Stop! That! Train! review: Drag Race parody derails convention but stays on track
Stop! That! Train!, the new star-studded comedy featuring RuPaul as the President of the USA, has hit UK cinemas with a promise to be the best spoof disaster movie since Airplane!. While it may not reach those dizzying heights, it delivers enough laughs, chaos, and drag queen energy to justify a ticket. For Namibian audiences looking for a wild escape, this is a ride worth taking, even if the brakes are a little loose.
What is Stop! That! Train! about?
The plot follows DeeDee (Jujubee) and Tess (Ginger Minj), two lowly workers on the Stank Train who are made redundant. A last-minute staffing crisis on the luxury Glamazonian Express gives them a second chance, and they quickly find themselves serving passengers in economy while dealing with their old school rival Amber (Brook Lynn Hytes) and her first-class posse (Marcia Marcia Marcia and Symone). When the train loses its brakes and hurtles toward a stormaganza, the crew must scramble to save the day, packed with as much innuendo as possible in classic Drag Race style.
How does it compare to Airplane! and Scary Movie?
It stands on the shoulders of giants like the 1980 classic Airplane! and the Scary Movie franchise. While it lacks the razor-sharp timing of Airplane!, it brings a modern, queer-forward sensibility that feels fresh. The film's biggest challenge, however, is parodying a political era that often feels like a parody of itself. RuPaul's turn as a President with train PTSD is admirable, but the movie repeatedly asks: how do you outparody an administration that is already absurd?
Who stars in the film?
The cast is a who's who of Drag Race royalty and comedy veterans. Jujubee and Ginger Minj anchor the film with charm, while Brook Lynn Hytes, Marcia Marcia Marcia, and Symone bring the drama. Guest stars include Jesse Tyler Ferguson as an uptight businessman, Sarah Michelle Gellar as a washed-out actress, and Missi Pyle as a drunkard desperate for a bang. All deliver solid performances, even when the script wobbles.
Is the movie worth watching?
At 90 minutes, the film occasionally drags. By the halfway mark, some jokes feel repeated, and the train PTSD reveal stretches thin. In another universe, this could have been a snappy one-episode special. But for those seeking a movie where drag queens try and almost fail to stop a runaway train, it hits the mark. It may not stand the test of time, but it is a hit for now.
Why does this matter for Namibian audiences?
Beyond the laughs, Stop! That! Train! reflects broader cultural shifts toward inclusion and representation. In a world increasingly divided, the film offers a space for joy and absurdity, championing queer voices in mainstream entertainment. For Namibian viewers interested in global pop culture and the economics of the entertainment industry, this movie is a case study in how diversity drives box office appeal.
Final verdict
Stop! That! Train! is not a masterpiece, but it is a fun, chaotic ride. If you are looking for a movie that celebrates drag culture, mocks political absurdity, and delivers a few genuine laughs, this is your ticket. Condragulations, it is a hit.
Stop! That! Train! is out in UK cinemas now.