Film Review: Night Train (2023) – A Gritty, Atmospheric Crime Thriller with a Few Missed Stops
Night Train (2023), directed by Zhang Yi, is a Chinese neo-noir crime thriller that plunges viewers into the shadowy underbelly of a rain-soaked metropolis. With its moody cinematography, morally ambiguous characters, and a labyrinthine plot involving betrayal and redemption, the film delivers a gripping, if occasionally uneven, cinematic ride. While it stumbles in pacing and narrative clarity, its brooding atmosphere and strong performances make it a compelling watch for fans of hardboiled crime dramas.
Plot & Themes
The story follows Zhou Zheng (played by Zhang Yi himself), a world-weary taxi driver with a violent past, who becomes entangled in a deadly conspiracy after picking up a mysterious passenger—a blood-soaked woman (Li Qin) carrying a briefcase full of cash. As Zhou navigates the neon-lit streets, dodging corrupt cops, vengeful gangsters, and his own demons, the film unfolds as both a chase thriller and a character study.
Themes of guilt, fate, and the search for redemption run deep, echoing classics like Drive (2011) and Le Samouraï (1967). However, Night Train occasionally gets bogged down by convoluted subplots, diluting its emotional impact.
Performances & Direction
Zhang Yi delivers a magnetic lead performance, balancing stoic toughness with quiet vulnerability. His chemistry with Li Qin crackles, even when the script gives her character frustratingly little backstory. Supporting actors, particularly Wang Xiaoyi as a morally compromised detective, add depth to the film’s murky world.
Director Zhang Yi (not to be confused with the actor) crafts a visually stunning film—rain-slicked streets, chiaroscuro lighting, and long, tense silences heighten the noir atmosphere. However, his pacing falters in the second act, where excessive exposition slows momentum.
Strengths & Weaknesses
✔ Gorgeous cinematography – Every frame feels like a painting.
✔ Strong central performances – Zhang Yi and Li Qin elevate the material.
✔ Pulse-pounding action – A brutal, well-shot climactic shootout.
✖ Overstuffed plot – Too many secondary characters muddy the stakes.
✖ Uneven pacing – Drags in the middle before rushing the finale.
✖ Underdeveloped female lead – Li Qin’s character deserves more agency.
Final Verdict
Night Train isn’t a flawless ride, but its stylish direction, gripping tension, and Zhang Yi’s powerhouse performance make it worth the ticket. Fans of moody Asian crime films like The Wild Goose Lake (2019) or Drug War (2012) will find much to appreciate.
Rating: 3.5/5 – A visually striking, if narratively bumpy, neo-noir thriller.
For fans of: Drive, The Chaser, and John Wick’s grittier cousins.
