Season 4 of Snowpiercer Premieres on AMC and AMC+

Snowpiercer Season 4 premieres on AMC and AMC+ Sunday, July 21 at 9 p.m. ET.

A frozen wasteland isn’t the only obstacle the passengers of Snowpiercer have faced in the past four years. External factors almost derailed the sci-fi thriller’s final outing: It once looked like the fourth season would follow Coyote vs. Acme and Batgirl into the Warner Bros. Discovery tax write-off abyss. Thankfully, AMC swooped in, providing a home for a satisfying, adrenaline-packed, and occasionally disjointed 10-episode conclusion to this adaptation of the Bong Joon-Ho movie (and Le Transperceneige, the Jacques Lob/Jean-Marc Rochette graphic novel that inspired it) about riding out the new ice age aboard a massive, massively stratified train.

A Quick Refresher on Snowpiercer

Season 3 ended with an audacious gamble, splitting the last remnants of humanity into two groups. One half stayed aboard Snowpiercer, while the others took a chance to build a community outside of the train’s compartments. Season 4 capitalizes on the high emotional stakes set by the separation of past-and-current leader Melanie Cavill (Jennifer Connelly) and her daughter Alex (Rowan Blanchard. The refuge known as New Eden introduces a new setting and character dynamics, but it also takes a few episodes for the plot to find its rhythm.

Returning to the Action

The first episode throws viewers back into the action, with both groups facing a disturbing new threat. Showrunner Paul Zbyszewski navigates the new status quo and its impact on relationships with finesse, setting the stage for a gripping season ahead.

Character Dynamics and Relationships

The ensemble cast shines in Season 4 of Snowpiercer, with established character pairings filling the void left by absent principal characters. The return of the main villain, Joseph Wilford (Sean Bean), adds complexity to the narrative, while external antagonists bring additional challenges to the mix.

Survival and Trepidation

New Eden may offer a hospitable climate, but an atmosphere of foreboding lingers, adding suspense to the narrative. Snowpiercer excels when blending themes of survival with trepidation, exploring existential threats and the true enemy of pride.

The callbacks to previous seasons and subtle nods to character development enhance the viewing experience. While the show maintains a sense of urgency and tension, it also delivers poignant moments and significant losses that resonate with viewers.