Netflix’s latest Japanese thriller, Bullet Train Explosion, is making waves as it reboots the classic 1975 film that inspired Hollywood’s Speed.
Directed by Shinji Higuchi, known for Shin Godzilla and Attack on Titan, the film stars Tsuyoshi Kusanagi and premieres globally on April 23, 2025.
A Star Reunited: Why Higuchi Chose Tsuyoshi Kusanagi
Shinji Higuchi and Tsuyoshi Kusanagi last worked together nearly 20 years ago on Doomsday: The Sinking of Japan. Higuchi says Kusanagi’s journey from idol to mature actor made him the right choice for the lead conductor role in Bullet Train Explosion.
The director notes that Kusanagi’s life experiences have deepened his performances, giving him an exceptional mix of discipline and intensity.
Higuchi shares, “He is no longer just an idol from SMAP.” There’s a charm about him – a man who follows the rules but also has madness inside, which I sometimes see in his roles. Depth was essential for this film.”
Casting Kusanagi was difficult. For years, industry politics and agency restrictions made it difficult. Only after Kusanagi left his former management and with Netflix’s entry into Japanese content, could Higuchi finally bring him on board for this big-budget project.
Bullet Train Explosion: High Stakes and Moral Questions
The story follows a bullet train heading to Tokyo, threatened by a bomb that explodes if the train slows below 100 km/h. The terrorist demands a 100 billion yen ransom, putting hundreds of lives at risk.
But Higuchi’s vision goes beyond action. He uses the film to ask tough questions about life’s value and people’s choices under pressure.
He reflects, “When we create a film, we can do numerous things.” We are like a deity—we can dictate the characters’ lives and destinies. Although these characters are fictional, we bear the responsibility of making those choices”.
Drawing from his youth, Higuchi says he wanted the film to show how people endure hardship and find hope, even when the future seems bleak.
He and his team even spoke with young people in Japan to ensure the film’s antagonist reflected today’s uncertainty.
Realism and Visual Spectacle: Bringing the Bullet Train to Life
- The crew built full-scale bullet train cars and filmed on real Shinkansen tracks with JR East Railways, a first in Japanese cinema.
- Action scenes blend practical effects with cutting-edge VFX, aiming for maximum realism and suspense.
The Big Question
Bullet Train Explosion is more than just a high-speed thriller—it’s a story about choices, consequences, and the human spirit.
With Netflix backing and a star-studded cast, will this film set an industry standard for Japanese action dramas and spark even more bold, original stories from Japan?
What do you think—can Bullet Train Explosion become Japan’s next global sensation and inspire a new wave of local storytelling?