Advantages of Travelling by Train (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
Advantages of Travelling by Train is a 2019 drama thriller directed by Aritz Moreno, starring Pilar Castro as Helga Pato, Ernesto Alterio and Luis Tosar. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes and earned $395,690 worldwide. Its Echo Score is 78/100.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 44m (104 min)
- Director
- Aritz Moreno
- Original language
-
Spanish
- Studio
- Morena Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Advantages of Travelling by Train About?
The premise of Advantages of Travelling by Train without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Following her husband’s commitment to a distant psychiatric facility, book editor Helga Pato embarks on a train journey home. During her travels, she encounters a captivating stranger who claims to be a psychiatrist, leading her to question his identity and the circumstances surrounding her husband’s condition. The journey becomes an unsettling exploration of truth, perception, and the fragility of reality.
Advantages of Travelling by Train Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- insanity
- paranoia
- transvestite
- videotaping
- bestiality
- double personality
- conspiracy
- pedophilia
- female nudity
- sexual abuse
- animal abuse
- husband wife relationship
+38 more Show fewer
- child pornography
- episodic structure
- male bondage
- domineering boyfriend
- bdsm
- man humiliates a woman
- domestic violence
- split personality
- schizophrenia
- man dresses as a woman
- dementia
- obsession
- delusion
- hallucination
- one armed man
- lame
- army
- dog house
- dog collar
- psychiatric hospital
- train
- editor
- family dinner
- table
- wheelchair
- prostitution
- nurse
- child hospital
- war zone
- kiosk
- trash
- trash bag
- trash truck
- flashback
- first person narration
- discussion
- cheating
- compulsive hoarding
Advantages of Travelling by Train Cast & Characters
Pilar Castro leads the cast as Helga Pato, with Ernesto Alterio as Ángel Sanagustín and Luis Tosar as Martín Urales de Úbeda. Directed by Aritz Moreno; 32 actors are credited in all.
- Director Aritz Moreno
-
Pilar Castro as Helga Pato -
Ernesto Alterio as Ángel Sanagustín -
Luis Tosar as Martín Urales de Úbeda -
Belén Cuesta as Amelia Urales de Úbeda
Also Starring in Advantages of Travelling by Train
· 28 more- Javier Godino Cristóbal de la Hoz
- Quim Gutiérrez Emilio
- Javier Botet Gárate
- Macarena García Rosa
- Ramón Barea Martín's Father
- Gilbert Melki Leandro Cabrera
- Manuel Morón Gray-haired Man
- Alberto San Juan W
- Miguel Ángel Rodríguez Garbage Collector #1
- Diego París El Gota
- Paco Sagarzazu Doctor Crespo
- Iñake Irastorza Martín's Mother
- Iñigo Aranburu Military Man at Hospital
- Stéphanie Magnin Doctor Linares
- Maiken Beitia Skinny Woman
- Jöns Pappila Man #1
Show all 32 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Jon Ander Alonso Young Garbage Collector
- Alberto Arizaga Old Garbage Collector
- Lilian Caro Policewoman
- Daniel Hovarth Man #2
- Toñi Abello Postwoman
- Xabier Undiano Corta Paco Platero
- Endika González de Belandia Marquina Spraying Workman
- Francisco Javier Legarra Pravos Postman
- Fermín Barberena Belzunce Customer
- Pedro Acinas Blanco Young Policeman
- Inge Yarza Peñas Girl
- Alain Yarza Peñas Boy
More from Aritz Moreno
More films directed by Aritz Moreno: Flies, Cholera and Bucle.
Advantages of Travelling by Train Reviews & Ratings
Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in story & flow (68).
Advantages of Travelling by Train Echo Score Breakdown
Advantages of Travelling by Train delivers a daringly surreal cinematic experience that polarizes viewers. Critics highlight its baroque visual design and bold direction, while many users commend the strong performances and inventive structure. At the same time, several reviewers note narrative unevenness and occasional inconsistency in tone. The net impression is that the film succeeds as a provocative, art‑house work despite its occasional lapses.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 82
The film’s art and craft are marked by striking visual composition and inventive direction. Critics describe the cinematography as sumptuous and baroque, and users praise the surreal lighting and polished production values. Some viewers mention occasional inconsistency in visual style, but overall the aesthetic ambition outweighs these lapses. Consequently, the artistic execution is judged to be strong and distinctive.
