Fact check: Is the Snowpiercer TV show related to the movie? Explained

Snowpiercer, a dystopian drama series, premiered on TNT on May 17, 2020. The Bong Joon-ho film of the same name, released in 2013 and the 1982 French graphic novel Le Transperceneige by Jacques Lob, Benjamin Legrand, and Jean-Marc Rochette, inspired the TV show.

The TV show follows the lives of global survivors, on a moving train, after the world freezes. The film and TV series differ in terms of time continuity. The TV series explores the train's complex social and political dynamics, while the film's storytelling, while also dealing with the socio-political scenario, is linear. The fourth and final season of this TNT show premiered on July 21, 2024.

The final season of Snowpiercer began with the first episode, Snakes in the Garden, where a rocket crash leads Melanie to send Till and Ben on an investigation. Nine months later, New Eden begins to flourish. In The Sting of Survival, about to air on July 28, 2024, Milius and his Animal Squad will seize the train, forcing Melanie to shut the engine vault doors and ultimately surrender to save Ben's life.

Key episodes include Life Source, which will air on August 4, 2024, showing the ongoing struggles of humanity on the perpetually moving train. North Star, airing on August 11, 2024, will highlight the persistent social injustices. The series will end with Last Stop, the finale, airing on September 22, 2024.

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Snowpiercer TV Show and it's difference from the movie of the same title

An important distinction between the Snowpiercer TV show and the movie is their respective timelines. The TV show begins seven years following the freeze, whereas the movie takes place 17 years later.

The story of the TV show is about the last people left on Earth who live on a huge train called Snowpiercer. This train goes all the way around the world without stopping. There are different classes of people on the train, with the wealthy at the front, living in comfort, and the poor thrust at the back, living a much harder life.

Jennifer Connelly plays Melanie Cavill, who initially pretends to speak for the train's mysterious creator, Mr. Wilford. This adds mystery and surprise to the story until her true role is revealed. Daveed Diggs plays Andre Layton, the only remaining homicide detective in the world. He is asked to solve murders on the train, which introduces a detective element to the series.

As Layton investigates, he gathers information and allies to fight against the train's unfair class system. The show explores themes of social justice, survival, and power struggles among the passengers.

The 2013 Snowpiercer film, directed by Bong Joon-ho, stars Chris Evans, Tilda Swinton, Ed Harris, John Hurt, and Jamie Bell among others. From the tail of the train, Chris Evans plays Curtis, the leader of the revolt. As Minister Mason, an eccentric and cruel class enforcer, Tilda Swinton portrays the character brilliantly. Ed Harris plays Snowpiercer's reclusive, Wilford.

In the series, Daveed Diggs is the on-screen Andre Layton and Jennifer Connelly plays Melanie Cavill. Mickey Sumner, Alison Wright, Iddo Goldberg, and Susan Park also appear. Later seasons added Steven Ogg, Rowan Blanchard, Sean Bean, Chelsea Harris, and Archie Panjabi. This ensemble cast portrays a variety of characters with unique motivations.

The TV show is related to the movie despite not sharing the same continuity. Both the movie and TV show Snowpiercer share the source material and a premise. However, the TV series adds new perspectives and explores more complex characters and themes.

Snowpiercer is available on Netflix.