Carry-On Ending Explained: Does Ethan Triumph Over the Traveler?

Netflix’s Carry-On has officially been released, delivering a high-stakes crime thriller with a festive backdrop already sparking buzz. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra (The Shallows), the film masterfully blends edge-of-your-seat suspense with a Christmastime setting, creating a unique twist on the holiday movie formula.

The star-studded cast includes Taron Egerton, Jason Bateman, Danielle Deadwyler, and others, bringing this gripping story to life. The film’s explosive ending has left fans with plenty of questions about its intense climax and what it could mean for the potential future of the Carry-On franchise.

A TSA agent, Ethan Kopek (Egerton), unknowingly becomes involved in a dangerous criminal conspiracy when he finds an earpiece during security screening. Threatened by an anonymous voice, he must decide whether to let a specific bag through airport security, jeopardizing his pregnant wife’s life. As the situation escalates, Ethan faces a moral dilemma and realizes the severe consequences of his choices.

Determined to take action, Ethan confronts Jason Bateman’s menacing character, “The Traveler.” The film’s climax sees Ethan boarding the Traveler’s plane, culminating in a heart-pounding showdown that leaves audiences on the edge of their seats. Here’s an in-depth breakdown of Carry-On’s thrilling conclusion and its implications for what could come next.

How Did Ethan Defeat Jason Bateman’s Villain in Carry-On’s Explosive Ending?

The ending of Carry-On is packed with suspense, twists, and high-stakes drama that leave viewers on the edge of their seats. For much of the movie, Ethan Kopek (Taron Egerton) doesn’t know the true contents of the bag he’s coerced into letting through airport security. However, in a shocking turn, he discovers it contains a deadly nerve agent, part of a sinister plot by the Traveler (Jason Bateman) and his criminal organization to release it on a plane.

After the courier carrying the nerve agent dies, the Traveler is forced to board the plane himself to execute the plan. While authorities rush to track him down, Ethan realizes the Traveler is on a different flight than the one being targeted, prompting him to take matters into his own hands.

Ethan boards the plane and enters the cargo hold, where he attempts to neutralize the nerve agent using knowledge he gained earlier in the story.

Meanwhile, the Traveler, suspicious of an alert on his phone, makes his way to the cargo hold and confronts Ethan. In a tense struggle, the Traveler tries to shoot Ethan, inadvertently alerting the pilots, who decide to turn the plane back to LAX. As the plane prepares to land, Ethan reveals his clever move—he has already removed the nerve agent from the bag.

In a gripping final moment, he traps the Traveler inside a fridge with the deadly nerve agent, holding the door shut until it eliminates the villain. This thrilling climax highlights Ethan’s bravery and quick thinking and concludes the film’s high-tension narrative.

What Was the Villains’ Plan and Target in Carry-On?

The villains’ plan in Carry-On unfolds gradually, with its full scope revealed only in the film’s climax. At the center of the plot is a controversial bill introduced by a U.S. politician to protect democracies at risk. If passed, this legislation would significantly benefit weapons manufacturers.

However, the bill lacks the necessary votes to move forward. Jason Bateman’s character, the Traveler, is a profit-driven criminal hired by a shadowy organization with ties to these manufacturers. His mission? Release a Russian nerve agent on a plane carrying the politician to orchestrate her assassination.

While this may seem counterintuitive, the Traveler explains the chilling logic behind the plan. Killing the politician with a Russian nerve agent would make it appear as though Russia orchestrated the attack in retaliation against the proposed bill.

This, in turn, would ignite public and political support for the legislation, ensuring its passage and ultimately enriching the weapons manufacturers. Despite the cost of eliminating an ally, the criminals view this as a calculated move to achieve their endgame, creating a morally complex and sinister conspiracy that drives the tension in Carry-On.

Why Does Ethan Decide to Become a Cop at the End of Carry-On?

Throughout Carry-On, Ethan Kopek’s dream of becoming a cop is central to his character. Although he was once kicked out of the police academy, he gave up on that ambition and settled for a job as a TSA agent despite his dissatisfaction.

His wife, Nora, encourages him to pursue his dream again, but Ethan is resigned to his current position. However, by the end of Carry-On, there is a time jump of one year, revealing that Ethan has finally made his way into law enforcement.

The experience of taking down the Traveler and his involvement in the criminal case have reignited his passion for justice, motivating him to give his dream another shot. This shift in Ethan’s career marks a powerful personal growth moment and provides a hopeful conclusion to his journey.

What Is the Importance of Ethan’s Failed Polygraph Test in Carry-On?

In Carry-On, Ethan’s failed polygraph test is pivotal for his character development and the film’s overarching themes. At one point, he confesses to the Traveler that he was kicked out of the police academy for failing the test after lying about witnessing a crime he didn’t report. This moment sheds light on Ethan’s troubled past and his internal struggle with guilt and redemption.

His decision to take action and stop the Traveler’s dangerous plot becomes a turning point, offering him the opportunity to atone for his past mistakes. By confronting the Traveler and ultimately preventing a major disaster, Ethan proves he is worthy of his dream job as a police officer, closing the chapter on his previous failure and setting the stage for a new beginning.

What Is the Real Meaning of Carry-On’s Ending? Unraveling the Final Moments

“Carry-On” leaves audiences with much to ponder, especially regarding its central theme of action versus inaction. The film focuses on Ethan, who is content with living in stasis. He avoids asking for a promotion, neglects his goal of becoming a police officer, and doesn’t actively seek to improve his life.

This attitude frustrates his wife, Nora, who reflects on how much Ethan has changed by reminding him of his once-persistent nature, particularly when he first pursued her. The pivotal dilemma in the film—posed by the Traveler’s plan—forces Ethan to confront his complacency. He must choose between inaction, resulting in devastating consequences, and taking a risk that could disrupt his stagnant life.

Ethan’s reluctance to move forward resonates with many viewers, as most can relate to the struggle of breaking free from inertia. While few face a life-or-death conspiracy like Ethan, his transformation is a compelling reminder of the importance of embracing change to move forward in life.

Will There Be a Carry-On 2? Everything You Need to Know About the Sequel

There has been no official confirmation about a Carry-On 2 yet, but the possibility of a sequel remains open. Director Jaume Collet-Serra, who has never directed a sequel before, has been behind several films with potential for follow-ups, including Jungle Cruise and Black Adam. His track record suggests that if Carry-On is successful, especially with Netflix looking to build strong franchises, the streaming giant could be interested in expanding the story.

A potential Carry-On 2 might continue Ethan Kopek’s journey, exploring his evolution into a police officer. This could see him entangled in another complex criminal conspiracy, similar to the deadly nerve agent plot from the first film. With the right mix of action, suspense, and character development, a sequel could offer fans even more thrilling moments, deepening Ethan’s transformation while introducing new challenges. If the first film resonates with audiences, there’s a strong chance that Carry-On could become a recurring franchise on Netflix.

About Carry-On

Carry-On is an upcoming American action thriller film directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and written by T.J. Fixman. The film stars Taron Egerton, Sofia Carson, Danielle Deadwyler and Jason Bateman. Its plot follows a young TSA officer who is blackmailed into letting a dangerous package onboard an upcoming flight during Christmas Day.

Carry-On is scheduled to be released on Netflix on December 13, 2024.

Plot: A mysterious traveler blackmails Ethan Kopek, a young TSA officer, to let a dangerous package slip through security and onto a Christmas Day flight.