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September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Screen & Stage • Film

Bullet Train

Bullet Train is a 2022 American action comedy film directed by David Leitch.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Bullet Train is a 2022 American action comedy film directed by David Leitch, based on Kōtarō Isaka’s 2010 Japanese novel *Maria Beetle*. The story follows a group of assassins whose missions collide aboard a Japanese high-speed train.

What it is

The film is set largely on a Shinkansen, or bullet train, in Japan. Brad Pitt plays Ladybug, an unlucky assassin trying to complete a job peacefully. Other killers on board have conflicting objectives, leading to escalating conflict during the journey.

Key details

David Leitch directed the film as a stylized action comedy. Much of the train-and-city imagery was created with green-screen work, miniatures, and CGI. The ensemble cast includes Brad Pitt, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Andrew Koji, Hiroyuki Sanada, Michael Shannon, Bad Bunny, and Sandra Bullock.

Source material

The film is adapted from the Japanese novel *Maria Beetle* by Kōtarō Isaka, published in 2010. It is an American production with an international cast and setting, though no strong Canada-specific connection is evident.

In short

  • American action comedy set on a Japanese bullet train.
  • Brad Pitt leads an ensemble cast as a hapless assassin.
  • Based on Kōtarō Isaka’s 2010 novel *Maria Beetle*.
  • Directed by David Leitch with heavy CGI and green-screen effects.
Canadian angle

No strong Canada-specific connection is evident in the provided sources; the film is primarily an American production with international cast and setting.

Quick questions

What is Bullet Train?
Bullet Train is a 2022 American action comedy film directed by David Leitch.
What is Bullet Train based on?
It is based on Kōtarō Isaka’s 2010 novel *Maria Beetle*.
Who stars in Bullet Train?
The ensemble cast includes Brad Pitt, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Andrew Koji, Hiroyuki Sanada, Michael Shannon, Bad Bunny, and Sandra Bullock.

Sources

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullet_Train_(film)
    Supports: Release year, director, country, plot premise, cast, and source novel.
  2. Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bullet_train_2022
    Supports: Genre, plot synopsis, Brad Pitt lead role, and streaming release date.
  3. IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt12593682/plotsummary/
    Supports: Plot summary involving multiple assassins on a bullet train.
  4. AlloCinéhttps://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=284846.html
    Supports: Director, release date, cast, runtime, and adaptation from *Maria Beetle*.