The Art of Chaos: How Elísabet Ronaldsdóttir Edited Bullet Train

When audiences experience the kinetic energy of “Bullet Train,” they witness the culmination of countless editorial decisions that transform raw footage into a cohesive narrative. Behind this high-octane thriller stands Elísabet Ronaldsdóttir, the Icelandic editor whose expertise shaped the film’s distinctive rhythm and pacing.

Ronaldsdóttir’s journey to “Bullet Train” began with her collaborative work on David Leitch’s previous action spectacles, “John Wick” and “Atomic Blonde.” These films established her reputation for handling complex action sequences and intricate character dynamics. However, “Bullet Train” presented unique challenges that would test even her seasoned skills.

The film’s narrative complexity stems from multiple interconnected storylines, each featuring distinct characters with their own motivations and backstories. Add to this the confined setting of a speeding train, an array of flashback sequences, unexpected cameos, and a soundtrack featuring everything from Thomas the Tank Engine references to Engelbert Humperdinck, and the editorial puzzle becomes extraordinarily intricate.

This examination of Ronaldsdóttir’s editorial process reveals how technical innovation, creative problem-solving, and years of experience converge to create cinema that entertains while maintaining narrative coherence.

Mastering the Art of Action Editing

Ronaldsdóttir’s approach to editing action sequences demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of visual storytelling. Her work on “John Wick” and “Atomic Blonde” established fundamental principles that she refined for “Bullet Train.”

Action editing requires precise timing to maintain audience engagement without confusing. Each cut must serve multiple purposes: advancing the narrative, revealing character information, and maintaining the kinetic energy that defines the genre. Ronaldsdóttir achieves this through careful attention to the rhythm of violence, ensuring that each fight sequence feels both choreographed and spontaneous.

The confined space of the train cars presented specific challenges for action cinematography and editing. Traditional wide shots that establish spatial relationships become difficult when characters move through narrow corridors and compact compartments. Ronaldsdóttir solved this by creating a visual language that uses close-ups and medium shots to maintain clarity while preserving the claustrophobic tension essential to the story.

Her editorial choices also reflect an understanding of how modern audiences consume action content. Quick cuts and dynamic camera movements mirror contemporary visual culture while respecting classical editing principles that ensure story comprehension remains paramount.

Technical Innovation: LED Backgrounds vs. Greenscreen

The production of “Bullet Train” utilized cutting-edge technology that directly impacted Ronaldsdóttir’s editorial process. The film employed LED wall technology alongside traditional greenscreen techniques, creating unique challenges and opportunities during post-production.

LED walls provide real-time backgrounds that actors can see and react to during filming. This technology eliminates much of the guesswork associated with greenscreen work, where performers must imagine their surroundings. For Ronaldsdóttir, this meant receiving footage where actor performances already incorporated realistic lighting and environmental reactions.

However, LED technology also requires different editorial considerations. The real-time backgrounds must integrate seamlessly with practical elements, and editors must balance the pre-visualized LED content with additional visual effects added during post-production.

Ronaldsdóttir’s experience allowed her to navigate these technical requirements while maintaining focus on performance and pacing.
Greenscreen work, by contrast, demands extensive collaboration with visual effects teams during the editorial process. Editors must cut scenes knowing that significant portions of the visual information will be added later. This requires exceptional spatial awareness and the ability to maintain narrative flow while working with incomplete visual information.

The hybrid approach used in “Bullet Train” showcased Ronaldsdóttir’s adaptability and technical proficiency. She successfully integrated both technologies to create a cohesive visual experience that serves the story’s needs.

Editing Without Sound: A Unique Challenge

One of the most intriguing aspects of Ronaldsdóttir’s work on “Bullet Train” involved editing sequences without access to recorded audio. This constraint forced her to rely entirely on visual storytelling and her intuitive understanding of rhythm and pacing.

Editing without sound requires editors to find alternative methods for establishing tempo and emotional beats. Visual cues become paramount: the duration of a glance, the timing of a gesture, the rhythm of movement within the frame. Ronaldsdóttir drew upon her extensive experience to create sequences that would later accommodate dialogue, sound effects, and musical scoring.

This process demonstrates the fundamental importance of visual storytelling in cinema. While sound design and music contribute significantly to the emotional impact of scenes, the underlying visual structure must support the narrative independently. Ronaldsdóttir’s ability to create compelling sequences without audio highlights her deep understanding of cinematic language.

The challenge also required close collaboration with sound designers and composers during later stages of post-production. Editors must anticipate how audio elements will integrate with their visual choices, leaving appropriate space for dialogue while maintaining the pacing that serves the story.

Managing Multiple Characters and Storylines

“Bullet Train” features an ensemble cast with interwoven storylines that converge and diverge throughout the narrative. Each character brings distinct motivations, backstories, and personality traits that must remain clear despite the complex plotting.

Ronaldsdóttir’s editorial strategy involved creating distinct visual rhythms for different characters and storylines. This approach helps audiences track multiple narrative threads without confusion. Each character’s segments receive unique pacing and visual treatment that reflects their personality and role in the larger story.

