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:
