Sommerleigh Pollonais – Horror Head Writer
DAY 23
Movie: Train to Busan (2016)
Plot: While a zombie virus breaks out in South Korea, passengers struggle to survive on the train from Seoul to Busan.
Review: What more can I say about this movie? I’ve been singing its praises since I saw it, it’s made it on to many of my Ranked listings, and made me an instant fan of director, Sang-ho Yeon. A zombie film that added new undead life to the sub-genre, Train to Busan is a must-see movie, not just for horror fans, but movie fans period!
This South-Korean tale of a father fighting for the survival of his daughter and himself during a zombie outbreak is chock full of adrenaline, gore, thrills and action. But what makes it truly stand out from the rest is the heartfelt dramatic moments that unfold. Yes, there are cliched characters, like the fearmonger, the lovesick school girl, the tough guy etc, but they never overshadow the lead characters, and their emotional moments are so well delivered by the actors, you will find yourself fully invested in their journey and their fight for survival. Yoo Gong as Seok- Woo, a father who has spent so much time working that his wife left him and his daughter barely knows him, and Su-an Kim as said daughter Soo-an, a child who has lost all faith in her father’s promises and who just wants to spend her birthday with her mother, are the heart of this story. Young Su-an Kim is phenomenal in her role. Child actors tend to be the bane of most movies, but she is exceptional here and her portrayal of this character will move you to tears.
The zombie makeup works well and the way they move is a mix of 28 Days Later and World War Z. The shear numbers of these hordes are terrifying with one of my favorite scenes (trust me, there are lots of them to choose from) was the chase scene in the train station, when they are trying to make it from one station to the next without getting eaten or zombiefied.
The tension barely lets up in Busan but even when things slow down, it never feels like it’s dragging or wasting time. Like most zombie movies, this is a story of survival, but it’s also a story of sacrifice and choosing what’s best for the many and not the one. It’s an unforgettable film that sticks with you in the best ways possible. Train to Busan is the perfect addition to any zombie fan’s movie collection and, frankly speaking, is a strong contender for the best zombie movie ever made.
Sommer’s Score: 9 out of 10
So do you agree that Train to Busan is a one of the best zombie movies ever? For part 22 of 31 Days of Horror and period horror The Witch you can click here. And for more than 100 horror movie reviews and lists you can check out the RMR horror section here.
Sommerleigh of the House Pollonais. First of Her Name. Sushi Lover, Queen of Horror Movies, Comic Books and Binge Watching Netflix. Mother of two beautiful black cats named Vader and Kylo. I think eating Popcorn at the movies should be mandatory, PS4 makes the best games ever and I’ll be talking about movies until the zombie apocalypse comes.
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