Review: The Girl on the Train


Is The Girl on the Train all hype?

Does The Girl on the Train measure up to the hype or would your money be better served buying a train ticket as far away from the nearest screening as possible? The story focuses on the key characters surrounding a local woman’s disappearance as they and the viewer try to solve the mystery.

As “the girl on the train”, Rachel (Emily Blunt), spends her mornings and evenings commuting past the home of Megan (Haley Bennett), she catches herself daydreaming of the idyllic life that Megan seems to live. Yet one day, Rachel finds herself tossed into the center of the mystery of Megan’s disappearance. The story centers on Rachel’s difficulty remembering the events on the night of Megan’s disappearance as she tries to piece together a coherent story.

Although the trailer makes it seem like a fast-paced thriller, this movie is nowhere near the sort. At a few points I did feel it dragged especially considering my expectations. I also expected a lot more focus on the media and the criminal investigation. In reality, the movie was more concerned about the personal struggles of our leads. That’s certainly not to say there wasn’t mystery, but just that the mystery came more from our characters understanding themselves and the events they get caught in.

That said, I think the movie was all the better for it. The whole movie made me feel like a passenger on a train watching these events unfold one by one as if I was watching from the car’s windows. Each piece is slowly added to the puzzle, only serving to further muddle the mystery. The way the movie plays with our expectations is phenomenal. Just as you suspect we’re nearing the truth or that the audience has figured everything out, they add one more piece that completely changes the direction. As the movie serves you each piece, it leaves you wanting more. You want to know what happened and you want to know it NOW. So by the time of the big reveal, it truly feels like you earned it.

One of my favorite aspects of the movie was the big reveal. And what more could we ask for with a mystery!? It’s all about the big reveal! The scene where they finally reveal key parts of the story was itself very well done. But most importantly, I felt like the reveal was not a ham-fisted attempt at a huge “twist”. It served a purpose and it tied into our leads and their struggles masterfully. It had a purpose and it helped complete our characters’ journeys.

Overall, I have to say I loved this film. I left the theater excited and I ran home and to work blabbing on about how everyone needs to see this movie ASAP – because I need more people to talk to about it! So what are you waiting for!? Catch the next train and get your butt in the theater!

4.5 out of 5

What would I have changed? (Spoilers)
Click here to read what I would Change

Johnny Johnny (Senior Contributor) was born and raised in San Diego. He's been a fan of films the majority of his life. He enjoys the feeling it invokes and the power it has to take you to another place.
Click Here to check out Johnny's other Articles.

Comments

Daniel said…
Great review. I've read the book and want to see how faithful an adaptation the movie is of the book
Awilda Luciano said…
Amc downtown Disney buena vista, fl. I want to see this soon
Awilda Luciano said…
The book is excellent
Jorge Acevedo Jr. said…
Found the beginning and middle a little slow but the ending made up for it
Luis Guillermo Cruz said…
I yet still have the chance to see it. But i have heard good reviews from it
Marie said…
Book was great! Going to see the movie next week.
Gail Smothers said…
I saw Girl on the Train. I did not read the book. Although I like psychological thrillers, this one did not do it for me.It did not keep my interest. Sorry!
Awilda Luciano said…
My girl want to see and read a book to
Thomas Billingsley said…
I liked your review. The trailer did make it seem like a fast-paced thriller. I thought it was slow paced and had some dragged out moments. Keep the reviews coming. Great job!
Arlene Salgado said…
Looking forward to watch the movie saw8 the trailer and it looks very interesting and intense. I love to watch thriller and suspense movies.
Tyler Durden said…
I wasn't too impressed honestly.
Nicole McNeely said…
I enjoyed reading your synopsis of the film. I agree that I wasn't sure what to expect from the movie and thought the previews made it look much better. I was afraid it was too reminiscent of Gone Girl. However, I LOVED the huge twist at the end. The reveal of what really happened to the victim and to the main star was just incredible! I am still a HUGE fan of Emily Blunt and I thought she was phenomenal as The Girl On The Train! I really enjoyed the movie.
Sulema Flores said…
Enjoyed reading the book and will see the movie once released
0Tuar0 said…
Thanks for the heads up. I thought this was straight up murder mystery.
Ming Kwong said…
Girl on the train very exciting movie. Keeping at the edge of my seat
sdlook9 said…
Loved this movie too, highly recommend it.
Michelle said…
Can't wait to see tomorrow yay
Diane Tillman said…
Spot on. Saw it last night.
pearldj said…
it was pretty good but they could have had a few less showing of the train and the tunnel and maybe less flash backs as we got it the first time
canadianflag2 said…
Haven't seen it yet but this review makes me feel more eager to pursue it.
slimjohn said…
Can't wait to see this
Demetria Ball said…
I want to see this movie.
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