As the movie industry continues to churn out sequel after sequel, it appears that many struggle to live up to the original source’s acclaim. Among them is Netflix’s much-anticipated follow-up to its acclaimed Spanish dystopian thriller, The Platform. Originally released during the pandemic, the first film captured audiences with its novel portrayal of societal constructs, compelling them to look beyond the surface. Now, The Platform 2 aims to delve even deeper into this unsettling universe of hierarchy, survival, and societal commentary.
The original film took us inside the walls of a Vertical Self-Management Center, where inhabitants found themselves on different levels each month. The central mechanism of their survival — and ultimately of the narrative’s tension — was a platform descending through the levels, laden with a buffet of food that grows increasingly sparse. Those on the lower levels often faced hunger and chaos, a stark metaphor for inequality. The Platform 2 attempts to expand upon this premise, diving headlong into metaphor while grappling with weighty themes.
In stark contrast to many sequels that provide a reintroduction or recap, The Platform 2 launches viewers directly into its ominous universe without prelude. Immediacy is the name of the game as the sequel re-establishes the eerie atmosphere of the pit. This time, however, an attempt at order is introduced. Viewers are quickly acquainted with the newly established system: each inmate selects their favorite dish, and once inside, they’re to consume only what they preselected or trade with consent. Yet, predictably, some prisoners break ranks, challenging the logic and morality of the system installed, and forcing the audience to ponder larger ethical questions.
As with its predecessor, The Platform 2 moves at a relentless pace. This hurried tempo, maintained by filmmaker’s skilled direction, distracts from any fatigue that may arise from returning to the same sinister building with only a handful of key characters navigating its floors. The hefty symbolism that set the original apart is preserved here and arguably intensified.
. The moment the system’s rules are disregarded, chaos ensues, with residents Perempuan (portrayed by Milena Smit) and Zamiatin (played by Hovik Keuchkerian) bearing witness to this collapse of order. Thrust into the turmoil, they engage with this damning societal allegory and uncover the existence of ‘the anointed ones’ — individuals who have encountered ‘the Master’ and now endeavor to perpetuate a fair distribution of resources.
The Platform 2 does not shy away from overt allusions to real-world issues, capitalism, and religious motifs, keeping these at the franchise’s core. The Master is a thinly-veiled symbol of a messiah, and the film echoes Biblical imagery with scenes such as Perempuan hallucinating a version of ‘The Last Supper.’ The towering structure itself spans 333 levels, populated by two inmates each — the number 666 materializing as yet another symbolic stratagem within its layers.
The narrative shines when exploring Perempuan’s arc from passive observer to cultist, and from enforcer to revolter. The filmmakers excel in treating her trajectory, albeit within a labyrinthine plot. Bright ideas emerge, such as her cellmate’s talk of imaginary numbers manifesting as her imaginary confidant, or the mirroring of her life outside with art at the story’s conclusion.
Still, the sequel’s brilliance is intermittently marred by other choices. Secondary characters fleetingly enter and exit the story, making it difficult to form a lasting connection or emotional investment. Unlike the empathetic journey we embarked upon with Goreng in the first film, here, the intricacies of human nature clash with the outlined, lacking in emotional depth.
Ultimately, The Platform 2 speaks to a familiar struggle encountered in numerous sequels: justifying its own existence. The plot can feel as empty as the lower levels’ diminishing plates of food. Problems such as clunky English dubbing further detract from the overall experience. Where The Platform was a sumptuous feast offering something for each viewer, its follow-up resembles a narrowly constructed meal, leaving some viewers unfulfilled.
Though not quite reaching the heights (or depths) of its predecessor, The Platform 2 is currently accessible for streaming on Netflix, inviting viewers to step once more into its disturbing realm.
Published – October 05, 2024, 06:20 pm IST
World Cinema / Television
