Train To Busan: First class chills
This horror debut of South Korean director Yeon Sang-Ho, is in stiff competition with the Thais who, arguably, make the best flicks in the genre this side of Asia.
The setting of “Train to Busan” is, no prizes for guessing, a super-fast intercity locomotive amid an infestation of ghouls. Threatened by the zombie outbreak are a bunch of conflicted characters you will care about.
Divorced businessman Seok-woo (Yoo Gong) is returning his daughter Su-an (Su-an) to his ex wife in Busan. As they board the sleek bullet train at Seoul, there comes breaking news of riots erupting across the land. The train departs as martial law is declared.
As it turns out, this isn’t "regular" rioting but a viral outbreak of zombies. Now, an infected young person is on board the train, posing a risk to the other passengers (that is, biting others). The tension is palpable as the zombies go on a rampage through the train.
Tellingly, the German philosopher Hannah Arendt's observation about the "banality of evil" following her coverage of the Eichmann trial at Nuremberg, is evoked when a worker from the off screen 'biotech incident' says, Eichmann-like, "we only do what we are told to".
Co-scripted by Sang Ho with Joo-Suk Park, the cleverly shot film delves into relationships across the spectrum: familial, class; to show viewers, human behaviour in extreme conditions.
Much in the manner of immigrants/refugees in EU camps, the commuters fight among themselves as they struggle to flee: Gnash your teeth, even laugh at times, but hold on to the edge of your seat: Train to Busan is a scare fest.