Train to Busan

[kevinknapman]

Anyone looking for a decent horror movie this Halloween could do worse than check out South Korean animation director Yeon Sang-ho's live action debut Train to Busan.

A ridiculously entertaining horror film that finds a workaholic father escorting his daughter on the titular train home to his ex-wife just as a zombie outbreak hits.

Making incredibly effective use of its cramped setting for tense horror thrills, with the occasional stop for no less nerve-wracking mass zombie attacks, Train to Busan is one of the finest films of its type of recent years.

Crucially it's one with a strong emotional core, as writer/director Yeon Sang-ho gives you several pairs of characters to get invested in.
The aforementioned father and daughter, a pregnant woman and her tough no-nonsense husband, a shy school baseball-playing teen and the cheerleader who fancies him and two elderly sisters.
With an obligatory arsehole character you'll long to see get their comeuppance thrown in for good measure, Train to Busan has all the ingredients for a classic horror scenario. One it delivers in considerable style.

A visceral and intense ride, at two hours its a little overlong perhaps, but remains essential viewing nonetheless.

[dovetail]

Watched this last night at Picturehouse Central. Agree with your comments. For me, it's the best film I've seen this year. It's a shame it's not being shown at more cinemas.

[Flabber]

A brilliant film and that fact that its a debut makes it all the more interesting.

A captivating journey where you really become one with the characters and hoping that they make it to safety.

Spoiler

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...except for the nasty businessman who got what he deserved!

Essential viewing for those that enjoy the horror genre and a worthy look for those that don't.
Another one that I would highly recommend.

9/10