—including Sofia Carson, Danielle Deadwyler, and Logan Marshall-Green—enhances the film’s dramatic depth.

Penned by TJ Fixman, the movie was originally intended to launch Netflix’s partnership with Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment. However, revisions to the script led to some delays.

In retrospect, the additional time appears to have been beneficial, as the film has garnered a wave of favorable reviews. Critics have swiftly labeled it one of the season’s finest, with William Bibbiani of The Wrap noting it is “as thrilling as any other action film this year.”

Pramit Chatterjee of Digital Media Talkies went even further, proclaiming it “the best Christmas movie of the year.”

Additionally, Nick Schager of The Daily Beast commended the film’s vibrancy, referring to it as a “Yuletide streaming gift.”

Director Collet-Serra has openly acknowledged that Die Hard was a significant influence on this endeavor.

In a discussion with the BBC, Collet-Serra remarked, “Everyone aspires to create the next Die Hard, yet the truth is that no one ever will – it is a flawless film that cannot be duplicated.”

The impact of Die Hard is clear, not only due to its holiday backdrop but also because of its narrative centered on an average individual thrust into remarkable situations.

Similar to Bruce Willis’s John McClane, Egerton’s character embodies the everyman archetype, becoming embroiled in a perilous, high-stakes scenario.

Despite these similarities, Collet-Serra stressed that the film retains its unique character while honoring its source of inspiration.

He encapsulated the project’s vision succinctly, remarking: “It was our North Star throughout the process.”

For many years, the debate over whether Die Hard is a Christmas film has polarized audiences.

Director John McTiernan addressed this topic in a 2020 interview with the American Film Institute.

McTiernan acknowledged that although the film was not originally conceived with Christmas in mind, its themes of joy, redemption, and familial bonds have rendered it a perennial holiday favorite.

This new Netflix offering appears to embody a similar essence, merging festive joy with thrilling action.

Critics concur that Carry-On achieves an effective equilibrium. James Dyer of Empire referred to it as ‘Die Hard karaoke’ while still commending its execution. He even suggested that it may surpass some of the later installments in the Die Hard franchise.

Meanwhile, Peter Debruge of Variety emphasized the film’s holiday ambiance and commended its homage to diligent TSA agents, all while providing exhilarating entertainment ideal for a cozy evening.

With its timely release for the holiday season and positive reviews, Carry-On has established itself as an essential festive thriller.

Whether it ignites new discussions about the true essence of a Christmas movie or simply provides a delightful diversion during the season, its influence is undeniable.

Featuring a skilled cast, sharp dialogue, and a clear homage to a cherished classic, this film rightfully claims its position as a holiday highlight.