Bullet Train

David Leitch’s Bullet Train is an adrenaline-fueled action comedy that propels audiences into a neon-lit rollercoaster of assassins, revenge, and pure cinematic mayhem. Based on Kōtarō Isaka’s Japanese novel Maria Beetle, the film takes place almost entirely aboard a sleek, high-speed Shinkansen bullet train hurtling from Tokyo to Kyoto — but the real journey is the one through overlapping storylines, eccentric characters, and twist-laden carnage.

Plot Summary

Brad Pitt stars as Ladybug, an unlucky but oddly philosophical hitman assigned a supposedly simple job: retrieve a briefcase and get off the train. Of course, nothing is ever that easy. He soon discovers he’s not the only assassin onboard — far from it.

Among the killers with their own motives and backstories are:

• Tangerine and Lemon (Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Brian Tyree Henry), British “twin” assassins with a hilarious Thomas the Tank Engine obsession,

• The Prince (Joey King), a deceptively innocent-looking girl with a sinister agenda,

• Yuichi Kimura (Andrew Koji), a desperate father seeking vengeance,

• And The Elder (Hiroyuki Sanada), whose calm presence hides a storm of revenge.

As these characters clash, the plot spirals into a chaotic web of betrayal, fate, and brutal humor — all confined to the train’s carriages.

Style & Direction

Leitch, known for John Wick and Deadpool 2, delivers action with stylish flair. Each fight is choreographed with brutal creativity, using everything from seat trays to water bottles as weapons. The visuals are hyper-stylized — slick lighting, kinetic camera work, and a pulsing soundtrack that mixes Japanese pop with ironic Western hits like “Stayin’ Alive” — all combine to create a comic-book-meets-anime vibe.

Flashbacks are used liberally, adding both depth and absurdity to the characters’ motivations. The editing is snappy and often tongue-in-cheek, with title cards and comedic cuts that remind you this isn’t just a thriller — it’s a satire on the hitman genre itself.

Performance Highlights

Brad Pitt brings a refreshing comedic tone to Ladybug, blending world-weariness with zen-like introspection. His bad luck becomes a running joke — bullets miss him by inches, fights end in unexpected accidents, and yet he somehow stumbles forward, questioning the nature of fate at every stop.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Brian Tyree Henry arguably steal the show as Tangerine and Lemon, whose chemistry and banter bring heart and humor to the chaos. Joey King’s performance as The Prince is chilling, balancing innocence with sociopathic manipulation. Sanada’s gravitas adds emotional weight, especially in the film’s final act.

Themes

Beyond the blood and jokes, Bullet Train explores fate, karma, and the randomness of life. The recurring motif of “everything happens for a reason” plays out across multiple arcs, suggesting that while the characters try to control their destiny, they’re all just passengers on a train headed toward something bigger — and deadlier — than they expect.

Final Verdict

Bullet Train is not a traditional thriller. It’s a genre mashup: part action flick, part dark comedy, part philosophical farce. While its pacing may feel chaotic and its plot overstuffed at times, the ride is undeniably fun.

Stylish, violent, and surprisingly thoughtful under all its blood-splattered absurdity, Bullet Train is a wild ride that never lets up.