The Action-Packed World of Thrillers: A Comparison of Carry-On to Classic Holiday Films
In a world where international conspiracies and high-stakes action thrillers reign supreme, it’s refreshing to find a film that takes the holiday season to a new level. Netflix’s latest release, Carry-On, is a thriller directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, starring Taron Egerton and Jason Bateman. This action-packed film takes us on a journey through a suspicious suitcase and an international conspiracy, and it’s here that we draw parallels to some classic holiday films that have become synonymous with thrills and suspense.
The first film to come to mind is Panic Room (2002), directed by David Fincher. Like Carry-On, Panic Room takes a simple story and elevates it with slick direction, sharp writing, and powerful performances. In this case, it’s Kristen Stewart and Jodie Foster who find themselves trapped in their home’s panic room, fighting for their lives against a group of intruders. Like Carry-On, Panic Room’s tense atmosphere is created by the chemistry between its lead characters, and its gripping plot twists keep the audience on the edge of their seats.
Another film that shares similarities with Carry-On is The Guilty (2021), directed by Antoine Fuqua. While it may not be a traditional holiday film, its grounded and attentive depiction of a 911 dispatch officer’s struggles to save the life of a young woman make it a great companion piece to Carry-On’s suspenseful tale. The Guilty’s restrained approach to thrills and spills is mirrored in Carry-On’s early acts, as both films build tension and intrigue through their lead performances and clever storytelling.
But for some, the closest comparison to Carry-On might be the film Phone Booth (2002), directed by Joel Schumacher. Like Carry-On, Phone Booth takes place almost entirely within a confined space – a phone booth in this case – as its protagonist, Stu (Colin Farrell), navigates a deadly game of cat and mouse with a mysterious caller. The tension between the two leads, Stu and Keifer Sutherland’s villain, is palpable, and the whole film runs on the electric dynamic between these two actors, much like Carry-On’s own gripping performances.
Other classic holiday films, such as Red Eye (2005) and Buried (2010), also share some of the same DNA with Carry-On. Red Eye’s high-stakes thriller about a plane hijacking, directed by Wes Craven, features a tense atmosphere and a cast of memorable characters, while Buried’s claustrophobic thriller about a buried coffin, directed by Rodrigo Cortes, features Ryan Reynolds’ powerful performance.
Of course, the king of holiday action films has to be Die Hard (1988), directed by John McTiernan. While Carry-On might not have the same iconic status as Die Hard, the two films share some clear similarities. Both take place on Christmas Eve, feature main characters whose love interests are used as hostages, and center around terrorists who force the protagonist to comply with their plans to save civilian lives. It’s clear that Die Hard has been an inspiration for Carry-On, and Collet-Serra’s film does a great job of living up to its festive legacy.
In conclusion, while Carry-On might not be a traditional holiday film, its unique blend of suspense, intrigue, and thrills has drawn comparisons to some of the most iconic holiday films of all time. From Panic Room’s tense atmosphere to Phone Booth’s confined space thriller, and from Red Eye’s plane hijacking to Die Hard’s explosive action, Carry-On has earned its place among the holiday film pantheon.
