Peninsula Movie Review - Fairly Thrilling Zombie Engagement

“Train to Busan” was definitely an impressive, much tighter and far more invigorating zombie thriller but even in comparison, this one doesn’t quite fade into insignificance. In terms of influences, Peninsula is far more hybrid and therefore doesn’t feel as cohesive or taut as Sang-ho’s earlier effort.

The storyline is nothing more than a rehash of old themes and ideas borrowed from other notable post-apocalypse themed franchises. Jung-seok (Gang Dong-won) is en route to leaving South Korea with his family but as they are fleeing the mainland, a young family with a child begging for help, but Jung-Seok is not willing to take the chance and put his own family at risk. The narrative eventually plays out in a manner that questions that decision. It’s a morality play that exposes individual choices and it’s repercussions, showcasing human frailties with compassion and empathy despite the blood-chilling extravagance of death and destruction that ensues here.