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Transsiberian
First Look Studios

Transsiberian reviews
Critic Score
Metascore: 72 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
7.8 out of 10
based on 21 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 24 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie

MPAA RATING: R for some violence, including torture and language

Starring Woody Harrelson, Emily Mortimer, Kate Mara, Eduardo Noriega, Thomas Kretschmann, and Ben Kingsley

One of those legendary train trips that people used to dream about taking, the Transsiberian Express has probably seen better days. An American couple, Roy and Jessie, decide to return home the long way from their recent sojourn in Peking and meet another couple from the West, Carlos and Abby, with whom they quickly form that tenuous bond that often unites fellow travelers away from home. When Roy gets separated from the train at a stopover, Jessie begins to realize that their compatriots aren’t exactly who or what they seem to be. But the real dangers of their unforgettable trip have only begun to surface; Russian cops, mobsters, and locals are still to come. (First Look Studios)


GENRE(S): Crime  |  Drama  
WRITTEN BY: Brad Anderson
Will Conroy
 
DIRECTED BY: Brad Anderson  
RELEASE DATE: DVD: November 4, 2008 
Theatrical: July 18, 2008 
RUNNING TIME: 111 minutes, Color 
ORIGIN: UK | Germany | Spain | Lithuania 

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

88
Premiere Jenni Miller
This is one train that you shouldn't miss.
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88
Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert
One hell of a thriller. It's not often that I feel true suspense and dread building within me, but they were building during long stretches of this expertly constructed film.
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83
The Onion (A.V. Club) Scott Tobias
Though Anderson's storytelling gets murky at times, it's still a fine showcase for his versatility, adding to an impressive, under-the-radar résumé that includes the underrated science-fiction comedy "Happy Accidents" and the first-rate horror film "Session 9."
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80
The Hollywood Reporter Kirk Honeycutt
A vigorous, fast-paced tale that entwines plot with character and psychology set against an incredibly exotic backdrop.
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80
Variety Todd McCarthy
An engagingly up-to-date melodrama steeped in local color and steered by a treacherous sense of morality.
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80
LA Weekly Scott Foundas
Anderson and his very fine cast keep things chugging along at a breathless pace, complete with a midfilm reversal of fortune nearly as unexpected as "Psycho's" shower scene. All aboard!
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80
Los Angeles Times Jan Stuart
Mortimer gives a terrifically keyed-up performance that is nicely complemented by the wholesomely chipper Harrelson, who seems to be drawing inspiration from Fred MacMurray's gallery of Disney dads.
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80
Washington Post Mike Mayo
All in all, the film is an excellent, if modest, alternative for moviegoers who have been blockbustered into submission this summer.
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78
Austin Chronicle Marjorie Baumgarten
With top-notch performances (especially that of Mortimer) and the gray of the Siberian wilderness providing an apt backdrop for the movie's gray zones of morality, Transsiberian is on a great track.
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75
Miami Herald Rene Rodriguez
Unlike so many Hollywood thrillers, which too often rely on implausible or telegraphed twists, Transsiberian is carefully structured and designed to make sense when you replay the events in your head.
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75
San Francisco Chronicle Ruthe Stein
In the riveting Transsiberian, a train of that name adds international intrigue to the mix.
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75
Philadelphia Inquirer Steven Rea
Manages to pull off a couple of startling surprises.
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75
New York Post Lou Lumenick
Brad Anderson's Transsiberian is a genuine sleeper that jump-starts an almost extinct genre.
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75
TV Guide Maitland McDonagh
The execution is masterful and even as you see the building blocks of the climax being put into place, it's a delight to watch them fit JUST SO.
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70
The New York Times Stephen Holden
Until it fizzles in an anticlimactic train crash, it is extremely entertaining.
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70
Film Threat Jamie Tipps
Mortimer delivers as a mentally disintegrating wife, but it's Harrelson who provides the most fun, playing against type as the down-home Roy.
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67
Entertainment Weekly Chris Nashawaty
Who doesn't have a sweet tooth for intrigue on a train?
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60
New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman
Since Alfred Hitchcock set the standard for strangers-on-a-train thrillers, Anderson has a lot to live up to. He falls short of creating a new classic, but he does manage to keep us on edge for most of the movie.
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58
Seattle Post-Intelligencer Sean Axmaker
It's a little sloppy and full of convenient coincidences, but at its best roils with edgy character tensions.
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50
Boston Globe Wesley Morris
Unfortunately, there's never a moment where you can't see Anderson and his co-writer, Will Conroy, yanking on the strings.
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40
Village Voice Ed Gonzalez
Just as nasty as the titular mode of transport is the script's wanton declaration of theme and a cynical and fashionable belief in moral grayness that may complement the frosty setting but nonetheless feels easy.
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What Our Users Said

Vote Now!The average user rating for this movie is 7.8 (out of 10) based on 24 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Essi S gave it a9:
I was expecting good things from this film, but I was totally blown away by it´s great script, matched with perfect directing and cast performances. Also the locations were beautiful and mesmerizing. The score was also just right. Transsiberian reminded me a little bit of Woody Allens Match Point, which is also an amazing thriller.It is not the easiest genre to pull of, but this film nailed it! I don´t have anything bad to say about this movie. Go see it!

[Anonymous] gave it a5:
A good idea gone dumb, but somewhat engaging. The heavy-handed morality play is evident from the very first scene, and is revisited throughout. Still, this was actually a decent little thriller until the last third or so, then the film, uh, jumps the rail, so to speak. You'll know the moment it happens when you watch it. Good performances though, especially Emily Mortimer and the guy playing Carlos. Abby's character could have used a little more fleshing out, given how the movie ends. In all, I wished the ending was better.

rob z gave it an8:
Superb acting, a twisting, suspenseful plot, and beautful back drop propelled this movie as a very pleasant surprise.

Rich R gave it a9:
This is a pretty good movie. I really liked the female lead, and I always like Woody Harrelson, who's essentially a comic actor, right? I mean, who could play a more clueless dork??? He still hadn't quite figured out what was going on by the end of the movie. But I loved the scenery and all the colorful local characters, Russian or not. Come to think of it, I'm not even sure this was filmed in Russia, but no matter.

andrew gave it an8:
Very entertaining, intelligent thriller. Well written dialogue and interesting characters, surprising plot shifts, and interesting settings - all very satisfying.

Jim C. gave it a10:
A fabulous movie with great acting, a mysterious plot that keeps one quessing and interesting scenery. Too bad it didn't make it to the big screens.

Aideen M. gave it a10:
The scariest movie I've seen this year.

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