The film’s flashback sequences presented additional complexity. These sequences must provide essential backstory information while maintaining the forward momentum of the main narrative. Ronaldsdóttir integrated flashbacks seamlessly by matching emotional beats and visual motifs that connect past events with present action.

Character revelation through editing requires careful balance. Too much information too quickly overwhelms audiences, while insufficient character development leaves viewers disconnected from the story. Ronaldsdóttir’s experience guided her in finding the optimal pace for character development that serves both individual story arcs and the collective narrative.

From Danish Editing Sheds to Hollywood

Ronaldsdóttir’s career trajectory from early days in Danish editing facilities to major Hollywood productions provides insight into the evolution of film editing technology and culture. Her memories of working in environments filled with cigarette smoke and flammable film stock highlight the dramatic changes that have transformed the editing profession.

Early film editing required physical manipulation of celluloid, with editors literally cutting and splicing footage to create the final product. This tactile process demanded precision and commitment; mistakes could be costly and time-consuming to correct. The physical nature of film editing also created specific working conditions that modern digital editors rarely experience.

The transition to digital editing systems revolutionized the profession by allowing for non-destructive editing, unlimited versions, and complex visual effects integration. However, the fundamental skills of storytelling, pacing, and visual composition remain constant across technological changes.

Ronaldsdóttir’s adaptation to new technologies while maintaining her editorial instincts demonstrates the importance of balancing technical proficiency with creative vision. Her success across different eras of filmmaking technology showcases how experienced editors can leverage new tools to enhance their storytelling capabilities.

The Musical and Sonic Landscape

“Bullet Train’s” eclectic soundtrack, featuring everything from Engelbert Humperdinck to Thomas the Tank Engine references, required careful editorial integration. Music selection and placement significantly impact the emotional resonance and pacing of scenes.

Ronaldsdóttir’s approach to musical integration reflects her understanding of how different genres and styles can enhance specific narrative moments. The unexpected musical choices in “Bullet Train” serve both comedic and dramatic purposes, requiring precise timing to achieve the intended effect.

The editor’s role in music integration extends beyond simply placing songs within scenes. Successful musical editing requires understanding how rhythm, melody, and lyrical content interact with visual elements to create unified emotional experiences. Ronaldsdóttir’s choices demonstrate sophisticated awareness of these relationships.

Sound design integration also falls within the editor’s purview, particularly during action sequences where sound effects must synchronize perfectly with visual cuts. The complexity of “Bullet Train’s” action sequences required careful coordination between editorial and sound design teams to achieve the film’s distinctive audio-visual impact.

Collaborative Filmmaking and Editorial Leadership

The relationship between directors and editors represents one of cinema’s most crucial creative partnerships. Ronaldsdóttir’s continued collaboration with David Leitch across multiple projects demonstrates the value of established creative relationships in filmmaking.

Experienced editors like Ronaldsdóttir often serve as the director’s closest creative partner during post-production. They provide objective perspectives on the assembled footage while maintaining the director’s vision and the story’s integrity. This role requires diplomatic skills alongside technical and creative expertise.

The collaborative process extends beyond the director-editor relationship to include producers, visual effects supervisors, sound designers, and composers. Successful editors must coordinate with multiple departments while maintaining focus on the story’s needs and the overall production timeline.

Editorial decision-making also involves practical considerations such as runtime requirements, pacing preferences of different audiences, and technical constraints imposed by distribution methods. Ronaldsdóttir’s experience allows her to balance creative aspirations with practical requirements effectively.

The Future of Action Cinema Editing

Ronaldsdóttir’s work on “Bullet Train” represents current trends in action cinema editing while pointing toward future developments in the field. The integration of LED wall technology, complex visual effects, and innovative sound design creates new possibilities for editorial creativity.

Emerging technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and interactive storytelling will require editors to develop new skills while maintaining fundamental storytelling principles. The success of editors like Ronaldsdóttir suggests that adaptability and creative vision remain more important than mastery of any specific technology.

The increasing complexity of modern action films also demands greater collaboration between editorial and other post-production departments. Editors must understand visual effects workflows, sound design principles, and color grading processes to contribute to the collaborative filmmaking process effectively.

Lessons from a Master Editor

Elísabet Ronaldsdóttir’s approach to editing “Bullet Train” offers valuable insights for aspiring editors and film enthusiasts. Her ability to balance technical requirements with creative vision demonstrates the sophisticated skill set required for modern film editing.

The importance of understanding story structure, character development, and visual language transcends specific technologies or genres. These fundamental skills enable editors to adapt to new challenges and contribute meaningfully to the collaborative filmmaking process.

Ronaldsdóttir’s career also illustrates the value of building long-term creative relationships and developing expertise across multiple projects and genres. Her progression from early Danish productions to major Hollywood films shows how dedication and skill development can lead to opportunities at the highest levels of filmmaking.
Her work reminds us that editing serves the story above all other considerations. Technical innovation and creative flourishes must enhance rather than distract from the narrative’s core purpose: engaging audiences and conveying meaningful experiences through the medium of cinema.