Review of The Girl On the Train: Book and Movie

Paula Hawkins' The Girl on the Train is a psychological thriller that captivates with its twisted narrative and complex characters. Released in 2015, the novel delves into the murky waters of obsession, trauma, and the search for truth. Here is a review of 'The Girl on the Train'.

Book Review of The Girl on the Train

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins follows Rachel, a woman whose daily train ride takes her past a couple she imagines to be perfect, until she sees something shocking one day. Rachel is flawed, deeply broken, and yet, painfully human, which makes her an unforgettable narrator.

What I found most gripping is how the novel plays with memory, alcoholism, and perspective, weaving multiple narratives that keep you guessing till the end. Paula Hawkins uses unreliable narration to her advantage, making me question every detail I read and everyone’s version of the truth.

The book is divided into three female voices—Rachel, Anna, and Megan—and each one reveals painful secrets and emotional truths. I felt like I was being pulled into their messy, interconnected lives, where trust is rare and guilt runs deep.

The pacing in the first half is slow but intentionally so—it mimics the repetition of Rachel’s days and the fog in her mind. But the second half gains speed quickly and the twist, when it comes, lands hard and shakes the entire narrative.

This isn't just a mystery or a thriller—it’s also a story about grief, obsession, betrayal, and the lies we tell ourselves.

As a reader, I appreciated how the book doesn’t spoonfeed answers and instead trusts us to piece together the puzzle. Hawkins captures emotional chaos with realism and that made this story hit even harder.

Movie Review of The Girl on the Train (2016)

The film adaptation of The Girl on the Train, directed by Tate Taylor and starring Emily Blunt, attempts to capture the suspense of the novel, but stumbles in translation.

Emily Blunt is fantastic in her role as Rachel—she portrays alcoholism, confusion, and despair with raw honesty and powerful emotion. I believed her performance more than anything else in the film.

The movie tries to cram a lot of narrative into a short runtime, which means some character arcs are underdeveloped or too rushed. Megan’s storyline, in particular, feels less impactful compared to the book.

The editing is choppy in parts, and while it tries to maintain mystery through nonlinear storytelling, it ends up feeling slightly disjointed.

Despite these issues, the film keeps the emotional depth alive—thanks mostly to Blunt—and manages to retain the psychological weight of Rachel’s journey. The music and cinematography add to the dark tone and help in building suspense.

Overall, the movie works if you haven’t read the book, but it doesn’t capture the full complexity that Hawkins crafted.

The Girl on the Train - Book vs. Movie Comparison

When comparing The Girl on the Train book and movie, the book definitely offers a richer and more layered experience.

In the book, the unreliable narration is deeply internal—we get to feel Rachel’s guilt, confusion, and desperation in her own words. This emotional access is harder to achieve in the movie format, which relies more on visual cues and dialogue.

The book takes time to build suspense slowly and thoughtfully, while the movie speeds through important subplots and emotional beats.

Emily Blunt’s performance is the strongest element in the movie, and without her, the film would likely have fallen flat. The film simplifies certain characters, making their motivations less believable than in the book where they are messier, but more human.

Both versions keep the main plot twist intact, but in the book, the reveal has greater emotional weight because we’ve spent more time in Rachel’s mind.

While the movie is entertaining and dramatic, it doesn’t match the haunting depth and psychological complexity of Paula Hawkins’ novel.

Final Thoughts

The Girl on the Train novel is an emotional, psychological thriller that goes beyond surface-level mystery and explores trauma and memory. The movie is visually gripping, but lacks the same depth. If you enjoy character-driven suspense, go for the book first.

Have you read the book or watched the movie—or both? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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