Bullet Train (2022) is an action-packed
comedy-thriller film directed by David Leitch and based on Kōtarō Isaka's novel
Maria Beetle. The movie follows an ensemble cast of quirky assassins,
each with their own objectives, converging on a high-speed train in Japan. The
story is filled with twists, dark humor, and high-octane action sequences.
Plot Summary
Introduction: A Mission for Ladybug
The story
begins with a skilled but unlucky assassin code-named Ladybug (played by Brad
Pitt). Ladybug is assigned a seemingly simple task: retrieve a briefcase aboard
a bullet train heading from Tokyo to Kyoto. Guided remotely by his handler,
Maria Beetle (Sandra Bullock), Ladybug attempts to complete the mission
peacefully, hoping to leave behind his chaotic past.
The Assassins Aboard
However,
Ladybug soon discovers the train is brimming with dangerous individuals, each
connected to the briefcase in some way:
- Tangerine and Lemon: A pair of colorful British
assassins (Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Brian Tyree Henry) are transporting
both the briefcase and the son of a feared crime lord known as the White
Death.
- The Wolf: A vengeful assassin from
Mexico (Bad Bunny), whose entire cartel was poisoned at his wedding,
believes Ladybug is responsible.
- The Prince: A manipulative young woman
(Joey King) who poses as an innocent schoolgirl but has a deadly agenda
involving the White Death.
- The Hornet: A skilled assassin (Zazie
Beetz) who specializes in poison and has her sights set on the briefcase.
Each of
these characters has their own backstory and reasons for being aboard the
train, creating a tangled web of motivations.
The Chaos Unfolds
As the train
hurtles toward Kyoto, Ladybug becomes entangled in a series of violent
encounters. His desire to avoid unnecessary bloodshed clashes with the mayhem
caused by the other assassins. The briefcase changes hands multiple times,
leading to unexpected alliances and betrayals.
Ladybug
discovers that many of the assassins’ missions have been orchestrated by the
White Death, a mysterious and powerful figure seeking revenge. The assassins
are pawns in a larger game, their objectives carefully manipulated to converge
on the train.
Revealing the Mastermind
The White
Death is revealed to be a ruthless former Yakuza leader who rose to power by
overthrowing his enemies. He orchestrated the events on the train to gather the
individuals responsible for his family's suffering, intending to eliminate them
in one fell swoop.
As the train
approaches its final destination, the assassins are forced to confront the
truth about their involvement in the White Death’s master plan. Ladybug, using
his wits and a bit of luck, becomes an unlikely hero amid the chaos.
Climactic Showdown
In a
thrilling finale, the train careens out of control, and Ladybug, along with the
surviving assassins, faces off against the White Death and his army. Explosive
action, dark humor, and unexpected twists keep the audience on edge.
Ladybug’s bad luck ultimately becomes his greatest asset, allowing him to outsmart the White Death. The film ends with a mix of resolution and humor as Ladybug reflects on the absurdity of his adventure.
