Critics generally found the film a "decent thriller" with a "slow burn". While some appreciated the "claustrophobic" cinematography and tense atmosphere, others felt the non-linear timeline and stream-of-consciousness style of the book didn't translate perfectly to a two-hour movie.
Rachel’s alcoholism and frequent blackouts make her an unreliable guide. She struggles to distinguish between reality and her own projections, often feeling "conditioned" into believing she is a violent, erratic person. The Girl on the Train(2016)
Rachel Watson spends her daily commute aimlessly riding a train into New York City (a shift from the London setting of the book). She obsessively watches the houses along the tracks, particularly: Critics generally found the film a "decent thriller"
A central theme is the psychological abuse women face. Rachel eventually realizes her memories of being a "destructive alcoholic" were partially manufactured by her gaslighting ex-husband, Tom, to keep her compliant and confused. She struggles to distinguish between reality and her
The Girl on the Train (2016) – A. J. Black – Writer/Podcaster
Blunt is noted for capturing Rachel’s "embarrassing, vulnerable, and inebriated mess". Some critics, however, pointed out she might be "too Hollywood perfect" for a character described as "puffy and frumpy" in the novel. Key Themes
Rachel idealizes Megan and Scott as the "perfect" family. Her fantasy is shattered when she sees Megan kissing another man. Shortly after, Megan goes missing, and Rachel—who was in the area that night but had a drunken blackout—becomes convinced she witnessed something vital.