“Carry-On,” a hit holiday airport movie on Netflix, was criticized by crewmembers, TSA agents, and security experts for taking creative liberties with airport security. The film follows TSA agent Ethan Kopek as he tries to outsmart a traveler who blackmails him into letting a dangerous package slip onto a flight. Despite its inaccuracies, the movie quickly became popular, topping Netflix’s global top 10 charts with 42 million views in its first week.
In a TikTok video, stewardess Camille and a male flight attendant ridiculed scenes from the movie, including an unrealistic portrayal of access to the galley and luggage area. Jessica Mayle, a spokeswoman for the TSA, also pointed out inaccuracies in the movie, such as playing “contraband bingo” and passengers refusing scanner screenings without consequences. She stated that the portrayal of a single TSA agent causing a major security breach was unlikely given the organization’s layered approach to security.
Mayle also emphasized that airports would not resume normal operations during a security breach like that shown in the movie. However, some aspects were accurate, such as a student being able to use a student ID for identification, though they would undergo additional vetting causing delays. Despite the inaccuracies, Mayle commended the film for portraying the TSA workforce positively, even if the main character made questionable decisions initially.
Film critics praised “Carry-On” for being entertaining and well-cast, with an 87% fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes. While acknowledging its inaccuracies, critics appreciated the film’s portrayal of a TSA agent caught in a deadly terrorist plot involving a smuggled carry-on suitcase. The movie was described as a preposterous but engaging thrill ride that didn’t take itself too seriously while featuring compelling heroes and villains.
Overall, the movie “Carry-On” was met with mixed reviews from those within the airline industry and security experts. While it was criticized for its creative liberties and inaccuracies, it also garnered praise for its entertainment value and engaging storyline. Despite its flaws, the film managed to capture the spirit of the TSA and the challenges faced by airport security personnel, albeit in a dramatized and exaggerated manner. As with most Hollywood thrillers, “Carry-On” provided audiences with an entertaining escape into the world of airport security, even if it may have taken some creative liberties along the way.
