Post-apocalyptic science fiction is rarely a tale of triumph. From the very beginning, it is doomed to unfold in the midst of terrible circumstances. However, in the best examples of this genre, the protagonists manage to find a way to not just survive, but to truly thrive in their new reality. Bong Joon-ho's Snowpiercer is set in a world where human-induced climate change has left the survivors confined to a perpetually moving train.
Snowpiercer took Bong by surprise, as it exceeded all expectations. Already renowned in South Korean cinema, the director gained international acclaim with his 2006 film The Host. Making his English-language debut with Snowpiercer, and with the support of talented actors like Chris Evans and Tilda Swinton, Bong created a film that was not only beloved by critics, but also captured the attention of audiences worldwide.
What is Snowpiercer about?
In 2031, humanity's attempt to combat climate change ended in disaster. An extensive release of aerosolized chemicals into the atmosphere resulted in a devastating ice age that nearly wiped out all life on Earth. Fortunately, a man named Wilford had foreseen this catastrophe and devised a solution known as the Snowpiercer. This remarkable train, capable of navigating the globe and converting snow into fuel, became the refuge for the survivors. However, life on the Snowpiercer is far from equal. While the privileged few enjoy luxurious amenities, endless festivities, top-notch child care, and gourmet cuisine, the less fortunate are crammed into overcrowded compartments, surviving on meager protein blocks and fighting for basic necessities.
The narrative of Snowpiercer follows the oppressed inhabitants of the "tail section" as they rise against the oppressive train guards. Under the leadership of Curtis Everett and with guidance from his mentor Gilliam, the marginalized passengers prepare to challenge their oppressors. Believing that the guards' firearms are unloaded due to a previous rebellion, Curtis and his allies brave treacherous train cars in their quest to reach the front. Along the way, they liberate a security specialist named Namgoong and his gifted daughter Yona, who assist in unlocking the heavily guarded doors on each level. Facing relentless armed opposition, witnessing the stark contrast of life in the front cars, and driven by their desire for a better future for themselves and their children, Curtis and his comrades endure a grim journey. As the casualties accumulate, the shocking truth about existence aboard the train is unveiled, forcing the remaining humans to forge a new path forward.
How does Snowpiercer end?
The rebellion led by the tail army results in the deaths of many innocent people. As the passengers make their way to the second-to-last car, only Curtis, Namgoong, and Yona manage to survive. Namgoong and Yona reveal a bundle of explosives that they plan to use to escape from the Snowpiercer. However, Curtis refuses because he is determined to confront Wilford. Curtis wants to understand the reasons behind Wilford's management of the Snowpiercer. He enters the engineer's car and encounters Wilford, who appears disappointingly ordinary. Wilford explains that the train's structure, including the frequent rebellions, are all intentional components of the master plan. Gilliam, from the tail, is a supporter of Wilford. The rebellion was orchestrated by Wilford and Gilliam as a means of controlling the population, eliminating nearly three-quarters of the impoverished population.
As Curtis comes to the realization that everything he has worked for has been a deception, Wilford offers him a high-ranking position at the front of the train. Although tempted by the offer, Curtis changes his mind after discovering that children from the tail are being abducted and forced to work as slaves in the engine room of the Snowpiercer. Curtis strikes Wilford unconscious and saves Timmy, a boy trapped in a compartment, at the cost of his own arm. Yona ignites the explosives just as another young slave enters the engine room. Curtis and Namgoong shield Timmy and Yona with their bodies. The two children survive as the Snowpiercer veers off the tracks. Yona and Timmy step foot outside the Snowpiercer for the first time in their lives, and even though the land remains frozen, a polar bear can be seen in the distance, indicating that life still exists.
Is the Snowpiercer ending different in the comics?
The film adaptation of the original French graphic novel Le Transperceneige has significant deviations. It predominantly follows the first volume, which includes a peasant rebellion. The protagonists, Proloff and Belleau, attempt to escape the rear cars and infiltrate the luxurious section. They are greeted by Colonel Krimson, who asks for their help in evacuating the tail section by disconnecting it. However, they soon realize that Krimson intends to detach the cars with everyone still on board. A deadly virus spreads throughout the rear cars, prompting the healthy individuals to fight their way to the front. In a desperate act, Proloff shatters the windows, resulting in Belleau's death due to the freezing temperatures. Proloff subsequently encounters the engineer, who assigns him his role. Unfortunately, the virus continues to claim lives on the train. Proloff assumes command, but he becomes the last remaining person on a train with a limited lifespan.
Snowpiercer is a gripping story of rebellion against social classes, culminating in a truly astonishing ending. While it strays from the original narrative, Bong's interpretation of the material stands as one of the most powerful science fiction dystopias in recent memory, with its brutal twists and turns ultimately leading to a brief moment of hope.