When I was younger, my friends with kids would share stories about how they could not watch movies where children were in peril. I never really understood, but went along with it like I was ordering for someone with fake food allergies.

Fast forward a lifetime and I sit down to watch Train to Busan while my own toddler is sleeping for the night. Suddenly, every conversation I had all those years ago makes perfect sense.

Train to Busan is a zombie movie out of South Korea. Think the fast zombies from 28 Days Later vs Romero’s slow movers. A father and daughter are headed by train to Busan to visit the girl’s mother. You can guess how a train ride through the Korean countryside goes during the zombie apocalypse.

Train to Busan is hailed as one of the greatest zombie movies of all time. The father/daughter relationship is well crafted and the performances are perfect, even when subtitled. There’s plenty of action, but it’s one of the rare zombie movies that focuses on the emotions of what is taking place. Heart instead of braaaiiiinss.

Definitely give this a watch, and then hug your kids afterwards.

Grade: A