Train to Busan Lands on Netflix: A Zombie Thriller You Can’t Miss!

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As a big fan, I can’t help but share my excitement about the Korean horror masterpiece, “Train to Busan,” now available on Netflix. This movie, boasting a remarkable 95% score in the Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes, is an Asian horror import that has been added to Netflix’s library since February 11. If you’re a zombie enthusiast like me, you won’t want to miss out on this opportunity to watch one of the finest zombie movies ever created – and if you still need convincing, just take Stephen King’s word for it!

In the movie “Train to Busan” by Yeon Sang-ho, the characters Seok-woo and Su-an are a father-daughter pair who embark on an express train journey from Seoul, with the intent of fulfilling Su-an’s birthday wish to meet her mother in Busan. However, their journey takes a terrifying turn when a contagious woman transforms into a zombie and starts attacking train staff members, triggering a rapid spread of the infection among the packed train passengers. As per the film’s synopsis:

In the thrilling survival tale, “Train to Busan,” a divorced man named Seok-woo embarks on a journey with his daughter Su-an, traveling by train to see her mother in Busan. As the train departs, an unusual virus rapidly infects passengers, causing them to become zombies. The question remains: will father and daughter survive this harrowing ordeal? This gripping film is director Yeon Sang-ho’s debut feature, captivating audiences with his unique animation style, which garnered praise at Cannes.

The South Korean film “Train to Busan” was widely appreciated by audiences not only in Asia but also abroad. It grossed close to $100 million, demonstrating that the horror subgenre, often criticized as repetitive and stale, still held some appeal for viewers. Starring Gong Yoo, who is also known for his role in “Squid Game,” “Train to Busan” offered a refreshing take on the commonly used plot of people confined in limited spaces with zombies. Instead of a traditional setting, this film features a speeding train, creating an intense sense of claustrophobia that is characteristic of the storyline. However, what sets “Train to Busan” apart from many modern zombie movies is its richly developed and captivating characters.

A fan of the movie was none other than renowned horror author and regular film commentator, Stephen King. Given his taste, it comes as no surprise that he expressed his views on the film, showering it with praise without any reservations. You can read his thoughts about the movie in the section below.

Despite its use of common zombie motifs which might not appeal to all viewers, Train to Busan functions effectively as an engaging action film. It never allows a moment’s respite throughout its 118-minute duration. Even in the climactic scenes when you think the ride is nearly over, this horror movie offers one of the most emotionally impactful conclusions in horror cinema history. Be warned, the ending might take you by surprise.

Why Not Make It a Double Feature Night?

In the uncommon instances when something special comes to the Netflix streaming service, which is usually turbulent and ever-changing like a rocky sea, you won’t stumble upon ‘Train to Busan’ by chance. To complement your viewing experience, ‘Peninsula’, the 2020 standalone sequel to this contemporary zombie masterpiece, has been included in Netflix’s library. For those eager to fully grasp the story, the mature-rated animated series, ‘Seoul Station’, which delves deeper into the origins of the zombie outbreak, is available for free streaming on Tubi.

Adding “Train to Busan” to Netflix is one of their efforts in February to update their collection. Other titles joining Netflix include the Academy Award-winning Korean movie “Parasite”, the original 1996 release of “Space Jam”, and the biopic “Spencer”, as well as others. In the horror genre, viewers can look forward to streaming “It” from 2017, the Maika Monroe horror thriller “Watcher”, and the underappreciated “Cult of Chucky”.

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2025-02-11 19:04