All my family and friends know how much I love zombie movies. My favorite show of all time is “The Walking Dead”. And let's not forget underrated gems like “Overlord”. But one movie that ranks high on that list is “Train to Busan,” which leaves Prime Video on December 30, 2024.

“Train to Busan” is the perfect apocalyptic thriller (I'm not the only one who thinks so, considering it's at 95% on Rotten Tomatoes). It has everything you need for a tense experience: a diverse cast of characters, a chaotic and terrifying outbreak, and a protagonist you can't help but root for. But what makes this film stand out is its heart. Unlike most zombie films, the action takes place on a train, and at its core is a touching story of a father and daughter.

However, it is an emotional film, and no matter how many times I watch it, it never fails to tug at my heartstrings. This is what sets it apart from boring zombie movies like “Army of the Dead” and “Dead Men Don't Cry” (which is trending on Netflix for some reason).

So if you're a fan of “28 Days Later” and are counting down the days until the release of “28 Years Later” next year, this is the movie to make you wait...before it disappears from streaming services at the end of December, “Train to Busan” should be on your Prime Here's why you should add “Train to Busan” to your Prime Video watch list before it disappears from the streaming service at the end of December.

“Train to Busan” is a Korean apocalyptic thriller about passengers trapped on a high-speed train after a deadly zombie outbreak. The story begins when workaholic father Seok-woo (Gong Yoo) reluctantly takes his young daughter Soo-an (Kim Soo-an) to visit her mother in Busan for her birthday. As the train departs, an infected woman sneaks in, setting off a terrifying chain reaction.

The survivors, including Seok-woo and Soo-an, must work together to get through the chaos. They team up with another group of passengers, including Sang-hwa (Ma Dong-seok), a tough, selfless man traveling with his pregnant wife; Yong-gu (Choi Woo-shik), a high school ball player, and his girlfriend Jin-hee (Ahn So-hee); and Yeong-sook (Kim Ui-seong), a selfish businessman who values his survival above all else.

“Train to Busan” is a standout apocalyptic thriller with plenty of thrills and shocking scenes, but that is not its strongest point. Director Yong Sang-ho does an excellent job of focusing on the emotional core, which sets it apart from other zombie films. At the center of the chaos is Seok-woo and his young daughter Soo-an, and their relationship brings depth and emotion to an otherwise ordinary zombie drama.

The film opens with Seok-woo being a flawed father. He is distant, overworked, and struggles to connect with Soo-an. Their strained bond makes the film an emotional journey and makes the zombie attacks all the more harrowing. From the first viewing, I knew the film would take me on every emotional journey imaginable. Seok-woo and Soo-an shift the focus not only on the zombies, but also on the people they are fighting to live with, and make us think deeply about their fate.

It is not just these two characters that anchor the film. Ma Dong-seok and his pregnant wife Sung-kyung add additional emotional weight as a loving couple caught up in the chaos of the outbreak. The characters in this film feel and act like real people one might encounter on a train. These include a high school student who has a crush on another, and a high school student who makes impulsive decisions out of fear.

Certainly, the strong cast of characters is a major draw, but the relentless action and copious amounts of fake blood are more than enough to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Most of the chaos takes place on a galloping train, and this claustrophobic and highly dangerous setting builds tension and keeps you sweating. The film does not delve too deeply into the origins of the virus, but it does foretell a sinister backstory involving a deadly artificial mutagen created by a biotech company (a setup reminiscent of the human folly seen in “28 Days Later”)

Now, don't expect blockbuster-level special effects in “Train to Busan” special effects on a blockbuster level. The visuals may not always hit the mark, with shots of the speeding train and the swarms of infected people looking a bit crude. But honestly, when the story and characters are this good, you don't need to worry. The film's emotion and believable characters easily overshadow the minor inconveniences of CGI. You'll probably be too busy wiping away tears and sweat to even notice.

Here's your chance to stream “Train to Busan” on Prime Video before its December 30, 2024 release.

Like “28 Days Later,” “Train to Busan” takes the zombie genre to new heights with its relentless tension, claustrophobic setting, and genuinely interesting characters. Whether you are a fan of apocalyptic thrillers or a fan looking for a story full of action and fake blood, “Train to Busan” deserves to be on your watch list.

Not only that, but this post-apocalyptic thriller scored 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and deserves every percentage, says Nerdist's Kristy Puchko: “Train to Busan ‘is like Snakes on a Plane ’plus” 28 Days Later.” It's an intense, intimate thrill ride. Meanwhile, Rebecca Hawkes of the Daily Telegraph sums up my thoughts perfectly: “Characters you can't help but care about. Check. Powered-up social commentary. Double-check. Bloody, biting mayhem. Triple check. [RogerEbert's Brian Talerico also says: “In keeping with the work of George Romero and Danny Boyle, it offers something unique at a time when kindness to others seems more essential than ever.

In addition, “Train to Busan” is best viewed with the original Korean audio and subtitles. Watching it without the English dubbing allows the viewer to fully appreciate the cultural context and the subtle nuances of the dialogue.

Not feeling it. Check out the new shows coming out this week. If you're not in the Christmas mood yet, watch these Christmas movies on Prime Video.

Stream “Train to Busan” on Prime Video through December 30, 2024.