Bullet Train is a complex but neatly written action-comedy that tidily drives home themes about karma and fate, yet there are several important questions left unanswered at the end of the movie. Starring Brad Pitt, Bullet Train is full of wit as it conveys meaningful messages between the expertly crafted action shots that dominate the movie. Bullet Train also features cameos from some of Hollywood's greats, including Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock, making it an absolute joy to watch.
Based on Kōtarō Isaka's novel, Bullet Train is a fairly complex movie, but the writing is tied up quite nicely without any major plot holes. However, there are still some questions left unanswered by the adaptation that could potentially lead to a sequel. Read on to find the biggest unanswered questions at the end of Bullet Train.
Did Carver Know The Job Was A Trap?
This is perhaps the biggest unanswered question, especially if Bullet Train ever gets a sequel. Carver (Ryan Reynolds) is a fellow assassin whom Ladybug (Brad Pitt) clearly does not like in the slightest. Carver was supposed to be on this job, but he conveniently came down with an obscure "stomach thing" that kept him home. This is the only reason Ladybug was on this job in the first place.
Ladybug often bemoans his streak of bad luck and assumes that this job going the way it does is simply a continuation of his chronic misfortune. But is it possible that Carver knew what would happen and faked his illness so someone else would be killed in his place? Judging by Ladybug's opinion of Carver, it certainly seems possible that the mysterious assassin would do such a thing.
Not only does it seem possible that Carver would do something like that, but he would also have reason to do so. Bullet Train's ending reveals that Carver was the one who killed the White Death's wife, thereby kicking off the events of the movie. Based on everything known about the White Death (Michael Shannon), it seems unlikely he would stop pursuing Carver until he knew the guy was dead. That leaves Carver with a choice between trying to kill the White Death or trying to convince the crime boss that he's dead.
Convincing the White Death that he's already dead is the easiest decision, but it would require a fall guy. That would give him great reason to fake a sickness and let Ladybug die in his place. However, Carver would have to have known that the bullet train job was a set-up by the White Death. It would make perfect sense if Carver did purposefully set up Ladybug, however it is impossible to say with any certainty if he did. Perhaps Bullet Train and its incredible stunts will return for a sequel and answer the Carver question.
What Is The Story Behind Ladybug And Maria?
Brad Pitt's Ladybug and Sandra Bullock's Maria have excellent chemistry in Bullet Train, but the audience is left with questions about their history working together. Maria is Ladybug's handler, and they have clearly worked plenty of jobs together. However, it's never explained how they came to know each other or if they're working for a larger organization. They both work with Carver, which implies a syndicate. However, it is possible Maria is an independent handler who provides jobs for both Ladybug and Carver.
Maria and Ladybug's history is curious regardless of whether they work within a larger organization. Ladybug praises Maria as a handler, and it would be fascinating to find out why he prefers to work with her. A prequel or sequel could unravel the mystery of their shared past and provide more depth to Bullet Train's protagonist. Bullet Train features a tightly contained plot, however, and interestingly enough, Ladybug is one of the few important players in the story without flashbacks to explain his character.
Who Exactly Is Ladybug?
The lack of background for Bullet Train's main protagonist leaves the audience wondering who this Ladybug guy is. Based on his conversation with Maria, Ladybug has been out of the business for a time and this is his first job back. He also says that his preferred job is the snatch and grab, rather than assassination. He is shown working some sort of job at the Wolf's wedding, but outside of that, there is little to no background on Ladybug's character.
Ladybug's identity remains one of the biggest unanswered questions, yet it is likely intended to be that way. Ladybug, known only by his codename, serves as a contrast to some of the other mercenaries, whose bad deeds are outlined in their flashbacks. All the audience is supposed to know about Ladybug is that he tries to avoid killing, at least more than his fellow mercenaries do, and he has suffered a long streak of bad luck. But because he has tried to be better than them, and because he was not supposed to be there in the first place, he has garnered some good karma, and he miraculously survives the train crash, snapping his streak of bad luck.
In the end, all the mercenaries besides Lemon (Brian Tyree Henry) and Ladybug meet with karma and die in various ways. Even the White Death is killed when he shoots the rigged-to-explode gun his daughter, the Prince (Joey King) makes to murder him, proving that what goes around really does come around for Bullet Train's characters. Ladybug's identity is the guy who's not supposed to be there. Giving him more background could actually hurt Bullet Train's themes. The more ambiguous his character is, the better his arc works.