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Train to Busan

I've already watched Train to Busan before, and I still think it holds up as a strong zombie movie! What I noticed more this time was the use of zombies to portray the experience of fatherhood/meeting standards of masculinity. It seems like Seok Yoo at the beginning is constantly worried about Su-An growing up to be a good adult, and also about him being a good enough father, which he aims to achieve through his own personal sacrifices at work. As the movie goes on, this fear of not being a good enough father, or not being there for Su-an, is only amplified when a zombie apocalypse hits and the stakes are raised even higher.

Sang-Hwa's line about how father figures sacrifice so much, but never gets appreciation or credit also stuck out to me. It seems like there are 3 ways of being a father figure/masculine figure in this movie, from the extremely strong, attentive and confrontational Sang-Hwa, to the hardworking, absent and caring Seok Yoo, to even the executive Yong-suk's and his oppressive, controlling presence.

It makes me wonder if the director chose to portray so many versions of masculinity, to say to the men in the audience, that caring about others more than yourself is what matters most. Not to cover up their absence with meaningless gifts (Su-An's two Wiis), not to put others in danger just to save yourself (Yong-suk locking everyone out & saying that Seok Yoo was infected), but to work alongside others and make sacrifices that actually benefit everyone. Furthermore, that men don't always have to put up an emotional wall--since putting up these walls and exerting control over others may seem like the efficient, rational choice, but will only prolong the suffering of everyone involved (ex: Seok Yoo always leaving Su-An to take calls alone, and never explaining anything to her or showing her emotion till the end). Most of these sacrifices are to protect women or children with little agency unfortunately, which adds to why I think the target audience is men.

In this way, I believe horror in Train to Busan may be used to challenge the thought processes and actions of archetypal men in stressful situations, whether it's as big as a zombie apocalypse or as personal as a divorce or raising a child. I think this could definitely branch out to a critique of systems of power as well, especially in how any form of government aid/military forces were largely absent, quick to judge who gets to live or die, and have likely hurt many innocent people for the sake of protecting themselves (ex: the military forces at the end, who almost kill Su-An and Sung-Gyeong).

in the end i still like this movie but i wish the female characters had more to them, and that they allowed characters in minority groups (ex: the homeless man) have more time to develop their character and shine beyond simply moving the plot forwards :(

thank you for reading lyjilings