If you’ve spent any time on Netflix recently, you’ve probably seen Sofia Carson’s face. Usually, it's next to a piano or a military uniform, thanks to the massive success of Purple Hearts. But things took a sharper, more adrenaline-fueled turn with the release of Carry-On in late 2024. This isn’t the typical "Sofia Carson sings a ballad" project. It’s a high-stakes, sweat-inducing thriller.
Honestly, people were surprised.
Carson plays Nora Parisi, the head of operations at LAX. At 29, she’s a powerhouse. Her character is a sharp contrast to Taron Egerton’s Ethan Kopek, a TSA agent who feels like he’s running in place. Then comes the Christmas Eve from hell. A mysterious traveler, played by a chillingly calm Jason Bateman, blackmails Ethan. The stakes? Let a dangerous package—a carry-on—slip through security, or Nora dies.
Why Carry On Sofia Carson is the Career Pivot Nobody Expected
For years, the narrative around Sofia Carson was "Disney star turned Netflix darling." It’s a solid path. But Carry-On shifted the gears. Instead of being the girl with the guitar, she became the woman in the middle of a tactical nightmare.
You’ve got to admire the choice.
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Director Jaume Collet-Serra, known for Orphan and Black Adam, didn't want a "damsel in distress." Carson was vocal about this during the press junkets. She insisted that Nora had to be able to save herself. She didn't want to be a bargaining chip; she wanted to be a player in the game. That specific energy is what makes her performance work. It's grounded.
The movie itself is basically an ode to Die Hard. It’s a holiday action flick that doesn’t take itself too seriously but keeps the tension high. If you watch closely, you’ll see the subtle moments where Carson builds Nora’s character—like the way she privatizes her emotions on security cameras. It’s clever acting.
Breaking Down the Action and the "No Damsel" Rule
The car sequence? Yeah, that was real.
Carson has mentioned in interviews that the car chase was visceral because they used practical sets and real vehicles at high speeds. It wasn't just green screen magic. For an actress who built her brand on poise and vocals, seeing her dive into physical, "dirty" action choreography was a breath of fresh air for fans.
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- The Motivation: Nora is the "hope and heart" of the story.
- The Conflict: She’s oblivious to the threat for a good chunk of the film while the audience watches Ethan crumble.
- The Resolution: When the glass finally breaks, Nora doesn't wait for a hero. She acts.
It's a "popcorn delight," as she called it. But it’s also a savvy business move. By proving she can hold her own next to heavyweights like Bateman and Egerton, she’s expanded her "E-E-A-T" (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) in the acting world beyond just musicals.
The Music Factor: Did She Sing?
Whenever Sofia Carson is in a movie, the first question on Google is always: "Does she have a song on the soundtrack?"
For Carry-On, the answer is a bit different than usual. The movie leans heavily on Christmas classics—think Bruce Springsteen’s "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" and Wham!’s "Last Christmas." It’s about the vibe of the airport during the holidays. However, Carson did release a holiday duet with Andrea Bocelli titled "White Christmas" around the same time.
It’s almost like she’s living two lives. One where she’s a gritty action lead and another where she’s a global vocal icon.
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By the start of 2026, Carson has become a permanent fixture in the "most-watched" lists. Carry-On hit over 149 million views within its first month, making it one of the most successful English-language films in Netflix history. That’s not just luck. It’s a combination of a high-concept script and a lead actress who knows exactly how to market to her massive "Carsonator" fanbase while winning over thriller enthusiasts.
What's Next for the "Netflix Queen"?
If you loved her in Carry-On, you won't have to wait long for more. She’s already wrapped My Oxford Year, which is a total 180-degree turn back into romantic drama. It's based on the Julia Whelan book, and the hype is already through the roof.
She's also working on The Life List. She told reporters that the soundtrack for that one was actually created before they even started filming. That’s a level of creative involvement you don’t see often. It shows she’s not just an actress for hire; she’s deeply embedded in the DNA of her projects.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Viewers
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of Sofia Carson's recent work, here is how to navigate it:
- Watch Carry-On for the tension: Don't go in expecting a musical. Go in for the cat-and-mouse game between Egerton and Bateman.
- Look for the "Die Hard" Easter eggs: The film intentionally uses the holiday setting to contrast with the high-stakes surveillance plot.
- Check out the 2025 singles: While the movie doesn't have a "Sofia Carson original," her 2024-2025 singles like "Joke's On Me" and "I Hope You Know" provide the emotional depth fans usually associate with her films.
- Follow the Netflix partnership: With My Oxford Year and The Life List on the horizon, Carson is effectively the face of the streaming service’s original film slate.
The shift we saw in Carry-On proves that Sofia Carson is playing the long game. She’s building a resume that spans genres, ensuring that whether you want a cry, a song, or a heart-pounding chase, she’s the one delivering it.