Bullet Train Explosion review: Spiritual sequel that combines heart and heat

India Today

26-04-2025

Strangers board a train—different faces, different backgrounds, different priorities. For a brief moment in time, they are united by a shared goal: to reach their destination. But what happens when that journey is hijacked—literally—and every second becomes a fight for survival? Who rises? Who leads? Who becomes a hero?At first glance, this might sound like the premise of a typical hostage thriller. You may even recall 1975's The Bullet Train, the Japanese classic that inspired India's The Burning Train featuring Dharmendra, Jitendra and Vinod Khanna among others. But Bullet Train Explosion, now streaming on Netflix, is no mere remake. Directed by Shinji Higuchi (Shin Godzilla), this is a spiritual successor that reimagines the genre with restraint, humanity, and tension as sharp as a switchblade.advertisementWatch the trailer of Bullet Train Explosion here:
Rather than focusing solely on the perpetrator's motive—as the original did, steeped in socio-economic despair—this iteration shifts the lens to those on board. It's a powerful, pulse-pounding tribute to Japan's everyday heroes: the railway technicians, engineers, and staff who bear the enormous responsibility of passenger safety without ever seeking the spotlight.The premise remains simple yet suffocating: the Hayabusa No. 60 Shinkansen has been rigged with a bomb that will detonate if its speed drops below 100 km/h. There are no martial arts showdowns la Kill, and very little action in the conventional sense. Yet the film grips you tightly, driven by the claustrophobic intensity inside the train and the relentless ticking of time.Higuchi's camera mimics the rhythm of the train itself—restless, urgent, and always moving. Long takes within tight carriages and sweeping shots of serene countryside create a haunting juxtaposition: the chaos within versus the calmness outside.advertisementThe production design, executed in collaboration with the East Japan Railway Company, deserves special mention. It grounds the film in reality without ever veering into documentary territory, achieving that elusive blend of authenticity and cinematic storytelling.At the film's emotional core is Tsuyoshi Kusanagi as Kazuya Takaichi, a veteran Shinkansen official whose quiet dedication anchors the entire narrative. There's no bravado in his portrayal—just steadfast professionalism, silent resolve, and a deeply felt sense of duty. When disaster looms, he doesn't panic. He calculates. He leads. He cares. Kusanagi's performance is wonderfully restrained and profoundly human—every glance and exhale calibrated to communicate urgency without theatrics.Hana Toyoshima stands out as the troubled teenager Yuzuki Onodera, whose character serves as a thematic bridge to the original Bullet Train. Her arc adds emotional depth without derailing the narrative's momentum.The screenplay, while occasionally meandering, quickly regains its rhythm and never loses the sense of impending doom. There's no need for bombastic monologues or overdone sentimentality—the film's emotional power comes from its subtlety. The stakes are crystal clear, and the audience feels them viscerally.However, what creates the bumps in the smooth ride is the VFX, that needed to be better for a seamless look. It looks like animation on budget, and to be fair, it looked jarring.advertisementBullet Train Explosion isn't just a high-speed thriller—it's a film about integrity, duty, and the resilience of ordinary people under extraordinary pressure. The tension is meticulous, the emotions are genuine, and the story honours the unsung guardians of public safety.Watch this one not just for the thrill, but for the quiet courage it celebrates.3.5 out of 5 stars.