Hi all!

Today I am breaking down an underrated foreign horror duology – The Platform & The Platform 2. I will be keeping this post spoiler free. Without further ado, let’s get into it! 

The Platform (2019) 

In a prison where inmates are fed on a descending platform, those on the upper levels take more than their fair share, while those below are left to starve on scraps. One man decides to change the system…

Directed by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia, this Spanish horror film spreads the universal message that those with the most privilege, will always take more than their fair share. Essentially, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Despite the brutality of the system, the one ‘fair’ rule is that the inmates must routinely change floors, experiencing what it is like to be both well-fed and starved. The lower down you are, the expectation is that unless you feast on your inmate, you will die from hunger. Our main character, Goreng, enters the prison voluntarily with a stark realisation – only humanity can save the situation. Provided those on the higher levels restrain themselves, there could potentially be enough for everybody. 

The direction this movie goes in serves to highlight that we can never depend on the kindness of strangers. It really is every man for himself. However, it is still worth fighting for, no matter the resistance. The ending is a beacon of hope. It only takes one person to make a change.

The Platform 2 (2024) 

After a mysterious leader imposes his law in a brutal system of vertical cells, a new arrival battles against a dubious food distribution method.

A new story emerges in the The Platform 2. In this instalment, the prisoners are bound by one rule. You take only the food listed as your favourite, prior to imprisonment. You also have the option to swap with another prisoner. If you don’t abide, you will be brutally murdered by cult leader, Dagin Babi, and his group of barbarians. In their own twisted way, they believe this to be the best path to peace. However, it isn’t long before our new main character, Perempuan, revolts against the extreme system. 

Be prepared for twists, turns and familiar faces, as the brutality turns up several notches. I’ll admit, the ending was a little confusing. I had to look up an explanation afterwards. Whilst it didn’t grab my attention in quite the same way as the original, I really enjoyed being back in the world. The main character was a strong woman, with a point to prove. The message remains abundantly clear: our societal/economic structures are failing us and more importantly, future generations. 

Thank you so much for reading! Let me know if you have watched The Platform and The Platform 2. 

Peace & Love xoxo