Carry-On
A mysterious traveler blackmails a young TSA agent into letting a dangerous package slip through security and onto a Christmas Eve flight.
Produced on a mid-range budget of $47.0M, the film represents a studio production.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Ethan Kopek
The Traveler
Nora Parisi
Detective Elena Cole
Jason Noble
Phil Sarkowski
Main Cast & Characters
Ethan Kopek
Played by Taron Egerton
A TSA agent working on Christmas Eve who is blackmailed into letting a dangerous package through security to save his girlfriend's life.
The Traveler
Played by Jason Bateman
A mysterious and ruthless terrorist who manipulates Ethan through an earpiece, forcing him to compromise airport security.
Nora Parisi
Played by Sofia Carson
Ethan's girlfriend, a police officer who becomes a hostage to force Ethan's compliance with the Traveler's plan.
Detective Elena Cole
Played by Danielle Deadwyler
A determined homicide detective investigating a murder connected to the terrorist plot at the airport.
Jason Noble
Played by Dean Norris
Ethan's arrogant and ambitious TSA supervisor who constantly undermines him and seeks advancement.
Phil Sarkowski
Played by Sinqua Walls
A veteran TSA agent and Ethan's supportive colleague who provides comic relief and moral support.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ethan Kopek prepares for another mundane Christmas Eve shift as a TSA agent at LAX, his law enforcement dreams deferred as he settles into routine airport security work alongside his pregnant girlfriend Nora.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when The Traveler approaches Ethan's security lane and delivers a chilling ultimatum through an earpiece: let a specific carry-on bag through security or Nora dies. He reveals he has eyes on Nora and will kill her instantly if Ethan doesn't comply.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 30 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Ethan makes the fateful decision to let the suspicious bag through security, crossing a line he can't uncross. Rather than simply comply, he commits to actively working to stop the plot from within, becoming an unwilling participant in the conspiracy., moving from reaction to action.
At 60 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Ethan discovers the carry-on contains a nerve agent intended to assassinate a high-profile target on the flight. The stakes escalate from personal survival to preventing mass casualties. The Traveler reveals the depth of his contingency plans, making escape seem impossible., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 90 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The Traveler's team captures Nora and threatens her life directly. Ethan's cover is blown within TSA, and he's treated as a suspect rather than a victim. The bag is on the plane, the flight is about to depart, and Ethan has lost control of the situation entirely., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 96 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Ethan realizes The Traveler's weakness: his arrogance and need for control. Combining his TSA training with Detective Cole's investigation, Ethan formulates a plan to stop the attack and rescue Nora simultaneously. He finally steps up as the hero he was meant to be., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Carry-On's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Carry-On against these established plot points, we can identify how Jaume Collet-Serra utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Carry-On within the action genre.
Jaume Collet-Serra's Structural Approach
Among the 10 Jaume Collet-Serra films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Carry-On exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jaume Collet-Serra filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more Jaume Collet-Serra analyses, see Black Adam, House of Wax and Jungle Cruise.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ethan Kopek prepares for another mundane Christmas Eve shift as a TSA agent at LAX, his law enforcement dreams deferred as he settles into routine airport security work alongside his pregnant girlfriend Nora.
Theme
A fellow TSA agent remarks to Ethan that he's "too smart to be stuck here" and questions why he hasn't pursued his real ambitions, establishing the theme of stepping up when it matters most versus playing it safe.
Worldbuilding
The chaotic Christmas Eve environment at LAX is established: stressed travelers, overworked TSA staff, security protocols, and the relationship between Ethan and Nora. Ethan is shown as competent but underutilized, stuck in a job below his potential.
Disruption
The Traveler approaches Ethan's security lane and delivers a chilling ultimatum through an earpiece: let a specific carry-on bag through security or Nora dies. He reveals he has eyes on Nora and will kill her instantly if Ethan doesn't comply.
Resistance
Ethan struggles with the impossible choice as The Traveler demonstrates his reach and resources. Ethan attempts to signal for help subtly while following instructions, debating whether to comply or resist. He learns the bag contains something catastrophic.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ethan makes the fateful decision to let the suspicious bag through security, crossing a line he can't uncross. Rather than simply comply, he commits to actively working to stop the plot from within, becoming an unwilling participant in the conspiracy.
Mirror World
Detective Elena Cole enters the picture, investigating suspicious activity at LAX. Her methodical police work and willingness to trust her instincts represents what Ethan could become if he embraces his potential rather than staying safe.
Premise
A tense cat-and-mouse game unfolds as Ethan tries to sabotage the plot while appearing to comply. He leaves subtle clues, attempts to identify The Traveler's team, and races against time as the target flight approaches boarding. The Traveler counters each move.
Midpoint
Ethan discovers the carry-on contains a nerve agent intended to assassinate a high-profile target on the flight. The stakes escalate from personal survival to preventing mass casualties. The Traveler reveals the depth of his contingency plans, making escape seem impossible.
Opposition
The Traveler tightens his grip as Ethan's attempts to get help are systematically thwarted. Every ally Ethan tries to recruit is neutralized or revealed to be compromised. Nora is moved to a more vulnerable location. Detective Cole gets closer but hits dead ends.
Collapse
The Traveler's team captures Nora and threatens her life directly. Ethan's cover is blown within TSA, and he's treated as a suspect rather than a victim. The bag is on the plane, the flight is about to depart, and Ethan has lost control of the situation entirely.
Crisis
Ethan faces his darkest moment: branded a terrorist, girlfriend captured, passengers in mortal danger. He must choose between surrendering to save Nora or making a final desperate play that could get everyone killed. The weight of his deferred ambitions confronts him.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Ethan realizes The Traveler's weakness: his arrogance and need for control. Combining his TSA training with Detective Cole's investigation, Ethan formulates a plan to stop the attack and rescue Nora simultaneously. He finally steps up as the hero he was meant to be.
Synthesis
Ethan executes his plan in a pulse-pounding finale. He races through the airport, coordinates with Cole to locate Nora, and confronts The Traveler directly. The climax involves stopping the nerve agent from being deployed while simultaneously rescuing Nora from captivity.
Transformation
With The Traveler defeated and Nora safe, Ethan stands transformed. No longer the underachiever content with routine, he's proven himself capable of heroism. The final image shows Ethan and Nora together, his path to becoming a real law enforcement officer now clear.