Synopsis
The Platform 2, originally known as El Hogo 2, is a newly released Spanish science fiction horror movie, which is part of A sequel Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia The first part was released in 2019, titled El Hogo, centered on an „off-the-grid“ community that dives deep into the dark ways of self-governance, where human psyches and nature come into the picture.
This sequel aims to expand horizons on the Vertical Self-Management Center (commonly known as „The Pit“), a massively towering jail-like edifice revealing the deepest of human instincts and human philosophical questions.
In contrast to the narrative of Goreng and his consequent descent through the Platform levels, this second retelling focuses on Perempuán, a solo living reclusive artist who puts herself into the pit as a form of self punishment for a past tragedy. She lives in hiding as an intelligence-enhanced adult for several years until the first film takes place and undergoes immense indoctrination and violence underlying the philosophies that drove the construction of the pit.
Level 24 is where Perempuán’s journey begins. Here, she shares her cell with Zamiatin, a bitter mathematician who has tried to work out if there are patterns to the level assignments. Once every day, there is an enormous platform full of food which descends through the structure, stopping for some fixed time on each level. The higher the level, the better the rations. In this version of the Pit, known as ‘The Pit’, a set of structure laws called The Law have been instilled. These laws serve as a pinnacle order governed by divine believers called the Loyalists who seem to hold the purpose of the Level’s function within the Pit. Each prisoner is allocated to their favorite delicacy and consuming anything apart from that will result in violent punishment meted out by the Anointed Ones, under the psychotic head of Dagin Babi, fervent reward enforcers.
Little by little Perempuán realizes that surival in the Pit is not only about adaptation its while resisting the incalculable indoctrination entrenched in the walls of this discipline. In her struggles to build alliances, the blurred lines between defiance and allegiance begin to raise questions about power relations within with her the tell. Mars austere chronic dystopian nightmare universe cast gas around the audience’s constraining boundless in turn mirror layered reality spiraling mercy frozen headmost deepen.
Cast and Crew
Director:
Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia
Writers:
David Desola
Pedro Rivero
Egoitz Moreno
Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia
Main Cast:
Milena Smit as Perempuán: An elusive woman with a dark history who seeks atonement.
Hovik Keuchkerian as Zamiatin: A former mathematician turned prisoner who is fixated on comprehending the system.
Natalia Tena as Sahabat: A compassionate fellow inmate who sees the illegitimacy of “The Law.”
Óscar Jaenada as Dagin Babi: The evil ruler of the Anointed Ones, the religious leader in the Pit.
Goreng is a character that Iván Massagué reprises in a cameo, linking both films.
Zorion Eguileor and Antonia San Juan also appear in flashbacks as Trimagasi and Imoguiri.
Production:
Cinematography: Jon Sangroniz
Music: Aitor Etxebarria
Editing: Haritz Zubillaga
Produced by: Basque Films
Distributed by: Netflix
Runtime: 101 minutes
Language: Spanish
Themes and Analysis
Similar to its predecessor, The Platform 2 uses the confined vertical prison as a metaphor for social stratas, privilege and systemic inequality. However, this sequel layers the metaphors with religious control and authoritarian rule.
The term “The Law”, brought forward by the Loyalists, symbolizes the much manipulation, in ways, systems of beliefs, control submission, and suppress any rebellion. Perempuán’s journey in the Pit illustrates clashes between the boundaries of spiritual doctrines and personal ethical frameworks. The film, as told by Zamiatin, shows the consequences of radical belief and unthinking adherence to dominating authority, demonstrating how—by ideals subverted institutions based on seemingly good purposes—oppression is put into practice.
Zamiatin uses chronic obsession regarding orderly numerical sequences and patterns to show the need of humanity to impose disturbing reasoning onto chaos. Attempts to rationalize the level assignments, which were utterly baffling, capture attempts to make sense of systems without justice.
The dynamic between Perempuán and Sahabat touches on themes of social solidarity and empathy within contexts intentionally crafted to dismantle human connections. Their quiet rebellion against the horrific rules of the Pit forms the emotional heart of the film.
Surrounded by a bleak and claustrophobic setting, The Platform 2 propels challenging inquiries: Is it possible for true order to exist within an unjust framework? Can rebellion stem from primal survival and wholly be justified? Most critically, does individual morality hold any significance when compassion is met with violence in the backdrop?
Critical Reception
The Platform 2 came out on October 2024 and got mixed critical reception. Discourse has emerged where some critics point out the thematic intricacy and powerful performances, while others note how the narrative seems to struggle under the burden of its philosophical aspirations.
Milena Smit’s interpretation of Perempuán shone brightest in critical discourse. The actress has been praised for depicting the latent inner conflict and strength as well as the hauntingly real metamorphosis. Óscar Jaenada is also lauded for depicting the ferocity and fanaticism of Dagin Babi.
Critics have pointed out the visual coherence with the initial film – the stifling gray walls, the haunting lights, the almost inaudible sounds – which once more accentuated the relentless atmosphere of the Pit. Yet, some reviews mentioned that the sequel has lost the elegance of simplicity in narrative the original had.
While the film tried answering its own questions about the origins of the Pit and its purpose, some viewers believed it sacrificed emotional impact for the sake of exposition. Regardless, the film’s attempt to explore more abstract philosophical and religious issues still made it important and thought-provoking in the realm of sci-fi horror.
Conclusion
The Platform 2 is an intense, unyielding sequel that expands upon the universe established in the first film. It enhances the allegorical essence of the Pit by incorporating elements of religious dogma and authoritarianism along with an already oppressive class structure, moral ambiguity, and rampant socioeconomic inequality.
Even if it wasn’t met with the same level of acclaim as its predecessor, the film still provides an insightful critique on faith, compliance, and the cost of redemption. Viewers who enjoyed the first film will find many thought-provoking ideas, metaphorically dense story aside.
Ultimately, The Platform 2 reinforces its universe’s principal message: that systems created without empathy always devour those trapped within sans compassion. Whether regarded as a cautionary tale, political critique, or chilling existential nightmare, one certainty remains: the film will stir reflection on the accepted societal norms, fixed identities, and unquestioned infrastructures people build beneath them.
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