The Girl on the Train – two reviews in one and book giveaway
By Alexandra Heilbron on October 7, 2016 | 48 Comments
The Girl on the Train
is one of the most anticipated thrillers this year. Based on a bestselling novel by Paula Hawkins, the story follows an unhappy, divorced alcoholic named Rachel (Emily Blunt). Each day on her commute to and from New York, she watches a seemingly happy, very-in-love couple as she passes their home.
One day, when she spots the woman kissing another man, she becomes enraged, as it brings back memories of her own husband cheating on her. When the woman goes missing that very same night, Rachel becomes involved in the mystery.
Read on to see what our Senior Editor, Alexandra Heilbron, and Assistant Editor Marriska Fernandes, thought of The Girl on the Train.
AH: I read the book earlier this year, so I had an idea of what to expect. I know you were really looking forward to this, so what were you expecting from the movie?
MF: I haven’t read the book but I was very excited to see the movie after watching the trailer. Also, based on the great book reviews, it made me want to see the movie even more.
AH: Did it meet your expectations?
MF: I was a bit confused because there were so many characters involved. I liked all the puzzle pieces that eventually fit together. I just wish the movie was long enough to explore more of the characters’ back story. What did you think? Was the movie better than the book?
AH: The movie was quite a bit darker than the book. In the movie, all the men in these women’s lives seemed really uncaring and selfish, so it was a little depressing. The male characters were two-dimensional, so the actors didn’t get a chance to sink their teeth into their roles. The women, however, especially Emily Blunt and Haley Bennett, who plays Megan, the woman Rachel sees from the train, both gave incredible performances. They had the chance to show a lot of depth as actresses because their characters had so much going on.
MF: I agree. Emily Blunt and Haley Bennett were fantastic. Emily draws sympathy from the audience and keeps us hooked throughout the film. Haley was perfect as Megan, she was difficult to read but as the puzzle pieces fell together, it all made sense. However, the back and forth between the past and present of each character was confusing.
AH: That’s how it is in the book too, but in that case, it was fascinating because Megan goes missing towards the beginning, so when we would go back in time and the narrative would be from her viewpoint, I was excited because we were getting to see what had happened to her and what could have led to her going missing. What did you think of the twist at the end?
MF: I wasn’t expecting that twist but there were a few plot holes. I was expecting a bit more of a dramatic revelation.
AH: Right, I was kind of surprised when there were a couple of big reveals and each time, the audience laughed. What’s your verdict?
MF: I give the film 7.5 stars.
AH: I give it 7 stars.
We have three copies of The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins to give away. For a chance to win one, tell us in the comments below what is your favorite thriller — either book or movie.
If you have seen The Girl on the Train and would like to rate it/review it for yourself, click here.
Comments & Discussion
Similar Articles
Emma Mackey and Frances O’Connor talk about filming Emily
February 25, 2023 | Leave a Comment
Emily director Frances O’Connor and Emma Mackey, who plays Emily Brontë in the film, give a behind-the-scenes look not only into the film but into the lives of the Brontë family.
New movies in theaters – The 355 featuring an all star cast!
January 6, 2022 | Leave a Comment
The 355, an action/thriller starring Jessica Chastain, Penélope Cruz, Lupita Nyong’o, Bingbing Fan, Sebastian Stan and more opens in theaters this weekend.
Review – Jungle Cruise an adventure with heart and thrills
July 29, 2021 | Leave a Comment
Jungle Cruise starring Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson is an action film loosely based on the Disney theme park ride. Read our review of this fun film!
Favourite thriller is Gone Girl. The movie was so messed up and the perfect actors were cast for it, which made it so much more believable!
I would have to say Fatal Attraction. Incredible acting performances from Glenn Close and Michael Douglas.
My favourite thriller is the Da Vinci Code (the whole series actually).
Fatal Attraction
Psycho by Alfred Hitchcock. Although it is from a previous generation of thriller movies it still ranks as one of the best. The shower scene is remembered the most but there are others just as scary. For example, when the cop is walking up the stairs and is suddenly stabbed by Perkins. I almost wet myself at that one. Also, when they find the mummified body of Perkins’ mother. Real spooky. As the movie progressed it left one wondering what was coming around the next corner so one couldn’t totally relax. That is a sign of a good thriller. Perkins was great as the deranged son with a split personality.
