Podcast Summary: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present
Episode: Deep Cuts Horror Hit List #2 “Train To Busan”
Date: October 31, 2025
Hosts: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes
Episode Overview
In the lead-up to Halloween, Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes continue their “Halloween Horror Hit List” with their #2 pick: the South Korean zombie sensation Train to Busan. In this episode, they explore why this film transcends the typical zombie flick, blending high-octane horror with emotional depth and complex characters. The hosts share their personal experiences, discuss the film’s impact, critical reception, and offer viewing tips—all while gushing about how this unique entry in the zombie genre has left them both wiping away tears.
Main Discussion Points & Insights
Why "Train to Busan" Stands Out
-
Emotionally Charged Horror:
- Both hosts stress that this is a zombie movie that guarantees tears, not just scares.
- T.J.: “I am guaranteeing you will be crying in this movie. I don’t care who you are. There will be tears in your eyes in at least one and possibly two moments in this movie.” (03:54)
- Amy: “Once again, sobbing. Not just a few tears wiping away. I mean, just powerful, powerful acting, powerful storytelling. All set in a zombie apocalypse.” (04:20)
-
Foreign Language Barrier & Subtitles:
- The film is in Korean with subtitles; Amy notes this may have kept some U.S. viewers away, but stresses how worth it the experience is.
- Amy: “Now it’s on Netflix…I have been watching this movie for, I feel like almost a decade now since it came out.” (06:02)
- T.J. jokes about younger generations watching everything with subtitles and how he himself doesn’t like them but forgot about it during this film. (06:47-07:55)
- Amy: “Once you start watching this film…you forget you’re even reading it.” (07:37)
-
Plot & Characters:
- Synopsis: “A man, his estranged daughter and other passengers become trapped on a speeding train during a zombie outbreak in South Korea.” (05:30)
- The hosts agree this is “dumbing down” the complexity and emotional layers of the movie.
- Discussion of Gong Yoo (the lead actor, also recognizable as the recruiter in Squid Game) and the ensemble cast.
- Amy: “He’s the hedge fund manager who everyone loves to hate in the movie but ends up being a huge part of the heart.” (09:04)
- There is praise for the nuanced relationships and realistic character arcs.
- T.J.: “I cared so much about almost everybody I saw.” (11:37)
Critical & Audience Reception
-
Critical Acclaim:
- Rotten Tomatoes: 95% (critics), 89% (audience), with rare agreement between both groups.
- Amy: "Rotten Tomatoes…among the highest you will find." (09:04)
- Critics highlighted: “fully realized characters,” “plenty of social commentary,” and “skillfully staged action.” (10:54, 11:37)
- Amy: Reading critic consensus: “Train to Busan delivers a thrillingly unique and purely entertaining take on the zombie genre…” (10:54)
- T.J.: “I think sometimes in these apocalyptic movies they want to create…this forced, unnatural bond…not here. This is nuanced and it is real life. It’s not perfect. The relationships aren’t great.” (10:31)
-
Noteworthy Critic and Audience Quotes:
- "This should have been number one." – T.J. (14:36)
- “The hardest part of horror is to make the audience feel empathy. A good horror story only feels horrifying if you feel it’s being done to someone you care about. And that’s exactly what this movie does.” – Amy reading from a critic (14:44)
- “By far the most emotional and tear jerking zombie movie I have ever seen.” – Audience review (17:44)
- "The perfect zombie date drama. If you are not in tears…you need to call your doctor and have your meds checked." – Audience review (17:45)
-
Contrarian/Grouchy Reviews
- The hosts have fun with a negative audience review, noting the reviewer nitpicks minor plot points and misses the film’s emotional core.
- Amy: “The point is, when you read some of these bad reviews, recognize…they just don’t get it.” (19:29)
- T.J.: “…our only reaction to things is to be a contrarian or to be outraged. Why?” (20:12)
Emotional Power & Nuance
- The hosts return again and again to just how emotionally affecting the movie is.
- Amy: “I dare anyone to watch this film and not be moved at the end in ways you couldn’t expect.” (24:33)
- T.J.: “I am guaranteeing everybody, you will be in tears. I am guaranteeing. Go ahead, take it as a challenge. I don’t give a damn.” (25:51)
- Special mention of the young actress playing the daughter as a "scene stealer, heart stealer." (27:11)
- Acknowledgment that the movie doesn’t sugarcoat characters—everyone is flawed, everyone is relatable. (12:09–12:28)
Audience for the Movie
- Amy: “If you love to be invested in who lives, who dies, in the characters, and that’s your jam, this is your movie. Also, if you like action, if you like a thrilling horror movie…if you like intention and purpose…emotion provoking movies, this has all.” (26:03)
- T.J.: "If you're a rom com fan, that's really…the only element it doesn't have." (26:54)
- Clear warning about the level of violence and gore: “It is very violent. You have zombies attacking people and eating people, essentially.” (28:19)
Viewing Tips & Pairings
- Watch on Netflix—subtitles only.
- Amy: “Avoid anything like pizza or stew or anything…you wouldn’t want to eat while you’re…watching this.” (28:26)
- Suggestion: Korean food and beer, or just stick with popcorn.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On The Power of the Film and Subtitles:
- T.J. Holmes [04:46]: “You’re going to be crying. This movie is subtitled the entire time. It is not in English and the dubbing is not available. Or is it?”
- Amy Robach [07:37]: “Once you start watching this film…you forget you’re even reading it.”
-
Critical Praise:
- Amy Robach [09:04]: “The Rotten Tomatoes score among the highest you will find. 95%. That’s among the critics. The audience score not far below 89%. This is one where the two really agree with each other.”
- T.J. Holmes [11:37]: “I cared so much about almost everybody I saw. There’s even a whole thing having to do with a youth baseball team…Oh my God.”
-
On Emotional Resonance:
- T.J. Holmes [15:02]: “I’m trying to think about other movies and that whole premise. It’s happening to somebody you care about…That’s not always there for me in a lot of these movies.”
-
Defending the Film from Cynical Reviews:
- Amy Robach [18:19]: “And then you want to hear the bad audience review that I saw that I had to include because I knew it would evoke an emotion.”
- T.J. Holmes [19:29]: “I encourage all of you not to be that person. Don’t be that contrarian.”
-
Food Pairing Advice:
- Amy Robach [28:19]: “Avoid anything like pizza or stew or anything that just…You wouldn’t want to eat while you’re…watching this.”
Recommended Audience & Warnings
-
For:
- Horror fans who crave more than just gore
- Moviegoers who appreciate character-driven stories and emotional depth
- Fans of South Korean cinema or open to international films
- Anyone who loves heart and spectacle
-
Not For:
- Those entirely averse to reading subtitles (though T.J. was won over!)
- Sensitive viewers—graphic violence and some deeply emotional content may be triggering
- Die-hard romantic comedy purists
Where & How to Watch
- Available on Netflix (as of record date, subtitles only)
- Ideal with popcorn, or for an immersive experience, with Korean snacks and beer
Final Thoughts
Both Amy and T.J. make a passionate case that Train to Busan is perhaps the finest zombie movie ever made—transcending its genre thanks to nuanced storytelling, deep humanity, and a cast (especially the little girl) that resonates long after the credits roll.
T.J. [29:12]: “Maybe out of all the movies we have, this might be my number one recommendation. Even though it’s not number one, if there’s one you have to watch that is going to get everybody–that I don’t think is going to be controversial–like everybody is going to feel this movie.”
Be sure to tune in for their #1 pick—teased as a surprise for being less scary and gore-filled yet still worthy of Halloween night.