Friday, January 17, 2025

The Platform 2 (2024)

 
 
Streaming Service: Netflix 
Movie Name/Year: The Platform 2 (2024)
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Length: 1h 39min
Rating: TV-MA
Director: Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia
Writers: Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia, Pedro Rivero, David Desola, Egoitz Moreno
Actors: Milena Smit, Hovik Keuchkerian, Natalia Tena, Óscar Jaenada, Ivan Massagué, Zorion Eguileor, Bastien Ughetto, Armando Buika, Pedro Bachura, Antonia San Juan, Alexandra Masangkay, Emilio Buale, Albert Pla, Gorka Zufiaurre, Ken Appledorn, Hoji Fortuna, Mariamu Toure, Sesinou Henriette, Patty Bonet, Tadashi Ito
 
Metacritic Blurb: As a mysterious leader imposes their rule in the Platform, a new resident becomes embroiled in the battle against this controversial method to fight the brutal feeding system. But when eating from the wrong plate becomes a death sentence, how far would you be willing to go to save your life?
 
 
Selina’s Point of View:
What do I think of The Platform 2? I think my back is killing me.
 
I didn’t move a muscle during the entire film. I’ll be honest, I’m not even sure I was breathing. It had the same achingly impressive suspense that The Platform (2019) did. In fact, it was completely up to the level of the original film. For a sequel to do that is impressive.
 
The social commentary was also on point. It shined a light on how a law that looks good on paper could be seen as unfair. It also showed how bad enforcement of a law could be just as detrimental as if it did not exist in the first place. It was superbly done.
 
 
I didn’t remember much about the first film. After all, it was from the pre-COVID era and the whole world changed shortly after. Never-the-less, I remembered enough to be shocked when I realized it was a prequel. It’s possible I knew that from the trailers, but it’s been long enough that it completely slipped my mind. I was expecting a more sequel-esk plot. That little twist was interesting. It really brought out the differences between the loyalists and the barbarians.
 
There’s also a short scene after the start of the credits that ties everything together in a way I never expected. I’m still a little confused by it, but not in a bad way.
 
I loved The Platform 2. I’ll follow the story as far as they want to take it.
 
 
Cat’s Point of View:
The Platform (2019) may not have been one of my favorite movies, but it certainly stuck with me after we watched it for review in April 2020. I suppose you could say that it was on our “Pandemic Watch List,” even though it was at the very beginning and before things really got wonky. In my review, I pondered whether or not Netflix would revisit the story and provide a sequel. Now I have my answer – even if it wasn't all that I was hoping for.
 
I'll clarify that statement a little.
 
I noted that I wasn't just interested in revisiting the concept, but instead was hoping to learn more about the world or time period that brought about “the pit” and the human social experiment that went with it. Alas, that was not what happened.
 
My mild disappointment aside, that didn't really impact my viewing experience for this sequel. When I watched the trailers, it was clear that The Platform 2 was going to be approaching the story a little differently. Initially, I wasn't even sure if it was going to be tied to the original film. During my watch-through, however, it clicked that I'd seen one of the characters before. By the end, the connections became more clear. Some of the ties that bind the 2 films are more overt, but there's also a more subtle thread that weaves them together – both explanations of which would be spoilers.
 
 
The Platform 2 doesn't have as much mystery as the first film, because we know how the titular platform system works by the time we reach this second experience. (If you haven't watched the first movie, this may all just be more confusing. I'd recommend watching in order.) There's definitely more brutality and shock-value here than examined in the first installment.
 
This story was clearly another slap-in-the-face social commentary. There were a few Uncanny Valley moments that were a little disturbing, but the take on how the extreme enforcement of laws without examination of mitigating circumstances allowing flexibility was clear. It also gives us a hard look at the dark side of those with the power to act on a savior complex and fanatical zealots.
 
I'd have to say that out of the 2 films, the first had more impact. It's even worked its way into culinary arts pop culture. Network television has a reality cooking competition show with Gordon Ramsay (MasterChef USA, Kitchen Nightmares, Hell's Kitchen) called Next Level Chef (2022-). It features the central platform of food that travels through 3 levels, giving chefs on the top first pick and those on the bottom are stuck with whatever's left. (Let me tell you, I cackled when I saw the first preview ad for that show because I instantly recognized where they got the idea.) While I really enjoy the cooking show, and in hindsight I would give The Platform a higher rating, I can't say the same for this sequel.
 
That doesn't take away from the fact that this new film was just as expertly put together and well-executed as the first. It does have its strengths, and I was on the edge of my seat throughout.
 
The Platform 2 went to some really bizarre places and just ultimately left me feeling unsatisfied and unsettled. At the same time, if they decide to turn this into a trilogy, I'd still watch in hopes of learning more about the lore of the twisted Pit and any further connections between those trapped in it.
 
 
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 35%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 25%
Metascore – 45%
Metacritic User Score – 4.2/10
IMDB Score – 4.9/10
 
Trust the Dice: Selina’s Rating – 5/5
Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 3.5/5
 
Movie Trailer: