Peninsula (2020) presents a vastly different tone compared to its predecessor, replacing claustrophobic horror with a grand-scale, action-packed survival story. While Train to Busan thrived on its emotional depth and character-driven suspense, Peninsula focuses more on spectacle, featuring elaborate chase sequences and large CGI-driven zombie hordes.

The cinematography captures the desolate wasteland of a ruined South Korea, creating an eerie, dystopian atmosphere. The film’s set pieces, particularly the night-time chases with modified vehicles, add to its adrenaline-pumping action. Gang Dong-won delivers a solid lead performance, balancing his character’s regret and determination. Supporting characters, including a resourceful mother and her children, add emotional weight, but the film struggles to match the depth of Train to Busan’s character arcs.

One of Peninsula’s weaker aspects is its reliance on CGI-heavy sequences, which sometimes feel overly artificial compared to the raw intensity of its predecessor. Additionally, while the story introduces intriguing elements—such as a brutal survivor faction running underground death matches—it occasionally falls into action-movie clichés.