Carry On and Die Hard

SUMMARY

  • Jason Bateman’s role as “The Traveler” redefines the archetype of a villain by presenting him as an ordinary, calculated individual, making his performance both chilling and relatable.
  • The movie pays homage to Die Hard, featuring parallels like a holiday setting and a high-stakes terrorist plot, while still maintaining a distinct narrative.
  • Carry-On is leading Netflix’s global charts with 5.5 million views, an 88% Tomatometer score, and widespread praise from critics and audiences alike.

Netflix’s latest holiday action-thriller, Carry-On, was released on the platform on December 13. Featuring Jason Bateman in an unexpected role as a villain and Taron Egerton as the determined TSA agent trying to thwart his plans, the film pays homage to the iconic Die Hard while carving out its own unique narrative. 

At its heart is Bateman’s chilling portrayal of “The Traveler,” a calm, calculated antagonist who effectively redefines what it means to be menacing. The actor, who initially made a niche for himself as a comedy actor, was glad for one aspect of the character, which allowed him to play the role to his best.

Jason Bateman was thankful for his role in Carry-On

image 106Jason Bateman’s Carry-On. | Netflix,

Jason Bateman’s role as a blackmailer in Carry-On is far removed from the archetype of hardened, criminal-looking villains. At the red-carpet premiere, Bateman shared his thoughts on this unique take, saying, (via Hollywood Reporter)

I’m not some hardened criminal-looking kind of guy, so I’m glad they didn’t want me to play him like that. They let me do it as just a guy and this is just his job. He wants to blow this plane up, move on to the next thing, and get home for the holidays too.

The movie has some obvious parallels with Die Hard, with Bateman’s character attempting to blow up the plane on Christmas Eve. However, while Hans Gruber as a villain who looked, acted, and sounded menacing, Bateman’s character is quite the opposite. He was instead a silent killer, hiding in the shadows, and was served up as a surprise villain who only wanted to get the job done.

Regardless, the surprise element of Bateman’s casting also drew praise from Egerton, who said:

It’s unusual because he presents as someone quite safe but actually underneath it, he’s awful. Knowing Jason for all his film work and Arrested Development and Ozark, it’s surreal to be working with him.”

Big words indeed. Bateman has proven not only as the driving force behind the Netflix-starrer, his casting was also termed as ‘inspired’ by T.J. Fixman.

Carry-On writer T.J. Fixman believes Jason Bateman’s casting in the movie is ‘inspired’

BeFunky collage 4 2A still from Carry-On. | Netflix, Instagram

As far as Bateman’s casting is concerned, it drew praise from not just his co-stars, but also T.J. Fixman, who wrote the movie. In an interview with The New York Times, he claimed:

He’s supposed to be the guy you don’t see coming. I think it was inspired casting.

Alongside Bateman and Egerton, the ensemble cast includes Danielle Deadwyler, Dean Norris, Sinqua Walls, Theo Rossi, and Sofia Carson. And the formula seems to have worked brilliantly. Carry-On is currently leading Netflix’s global charts when it comes to streaming hours.

The movie also boasts an 88% Tomatometer score and has been well-received by both critics and viewers.

Netflix Jason Bateman in Ozark | image: Netflix

All signs point to another Holiday classic, with the movie already viewed more than 5.5 million times on Netflix.  

Jason Bateman

Rishabh Bhatnagar

Written by Rishabh Bhatnagar

Articles Published: 256

Rishabh Bhatnagar is an Entertainment and pop culture journalist/editor with Fandom Wire. He has more than 6 years of experience working for multiple major platforms and is himself an avid consumer of worthwhile content. A natural storyteller, Rishabh has a unique way with words and is always looking to improve, as a storyteller, writer, and a journalist.