Today’s Prayer Focus
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MOVIE REVIEW

The Girl on the Train

also known as “La Chica del Tren,” “La fille du train,” “A Garota no Trem,” See more »
MPA Rating: R-Rating (MPA) for violence, sexual content, language and nudity.

Reviewed by: Pamela Karpelenia
CONTRIBUTOR

Moral Rating: Very Offensive
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: Adults
Genre: Mystery Thriller Adaptation
Length: 1 hr. 45 min.
Year of Release: 2016
USA Release: October 7, 2016 (wide—3,144 theaters)
DVD: January 17, 2017
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Relevant Issues

obsession with achieving what the world considers a perfect life and a perfect marriage

life after divorce

FORNICATION and ADULTERY in the Bible

SEXUAL LUST—What does the Bible say about it? Answer

drunkenness / alcoholism

murder in the Bible

sin and the fall of man

compare to goodness and righteousness

death, the final judgment and eternal life or eternal death

About hope

Click here to watch THE HOPE on-line!
Discover God’s promise for all people—told beautifully and clearly from the beginning. Discover The HOPE! Watch it on Christian Answers—full-length motion picture.
Featuring Emily BluntRachel Watson
Luke EvansScott Hipwell
Rebecca FergusonAnna Watson
Haley BennettMegan Hipwell
Laura Prepon … Cathy
Edgar RamírezDr. Kamal Abdic
Allison JanneyDetective Sgt. Riley
Lisa KudrowMonica
See all »
Director Tate Taylor — “The Help
Producer Marc Platt
Amblin Entertainment
See all »
Distributor

“What you see can hurt you.”

This film is based on Paula Hawkins’ bestselling novel of the same name.

“I used to watch this woman…”

“The Girl on the Train” opens with a narration of the character Rachel (performed by Emily Blunt), a depressed alcoholic, who spends most of her time riding on the train. She sees a woman and becomes obsessed with her “perfect” life. Everyday she sees her in her perfect home with her husband and their most intimate moments.

DEPRESSION—Are there biblical examples of depression and how to deal with it? Answer

What should a Christian do if overwhelmed with depression? Answer

Her obsession is interrupted when she sees the woman (Megan Hipwell) with another man. Rachel sees Megan’s infidelity as a betrayal to her and becomes enraged. We learn Rachel’s own marriage ended when her husband cheated and left her after she failed to get pregnant. This betrayal and loss led to her excessive drinking, and she can’t remember things clearly. Rachel’s fixation climaxes when Megan comes up missing. This mysterious beginning leads viewers down a rabbit hole of lies, adultery and murder.

Emily Blunt and Luke Evans are adept and truly believeable. The rest played their parts well. The plot is indeed confusing, but in a very intriguing way. I wanted to unravel the mystery and, with every scene, I learned more and understood less, which only made me want to watch more.

Now to the objectionable content, there is an abundance. Alcohol is used excessively by the leading character and others throughout the film. Adultery is a running theme that’s at the forefront of the movie. Sex and nudity is also graphically shown.

This film deals with many different sin issues, including: adultery, lying, drunkenness and how it affects people around them. The Bible says clearly these are sins. The one thing the film lacked is redemption. It just leaves the hollow feeling of a depraved world—a world ignorant of God’s mercy and grace, where people allow their sins to devour their souls. The film goes into deep detailed consequences of these actions, but not one character seeks repentance or forgiveness, they simply move on a hollow sense of closure.

As for a recommendation, I enjoyed the mystery and putting the pieces of puzzle together and was completely taken aback by the surprise ending. But be advised that this film contains very mature and offensive content and is certainly not for younger audiences. Discernment is key.

Violence: Extreme / Profanity: Extreme—“Jesus Christ” (1), “Jesus” (1), “God” (2), “hell,” f-words (60+), “mother-f*****” (1), s-words (4), “a**” (1), “d*ck” (1) / Sex/Nudity: Extreme

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.


Viewer CommentsSend your comments
Positive
Positive—You know, I have to say I recommend this movie; it is the most anti-adultery movies I have seen in a long time. Yes, the film shows a few instances of a couple “playing tiddlywinks” but the overall message it sends is that if you’re going to be unfaithful, you’re going to deal with the consequences. I really can’t divulge much more without giving away spoilers. All I’ll say is I’m glad I saw it.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4½
Steve, age 43 (Canada)
Negative
Negative—A lot of people are making a big deal out of this movie. I have one question for them: Why? Perhaps if they didn’t build it up so much I wouldn’t have expected so much. I thought it was ho-hum.

Having said that, now I’ll comment on the religious factor. As in 99% of Hollywood films, this one also shows people living lives absent of any signs of religion or faith. Hey, come to think of it, maybe that’s why the characters in the story are all messed up. Yup, that must be it. Save your money and skip this one.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 3
Leonardo, age 74 (USA)
Negative—Since I live in Dutchess County, New York, it was interesting seeing nearby areas in “The Girl On The Train.” But the film is quite offensive in drinking, sex, language, adultery, you name it. It also gets quite violent. But the film doesn’t stop for a minute in thrills, making it quite an entertaining watch. Without Jesus, this stuff happens. Caution and discernment is the final puzzle piece for this one. God Bless, Jesus Saves!!
My Ratings: Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 5
Stephen Jacewicz, age 21 (USA)

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