We’ve officially reached the halfway point of our 13 Nights of Halloween Horror marathon, and after a run of ghosts, slashers, and supernatural scares, it’s time to bring it back to the subgenre that kicked off our Halloween marathon: zombie horror. For Night 7, we’re pulling from Korean cinema with Train to Busan (2016).
Just like Night of the Living Dead, Train to Busan focuses less on the end of the world, and more on the people trying to survive it. Directed by Yeon Sang-ho, the film follows Seok-woo, a work-obsessed father traveling by train from Seoul to Busan with his young daughter. What begins as an ordinary trip quickly turns into a desparate fight for survival when a mysterious infection sweeps through the train, turning passengers into violent, fast-moving zombies.
The confined setting is one of the film’s greatest strengths. Unlike many zombie films that sprawl across entire cities or countries, Train to Busan traps its characters in narrow aisles, crowded train cars, and locked compartments. Every door becomes both a barrier and a gamble.
What really sets this film apart, however, is the focus on human relationships and emotional storytelling. At its heart, the film is about a father learning what truly matters. As the crisis unfolds, the characters are forced to decide whether they will help strangers, protect only themselves, or sacrifice for others. Time and again, the film reminds us that the most dangerous thing isn’t always the undead. Sometimes it’s fear, selfishness, and the willingness to leave others behind.
Whether you’re looking for a thrill or for some emotional devastation, Train to Busan will deliver it by the time it reaches its destination.
Train to Busan is available for members of the American University community to borrow on DVD from Bender Library or to stream online.
Come back tomorrow to see our pick for Night 8 of the 13 Nights of Halloween Horror.