There are three kinds of people: the ones above, the ones below, and the ones who watched The Platform 2 without watching the first release in 2019. As someone who jumped straight into this prequel without any prior context, I can say that I’m in the latter—starving for answers.
Are you wondering if the confusion is intentional or just part of the chaos? This review will look at the metaphors, technicalities, and the relation of Filipino struggle with the film. Read on for my take.
The Vertical Prison From Top to Bottom
No spoilers, but The Platform 2, directed by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia, continues its dystopian horror, known for being “a sharp commentary on social inequality.” The story centers on a vertical prison called “the pit.” There are 333 levels with a moving platform distributing food from top to bottom.
Each pairing emphasizes how individual choices can ripple through the collective struggle. Those at the top eat well, while those below fight over scraps—or worse, nothing. It’s a grim system that feels like an allegory for power and resource distribution. As the movie goes along, I feel more lost, both literally and figuratively.
‘Test of Humanity’: Thoughts on Prequel
Unlike The Platform that is a projection of resistance to a system that infringes liberation, Platform 2 shifts to enforcing law and order. These ideas—freedom versus control—mirror the political divide, where neither extreme leads to social solidarity.
Too much freedom leads to selfishness, as people prioritize their survival over the well-being of others. In contrast, strict rules and hierarchy can suffocate compassion. However, even in this heavily regulated system, the institution bends its rules when it suits its agenda. This raises an important point: people who claim to uphold rules can also go against them.
For me, this makes Platform 2 feel like a test of humanity. No matter what system is being implemented, we will never escape the struggle of existence because of our obvious greed.
Metaphor for Those Who Eat and Those Who Suffer
Requiring some mental work, The Platform 2 is not meant to be absorbed on a surface level. As Trimagasi states, “We’re prisoners of ourselves.” This one-liner explains that both the highest and lowest of the social strata can have absolute freedom unless they confront the moral dilemmas from their circumstances. It illustrates how those at the top are still prisoners of their own greed, fear, and the need to maintain their status.
Conversely, people at the bottom suffer not just from hunger but from a cycle of survival that often prioritizes self-interest over collective well-being.
The food distribution emphasizes that the act of eating is tied to the suffering of others. This imbalance is compounded by children’s brief yet impactful appearances, who embody innocence and potential. Their presence serves as a reminder that when children are raised in environments steeped in deceit and selfishness, they are likely to inherit those values. This creates a reality where survival breeds further inequality.
Descending into Level 333: Technical Aspects
Watching The Platform 2 is like returning to a once-stunning buffet, only to find that the dishes have lost some flavor. Some of the ideas seems reheated instead of fully developed. But just like the pit, it has its own levels—and the technical aspects are a part of that experience.
So, let’s take a closer look and see how well it stacks up visually, audibly, and in terms of the performances that drive the story forward.
The Dystopian Cinematography & Soundtrack
Heightening, the cinematography does an excellent job of capturing the oppressive atmosphere, with tight shots and dim lighting that reinforce the feeling of being trapped. The set design, focusing on the harsh vertical structure of the prison, is also striking. However, there’s a certain repetitiveness to it—once you’ve seen one level, you’ve seen them all.
As for the soundtrack, it does its job in increasing the tension, though it’s not particularly memorable. It’s effective, but doesn’t stand out in a way that complements deeper themes.
All in all, this leads me to question: Are filmmakers relying too much on the visuals to carry the weight of the film’s message?
Actors Who Devoured The Screen
Actors literally devoured the screen in this one. Milena Smit, playing out Perempuan delivers a raw and haunting performance. Her character arc is one of self-punishment and redemption. She internalizes it so profoundly that every glance, every subtle movement, is intact. It just slacks off with the backstory because there is no depth in her motivations. Meanwhile, the supporting casts—especially Hovik Keuchkerian (Zamiatin)—add effective conflict and intensity.
Wordy or Weighty? The Power (and Pitfalls) of Dialogue
In terms of the whole story and dialogue, it is the kind of film where when someone asks you the gist, you will end up not saying anything because there is no satisfying narrative to chew on.
The conversations between characters often serve as heavy-handed metaphors, but they don’t provide enough substance to hold the plot together. Take the scene where prisoners attempt to self-govern through a set of rules, known as The Law, dictating what food items they can consume as a sample. This setup, which intends to create an equitable distribution of resources from level 0 to 333, poses more questions.
Everything becomes more complicated by introducing a messiah figure who “sustains” others by sacrificing bits of his flesh. Religiously, it recalls the Christian imagery of Jesus sacrificing himself for the salvation of others. It can evoke the messianic complex often attached to political leaders who are idolized despite questionable methods. On the other hand, it may reflect the exploitation of those who give everything but receive little in return. These are ideas that are underexplored serving as mere hints—making the overall message feels disconnected.
A Personal Take: Platform 2 in the Philippine Context
Disturbingly familiar, Platform 2 reflects the inequalities present in the Philippines. Those at the top are feasting and protecting their interests while turning a blind eye to those below with nothing left to eat. We live in a system where resources rarely reach those who most need them. It’s an unsettling parallel to how laws and policies reach approval to strengthen the grip of leaders sitting in the pit.
Promises are made but rarely kept, and the masses are left to bear the burden of a broken system.
Gutting Hunger for Power of the Higher Levels
“Nobody should ever benefit from the murder of a comrade,” this thought-provoking excerpt reflects the nature of politicking in the country. The hunger for status and privilege often becomes a meal swallowed at the expense of others. Yet, I know that it is the determination of the young ones that can ignite hope for a future where human rights exists and no one is left hungry.
Final Verdict: A Full Course or Starving for Meaning?
This movie is not for everyone. It draws a line between confusion and insight, where viewers’ interpretations are the basis. The confusion might be part of the metaphor, reflecting the complexities of our own experiences or plainly frustrating. As for me, while it left me scratching my head, the film did stir reflection on societal issues, especially in the Philippine context.
For the most part, The Platform 2 is more of an unfinished meal than a full-course experience. It’s not for people seeking clarity. They are for the ones craving food for thoughts buried in confusion.