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The Platform Movie Review

The Platform (El Hoyo) is a 2020 science fiction thriller horror film directed by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia and starring Ivan Massague. It’s a brutal, but very entertaining flick.

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“Obviously“

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In the future, prisoners housed in vertical cells watch as inmates in the upper cells are fed while those below starve. Needless to say, this movie’s premise is utterly unique, fascinating and a great material for endless entertaining scenarios that were so well executed. The execution of this premise is mostly great, though I did have some reservations about it here and there.

Some may say that the metaphor is too on-the-nose, but I found it great. The movie clearly stands for society itself where the richest get to eat most while those in the lower strata are left with less or even no food whatsoever. What I admired about the film is its anti-capitalist sentiment as I myself share it, so finally seeing it so prominently portrayed in this genre was wonderful. But above all else, the film showcases the vast differences in the class system, no matter if it’s built on socialism or capitalism.

The movie succeeds as a very strong SF parable that also deals with humanity or lack thereof in such gruesome circumstances, and how most would be reduced to cannibalistic, animalistic monsters when their survival is put into question. Above all else, the movie’s world building is amazing. The various floors are so well utilized, the switching of the floors made the movie consistently intense and twisted, the various dark plot developments and murders made it unpredictable, and the machinations of this entire building are very well thought out, especially the food.

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However, there are two problems here that really prevented The Platform from reaching greatness. One is its very disappointing, almost anti-climactic ending. The entire third act is messy in my opinion, and maybe it was to be expected that such a strong, clever premise would wear itself out toward its end, but I still expected that they would stick the landing.

The second issue is the gore. I do realize that some people may like this batshit insane level of blood and bodily fluids, but I personally found it overwhelming and in some instances even unnecessary. The movie’s too brutal in some sections, thus making it unpleasant to stomach the worst such sequences.

The Platform is technically a terrific feature. It’s the type of movie that could have been made on the cheap, but still look cinematic and full of quality aspects. The floors again look excellent, the dark atmosphere is very memorable and the feasting on the food was portrayed in a very animalistic, properly manic manner that made those scenes uncomfortable in just the right way.

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The editing is fantastic, the direction is quite strong and the dialogue is superb throughout. I also found its characters very interesting and ultimately quite well developed, especially for this genre. Goreng is a relatable protagonist as the most human and civilized of the bunch. Ivan Massague is great in the role. Imoguiri is highly likable while Trimagasi is the most fun of the bunch as this vile, but very amusing older man full of great lines of dialogue.

The Platform has two flaws that prevented it from reaching greatness. One is its very disappointing, anti-climactic ending. The other is its batshit insane level of gore and bodily fluids. Other than those issues, this is a stupendous Spanish SF thriller/horror flick that benefits from an instantly fascinating premise, excellent world building, many unpredictable scenarios and memorable characters. It’s a highly entertaining, but also clever film that acts as a metaphor on society and the class system with prominent anti-capitalist sentiments.