- Character & Emotion 85
Character work in the film is generally praised for its intensity and depth. Multiple reviewers commend the ensemble cast, noting especially the nuanced performances of the lead actors. The emotional resonance of the protagonists is highlighted as a key strength, even when the narrative proves chaotic. Overall, the acting and character dynamics are regarded as a high point of the work.
- Story & Flow 68
The storytelling balances originality with structural challenges. Reviewers appreciate the bold, multi‑segment premise and its surreal ambition, yet many point to uneven pacing and confusing connections between chapters. Some cite a lack of coherence that hampers engagement, while others enjoy the unconventional narrative flow. As a result, the story is seen as inventive but imperfectly executed.
- Sensory Experience 75
Sensory elements such as sound and visual style receive mostly positive feedback. The film’s soundtrack and sound design complement its vivid, dream‑like imagery, and the lighting is noted for its mood‑setting contrasts. A few comments mention inconsistency in cinematographic quality, but the overall sensory experience is regarded as immersive and well‑aligned with the film’s tone. Hence, the sensory score reflects solid, if not flawless, execution.
- Rewatch Factor 70
Rewatch value is mixed, with enthusiastic viewers expressing a desire to revisit the film’s layered puzzles, while others advise caution due to its disorienting structure. The film’s surreal nature and hidden connections reward multiple viewings for some audiences, yet the unevenness may deter repeat engagement for others. Overall, the film offers moderate replay appeal, appealing primarily to fans of experimental cinema.
Advantages of Travelling by Train Plot Summary
What happens in Advantages of Travelling by Train from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Helga Pato, a young literary editor, returns home to find her husband overwhelmed by madness and winds up admitting him to a psychiatric clinic in the north of the country. On the return train journey, a stranger, trying to pass the time, asks her a question that pivots the narrative:
“Would you like me to tell you about my life?”
Full summary
The whole story of Advantages of Travelling by Train, scene by scene
Advantages of Travelling by Train Box Office
Advantages of Travelling by Train grossed $395,690 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$395.7K
- International
- $395.7K
Advantages of Travelling by Train Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Advantages of Travelling by Train.
How Well Do You Know Advantages of Travelling by Train?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the main female character, a young literary editor?
Advantages of Travelling by Train Also Known As
12 alternative titles, including “列車旅行のすすめ” and “Výhody cestování vlakem”.
- Also known as
-
- 列車旅行のすすめ
- Výhody cestování vlakem
- Les Avantages de voyager en train
- 坐火车旅行
- Преимущества путешествий поездами
- Die obskuren Geschichten eines Zugreisenden
- 搭火車旅行好吃驚
- Výhody cestovania vlakom
- A vonatozás előnyei
- Pociąg tajemnic
- 어드밴티지스 오브 트래블링 바이 트레인
- Переваги подорожей поїздами
Seen Advantages of Travelling by Train?
Movies Like Advantages of Travelling by Train
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Transsiberian, Trans-Europ-Express and Warm Nights on a Slow Moving Train.
-
Transsiberian 2008 -
Trans-Europ-Express 1966 -
Warm Nights on a Slow Moving Train 1987 -
The Girl on the Train 2016 -
The Train: Some Lines Shoulder Never Be Crossed… 2007 -
Night Train 2009 -
The Man on the Train 1958 -
Train of Events 1949 -
Lady on a Train 1945 -
Transit 2019 -
Disclaimer 2024 -
Death Steps in the Dark 1977
Advantages of Travelling by Train FAQ: Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of Advantages of Travelling by Train, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Advantages of Travelling by Train?
Advantages of Travelling by Train runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).
When was Advantages of Travelling by Train released?
Advantages of Travelling by Train was released on October 5, 2019.
Who directed Advantages of Travelling by Train?
Advantages of Travelling by Train was directed by Aritz Moreno.
More films by Aritz Moreno Who is in the cast of Advantages of Travelling by Train?
Advantages of Travelling by Train stars Pilar Castro as Helga Pato, Ernesto Alterio as Ángel Sanagustín and Luis Tosar as Martín Urales de Úbeda, among 32 credited actors.
How much did Advantages of Travelling by Train make at the box office?
Advantages of Travelling by Train grossed $395,690 worldwide.
Does Advantages of Travelling by Train have a post-credit scene?
No. Advantages of Travelling by Train has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Advantages of Travelling by Train in?
The original language of Advantages of Travelling by Train is Spanish.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
