The Platform (2019) Movie Review

 

The Platform (Original title: El hoyo) | 2019 | 1h 34m
Genre: Dystopian Sci-Fi/Prison Drama/Horror/Mystery/Sci-Fi/Thriller | Country: Spain
Director: Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia | Writers: David Desola, Pedro Rivero
Cast: Ivan Massagué, Zorion Eguileor, Antonia San Juan
IMDB: 7.0
My Rate: 9/10

Goreng chooses to enter the Vertical Self-Management Center, which turns out to be a prison with a platform system that does not match his expectations. Hunger causes the inmates to do anything to survive, including eating their cellmates, which eventually makes Goreng feel he must take the initiative to bring change for a better system.

Warning:

Contains scenes of violence, sex, nudity, strong language, and cannibalism.

 

Synopsis:

Goreng (Iván Massagué) voluntarily chooses to enter the Vertical Self-Management Center. He wakes up in a room labeled '48' with a roommate named Trimagasi (Zorion Eguileor). Goreng feels confused about the condition of the place where they live, which has a large hole in the middle of the room and rooms arranged in levels.

Trimagasi briefly explains the system in that place. The number 48 represents the level where they live. They will be given food through a platform that automatically moves through the hole. Each level is given only two minutes to enjoy the food as much as they want. Besides that, they can only eat when the platform is at their level. If this rule is violated, punishment in the form of temperature changes at their level will occur.

Goreng eventually begins to adapt to the system in that place. One day, a woman descends along with their food. The woman is Miharu, who periodically rides the platform to search for her child. Trimagasi asks Goreng to ignore her, but Goreng feels pity for Miharu, especially after seeing Miharu in danger at the level below.

The relationship between Goreng and Trimagasi grows closer. Trimagasi brings a knife as the item he brought into the building, while Goreng brings a book. Goreng often reads the book to Trimagasi. Everything changes when they wake up at a lower cell level.

Every month, their levels are randomly changed. Trimagasi and Goreng wake up on level 171, where the chance of getting food is very slim. Trimagasi ties Goreng to his bed and tries to enjoy his meat on the seventh day.

Miharu accidentally sees Trimagasi cutting Goreng’s flesh. Miharu tries to save Goreng and causes Trimagasi’s death. Goreng then loses consciousness due to heavy blood loss. Miharu tries to care for him and gives Trimagasi’s meat as food.

Goreng, who initially did not want to eat Trimagasi’s body, eventually eats it as well. Trimagasi’s shadows begin to appear and fill his mind. Gradually, Goreng’s personality and perspective change until he wakes up at a different level with his new roommate.

Will Goreng be able to survive in that place?

 

Review:

The Platform (2019) has a story idea with a deep message. According to Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia, the director, the main message is that "humanity will have to move towards the fair distribution of wealth." He also wants to show the importance of individual initiative to stimulate change, especially in politics.

The message is conveyed very well on screen. The name used for the platform is "Vertical Self-Management Center," which is actually a prison using a platform or level system. Although the set only consists of two prison levels, with the help of visual effects, it looks very real.

Human nature is portrayed very well through symbols in the scenes. How greed and selfishness cause others to suffer. Cannibalism symbolizes how humans will do anything to survive. Yet, we also see people trying to find win-win solutions for the situation.

The story background and characters are built quite well. The reasons why Goreng ends up in that place and how the system works are shown. Other characters interacting with Goreng are also explained well, although there is no clear explanation about the origin of the place or how people inside know about it. Because it seems no one really knows the system there.

The story conflict is presented very well, starting from the main character realizing the cruelty of the system. Viewers are shown tense scenes. Conflicts occur not only between characters but also internally within the main character, especially with the illusions and whispers he experiences.

The story resolution is done very well. The main character’s development is clear, from being indifferent and focused only on survival to trying to make changes for all inhabitants. There is also an unpredictable twist from the start.

The acting is impressive and shows total commitment from every actor. The expressions and emotions are truly amazing. Makeup and costumes fit the scenes and story. The blood and body parts look very realistic.

The use of effects and cinematography is also very good. As mentioned earlier, the levels seen through the hole in the room are just effects used in post-production. However, the result looks so real as if the levels truly extend as far as the eye can see. Important details are also presented very well.

The choice of music and sound effects is really good. The color composition is also well presented. Transitions from one scene to another flow smoothly.

Unfortunately, there are a few unanswered questions. There is a dialogue where Trimagasi says he only needs to survive one more month before his sentence ends. However, it is not shown whether anyone truly leaves the place safely after their sentence finishes. It seems this does not happen, as in another dialogue by Imoguiri, it is said that no one has ever left the place after entering.

As an Indonesian, the main character’s name is a bit amusing. ‘Goreng’ in Indonesian means ‘Fried’ in English. Logically, it’s a bit unusual for someone to be named ‘Fried.’ Hehe.

Overall, this film is worth watching for psychology film lovers. Although the theme is a bit heavy, it is truly worth it.

 

Memorable scene:

Goreng wakes up to find Imoguiri has hanged herself in the cell. Hallucinations begin to haunt his mind. The shadows of Trimagasi and Imoguiri keep talking and persuading him to eat Imoguiri’s flesh as his food, making Goreng feel conflicted. In this scene, we see how Goreng struggles strongly not to listen to the haunting whispers.

In real life, this often happens when we are in desperate situations, faced with difficult choices between right and wrong. Often, it is hard for someone to hold on to their life principles and integrity.

 

Memorable dialogue:

"Change never happen spontaneously, lady."

 

Ending:

Cliffhanger Ending

 

Recommendation:

Must Watch

 

(Aluna)