First, there’s Black Doves, and now Carry-On during the holiday season on Netflix – both thrilling and intriguing to watch all the way through

Although the holiday season is typically defined by feel-good Christmas movies, Netflix is proving that this year is all about action thrillers such as Black Doves and Carry-On. In the month of December, the Keira Knightley TV show and the Taron Egerton movie have both made waves on Netflix’s list of top trending movies and shows. With star-studded casts and unique premises, this isn’t a complete surprise. However, both of these projects also raise questions about what aud ences are looking for during the holiday season, and whether Christmas has an effect on these action-packed projects.

At the moment, Netflix’s top 10 movies and shows represent a strange mix of holiday flicks, popular new releases, and intense action stories. For example, Carry-On is currently the #1 movie on Netflix, but it sits alongside projects like That Christmas, Barbie, Subservience, and Disaster Holiday. The TV line-up is even darker, with the disaster drama La Palma and the dark comedy No Good Deed, alongside Black Doves. What this unexpected line-up proves is that the holiday season is just as good for darkness and deceit on-screen as it is for joy and love.

What Black Doves & Carry-On Are About

Taron Egerton as Ethan Kopek in Carry-On

Keira Knightley pointing a pistol as Helen in Black Doves

The traveler (Jason Bateman) in Carry-on

Helen Webb (Keira Knightley) with a blood-covered face talks to Sam Young (Ben Whishaw) in Black Doves

Taron Egerton looking at monitors in Carry-On

The thing that makes Black Doves and Carry-On stand out among the other trending titles at the moment is the fact that they are both dark action-thriller stories set during Christmas. First, Black Doves is a British spy series starring Keira Knightley as Helen Webb. Helen is a member of the Black Doves spy organization, yet her cover is blown when her politician husband is killed by members of the London Underground. As a result, Helen must protect herself and her identity with the help of an old friend who has been sent to protect her.

Meanwhile, Carry-On follows Taron Egerton as TSA agent Ethan Kopek. On Christmas Eve, Ethan is working at the airport on Christmas Eve when he has a run-in with a mysterious and dangerous traveler, played by Jason Bateman. Ethan is soon blackmailed into letting this man onto a plane with a secret package, the contents of which could be disastrous for those on the flight with him. Thus, Ethan must figure out a way to stop this crime, while also protecting his own secrets. Ultimately, both stories take place during Christmastime, but aren’t too concerned with spreading cheer.

Does The Fact That It Is Christmas Matter In Black Doves OR Carry-On?

How Christmas Creates An Interesting Ambiance

Helen (Keira Knightley) and Wallace Webb's (Andrew Buchan) smile next to each other in Black Doves

The inclusion of Christmas varies between Black Doves and Carry-On. When it comes to Black Doves, the time of year doesn’t seem to matter too much. It isn’t mentioned in the premise of the series, and either way, the show has a timeline that skips around occasionally, making the holiday season somewhat irrelevant. On the other hand, Carry-On’s time frame feels a bit more important. Ethan’s situation is scary, but it is made even worse by the rush of holiday travel. At a time when everyone should feel jolly, Ethan must try to protect people’s lives without them realizing it.

In this way, Black Doves and Carry-On use their Christmas setting in unexpected ways that may feel unimportant, but actually add to the overall feeling of the projects.

Although Christmas doesn’t make a huge impact on the plot of Black Doves and Carry-On, it definitely adds to the ambiance of the projects. Black Doves has a cloudy, cold quality to it that is reminiscent of winter and perfectly encapsulates the dangerous position Helen is in. In the same vein, Carry-On is made better by its Christmas elements because it makes the film feel more realistic and close to home. In this way, Black Doves and Carry-On use their Christmas setting in unexpected ways that may feel unimportant, but actually add to the overall feeling of the projects.

How Do Black Doves & Carry-On Compare To The Ultimate Not Really A Christmas Movie

It’s Good To Subvert Christmas Expectations

Taron Egerton in a TSA uniform looking concerned with a monitor behind him in Carry-On

In some ways, Black Doves and Carry-On can be compared to some of the most iconic Christmas-but-not-really-Christmas movies, the most famous example being Die Hard. Movies and shows like Die Hard do not have the same good feelings that a typical Christmas movie does, but by virtue of their setting, they still somewhat count as Christmas movies. Black Doves and Carry-On could also be lumped into this category. Carry-On, in particular, has the same action-heavy, high-stakes atmosphere as Die Hard, which makes it a perfect follow-up to the Christmas classic.

Ultimately, these types of Christmas-but-not-really-Christmas projects are fun because they subvert expectations. While it is definitely nice to watch feel-good content during the holiday season, some audiences may get bored with the same tropes and sensations. That is where Black Doves and Carry-On come in. By watching these new projects, viewers can still enjoy the holiday spirit while also becoming invested in a storyline that is much bigger than Christmas.