Spoiler Warning: Bullet Train
If one can pardon the pun,Bullet Trainis a wild ride. The entire film, based onKōtarō Isaka’s novelMariaBeetle(translated intoBullet Train), takes place during a single high-speed train ride from Tokyo to Koyoto. A semi-retired assassin with the codenameLadybug(Brad Pitt) is hired for a task that, on its surface, seems relatively simple: collecting a briefcase. However, Ladybug’s assignment is quickly revealed to be anything but straightforward. The train is so full of assassins that it seems fit to burst (which, ultimately, it does). Each killer has a complex set of motivations, and the twisted relationship web of these cold-blooded killers is equally involved.
The film boasts a talented cast, makingBullet Trainone of the most star-studded films released in 2022. Pitt is only the tip of the iceberg. Sandra Bullock portrays Maria Beetle, a character named after the original novel, Ladybug’s handler. Ladybug is only tasked with retrieving the briefcase because one of his fellow assassins, Carver (a surprising and hilarious by Ryan Reynolds), is out sick. As each new assassin in the film is revealed, another all-star actor appears on the screen. Though, on its surface, the film seems as if it will be a relatively simple, self-contained action flick, it turns out to be a convoluted, character-driven epic.
Here is why these assassins are the best inBullet Train.
Joey King’s The Prince Is Out for Family Blood
Joey King’s early career saw the actress starring in lighthearted family fare. She first gained notoriety for her performance as Ramona Quimby in 2010’sRamona and Beezus, and she later starred inThe Kissing Booth.The latter is a Netflix original romantic comedy that later got several sequels. However, in recent years, King has taken on more serious roles and has begun to change her public perception.
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InBullet Train,King portrays The Prince, a bloodthirsty assassin disguised as a British schoolgirl. From the beginning, it is clear that The Prince, even among the myriad killers in the film, is a particularly malicious villain. She pushes a young child off of a building so she can hold him hostage in a hospital to force another assassin, the child’s father, to rig the film’s central briefcase with explosives. She is a master of manipulation, constantly pitting assassins against each other and bringing about several deaths. Later, it is revealed that The Prince is the daughter of White Death, the head of a massive crime syndicate and that she fully intends to kill her own father.
Brian Tyree Henry’s Lemon Brings the Hilarity
Brian Tyree Henry has exploded onto the scene in recent years, and for a good reason. He has both comedic and dramatic chops and has a knack for making his characters incredibly likable.
InBullet Train,Brian Tyree Henry is Lemon, a British assassin who, along with his brother, Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Tangerine, is tasked with delivering the briefcase, which contains a ten million dollar ransom, to the White Death.
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The citrus-codenamed brothers quickly become heavily involved in the convoluted battle on the bullet train and provide a lot of levity to the already hilarious flick. One of the funniest recurring jokes in the film is Lemon’s obsession with the children’s showThomas the Tank Engine,which culminates when the character delivers an incredibly heartfelt monologue about how the lessons from the series are relevant to the violent clash currently playing out on the train.
Micheal Shannon’s White Death is a Ruthless Ringleader
Michael Shannon might be one of the most intimidating actors working today. He has a signature scowl and a shark-like squint, which, coupled with his low-register voice, make him an incredibly convincing villain.
Shannon’s characterinBullet Train, White Death, is revealed to be the puppet master behind much of the film’s plot. He arranged the briefcase transfer and placed all the assassins aboard the train so that they would kill each other and his son, who is also on the train. White Death is perfectly comfortable killing both his son and daughter, which makes him a truly terrifying assassin.
Bullet Trainhasreceived a lot of praisesince its release. Unless a viewer had read the original novel prior to attending the film, its plot was full of surprises. However, perhaps the most surprising element of the film was how well the disparate cast worked together. The film’s seemingly endless stream of assassins never ceased to amuse audiences. Often, a movie with as many stars as this would rest on its celebrity name value and deliver an inferior viewing experience.Bullet Trainbucks this trend, and the many excellent performers only serve to complement one another.
