On paper, this movie is a slam-dunk. A bunch of people on a train when all hell breaks loose.
This could have been Indonesia’s version of Train To Busan.
Train horror movies are some of my favourite types of horror flicks. I love the idea of getting on a long-distance train and getting somewhere new, but in the back of my mind I always wonder how I would react if something like a zombie outbreak or a rat infestation occurred while I was stuck inside a tin can coffin.
After seeing the trailer for this film, I was really hoping I could add this title to my rotation of train horror movies, but unfortunately this one fails to reach the platform when it comes to fun, excitement and terror.
PLOT
A newly opened train line is taking inaugural seven-hour trip to an idyllic mountainside resort complex. On board this train are two sisters, a woman looking for her husband, the manager of the project, his boss, a series of investors and handful of train staff, as well as about 100 other passengers.
The trip to the resort weaves through an ancient forest and through five tunnels. But each time the train enters a tunnel, it exits with one less carriage.
As the train loses carriages, the survivors realise there is a vengeful spirit on board and then need to work out how to stop it before they reach their destination.
ABOUT THE FILM
So, there is no zombie outbreak, hence it’s definitely not like the Train To Busan even though there will the usual comparisons. What this is instead is a typical Indonesian supernatural film, however this title doesn’t seem to be based on any real urban legend.
Although I could be wrong!
This movie has a very strong environmental message. It starts with a large tree being cut down and a local spirit medium warning the project manager to stop what they’re doing or face the wrath of the forest spirits.
And this is the first part of the movie that makes no sense. Why does the forest spirit allow them to finish construction of the train line and the decide to start its murder spree the first time the train is taking innocent passengers?
There is mention of missing workers which leads to the inclusion of one of the characters, but considering what happens at the end of the film, it makes no sense that the forest spirit allowed the construction to complete.
Speaking of the ending, I did enjoy it. It was certainly out of left field and really emphasized the movies messages of “mother nature takes back everything that was her, and won’t let anyone get in her way”. That was kind of cool.
What’s not cool is the 1990’s immersion breaking CGI used all throughout the film. Sweeping shots of the train exterior look flat, while the digitally enhanced tunnels look out of place. But they’re not a bad as the tree-growing effects which look like something out of a 90’s video game.
On top of that, everything else feels flat in the film. It takes a long time for people to notice the missing carriages, the fight in the VIP section is just plain silly – as if grown men can’t over-power a cancer-stricken woman – and the main spirit’s killing ability is weak compared to her cohorts.
But the film is super gory, and there are a lot of head explosions if you like that sort of thing. It just doesn’t make sense why most of the people get killed, they had nothing to do with the destruction of the forest.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
This film was unfortunate let down! Considering the director of the film is one my favourite Indonesian filmmakers, who directed my favourite Indonesian horror film in Kuntilanak, I was hoping he would do a much better job.
Using my patent pending GHOST rating, which stands for Great Horror or Stupid Trash, this movie only gets 2 ghosts. A real disappointment in its logic and effects, that’s really only saved by some interesting characters and gory kills.
But as always, what did you think of it?
Genre Horror Thriller
Director Rizal Mantovani
Starring Hana Malasan, Yama Carlos, Putri Ayudya, Kiki Narendra, Zara Leola
Original Title Kereta Berdarah
Alternative Title N/A
Country of Origin Indonesia
Release Date 1 February 2024
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