My favourite thriller is ‘Unusual Suspects’ ..great twisted storyline
No Country for Old Men
Recently Gone Girl (only seen the movie) and for book definitely Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie.
Favourite movie thriller PSYCHO the original version ! Thank you !
It’s gotta be Misery!
Silence of the Lambs
The Sixth Sense was a great movie.
I’d love to win and read this book! My fave thriller is Seven.
The couple next door by shara lapena
FAV THRILLER MOVIE/BOOK-GONE GIRL by Gillian flynn!!!! amazing performances by ben affleck and rosamund pike
Rear Window is high on my list.
If I had to pick a favourite movie adapted from a book (that I have read) then Silence of the Lambs would be my favourite. Also David Fincher’s version of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (because I just read the book).
so many scary movies but Silence of the Lambs was pretty memorable until now in my mind!
I would have to say my favourite thriller is Alfred Hitchcock’s ROPE.
Probably Deliverance. So many to choose from
Some great pics listed here! Hey, Doug King: I completely agree with you on PSYCHO but go easy on the spoilers! There may be some younger folk here who haven’t seen the movie! And if there IS anyone here who hasn’t seen PSYCHO, drop what you’re doing and go watch the movie RIGHT NOW!
I think my favourite Thriller is Michael Jackson’s Music Video…….LOL I know you ment Movie……..My answer would have to the the Friday the 13th Ones.
My favourite is the Da Vinci Code.
My favourite thriller is Se7en. I felt as empty as Morgan Freeman’s character at the ending of that movie. It put David Fincher as a Director to watch on my movie list.
A lot of people here don’t know the difference between “thriller” and “horror”.
39 Steps by Alfred Hitchcock
My favorite thriller would be The Usual Suspects. The ending had such an amazing twist!
Basic Instinct. It is a sharp and eloquent story, peppered with flawed and mysterious characters, full of twists and reminiscent of Hitchcock’s works. The character of Catherine Tramell is revolutionary, particularly considering the era when the film was released. It is Tramell’s genius and strength that controls her sexuality, her desires and, ultimately, the narrative. Sharon Stone finds all of the character’s nuances, creating a perfect performance. The rainy atmosphere contributes to the ever present ominous feeling and the element of surprise. This is one of the best thrillers of the last few decades.
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.Book and Movie
My favourite thriller is The Firm by John Grisham. So good to read!
Favourite book thriller is The Ghosts of Belfast by Stuart Neville. Amazing read!
So many to choose from. For me its – Movie – Usual Suspects. Book – gone girl
The Handmaiden. I saw the movie at TIFF16 and it will blow your mind away. The development of characters, plot twists and the final ending are spot on!
Gone Girl. Book and movie.
Favourite is Fatal Attraction
Favourite thriller is Se7en
My favourite thriller is conspiracy theory
the girl with the dragon tattoo
There are so many but Silence of the Lambs and Along Came A Spider. Both had riveting story lines and there were many twist and turns.
There are so many but Silence of the Lambs and Along Came A Spider. Both had riveting story lines and there were many twist and turns.Real classics.
Fatal Attraction was a well acted thriller movie.
Gone Girl was my favorite thriller 🙂
Hugh Jackman movie. Prisoners
The Panic Room – such a simple concept developing into a complex problem.
My favourite thriller movie is Inception.
the old Hitchcock films were pretty scary especially The Birds!
so many great scary movies in the past few years Fatal Attraction still stands out in my mind
You got to push it-this esatenisl info that is! http://lrijaxqnl.com [url=http://tsvlnewr.com]tsvlnewr[/url] [link=http://ugzqbx.com]ugzqbx[/link]
There are so many good movies named here, like “Psycho,” “Se7en,” “No Country for Old Men” (a stellar movie!); and “Gone Girl.” I can’t really choose from among just these! But I’d like to read this book, then see the movie.