Zombie Apocalypse Fizzles: 'Train To Busan' Franchise Sees Returns Plummet

South Korean filmmaker Yeon Sang-ho, celebrated for his contributions to the zombie horror genre through works like "Train To Busan," its animated prequel "Seoul Station," and the live-action sequel "Peninsula," revisits this familiar territory with his latest film, "Colony." Despite Yeon's established credibility within this specific subgenre, "Colony" is critiqued as comparatively hollow, struggling to achieve the same potency as its predecessors. The film attempts to recreate the successful formula of "Busan," incorporating chilling monster designs, a largely single-location conceit, and a diverse group of survivors, but ultimately falls short in its execution.

At its core, "Colony" delves into the profound societal pratfall of "imperfect communication," positing it as the root cause of all tragedy—a theme that unfolds amidst the chaos of a burgeoning zombie apocalypse. The narrative is uniquely set against the backdrop of a biotechnology conference, where leading professors and business figures converge to deliberate on the latest advancements in their respective fields. This intellectual setting provides an unexpected stage for the unfolding horror.

Among the attendees is Kwon Se-jeong, portrayed by Jun Ji-hyun, who, despite the actress's usual charisma, is described as being "totally void of charisma" in this particular role. Se-jeong attends the conference with a personal agenda beyond mere research updates: having recently lost her professorship, she is in urgent need of a new employment opportunity. Her presence is further complicated by that of her well-meaning ex-husband, Han Gyu-seong, played by Go Soo, who also starred in "Busan." Gyu-seong is planning to relocate abroad with his new wife, affectionately referred to as "my better half" in his phone contacts—a detail that firmly establishes the absence of any lingering romantic attraction between the former spouses. Following an influential CEO's presentation that delved into concepts such as "collective intelligence," "yellow slime mold," and "organic semiconductors," Se-jeong identifies an opportunity. Encouraged by the potential, she aims to introduce herself, hoping to secure a coveted position within her field, unaware of the impending doom that will transform the conference into a desperate battle for survival against the undead.