Warning! This post contains spoilers for The Platform 2.

Netflix sci-fi movie progresses, the two characters, Zamiatin and Perempuan, interact with their neighbors and learn how the population in the prison is divided into two groups: the loyalists and the barbarians.

Believing that one group's philosophies are far more morally righteous than the other's, Perempuan chooses to become a loyalist. However, her journey in the central prison is marred with several challenges and tragedies that force her to change her mind about how she perceives people from both groups. With this, The Platform 2 effectively uses both groups as narrative devices to raise many intriguing questions surrounding themes of morality, human biases, and loyalty.

The Loyalists & Their Motive In The Platform 2 Explained

The Loyalists Hope To Bring Solidarity In The Pit

Perempuan and Zamiatin's first in the vertical prison is with two loyalists who convince them to eat only the food they ordered before entering the prison. They claim that solidarity will eventually help them ensure that everyone gets an equal share of resources in the prison, with no one dying from hunger. Believing that the loyalists' philosophy promotes equality in the prison, Perempuan blindly follows them, but Zamiatin struggles to adapt. He often feels tempted by the idea of feasting on someone else's food and even secretly chomps down a few items that do not belong to him.

Things take a grim turn when the two characters end up in one of the lower levels of the prison and get access to no food. With no food reaching their level, they soon understand the importance of the loyalists' law and how it can ensure that even people in the lower levels are well-fed. The characters also learn that the loyalists must enforce their socialist message. If someone refuses to follow their rules and consumes more than they are expected to, the four people directly above them will have to serve them justice by killing them.

The Barbarians & Their Rebellion In The Platform 2 Explained

The Barbarians Serve Themselves In The Platform 2

The Barbarians have a capitalist mindset in The Platform 2. Instead of believing in solidarity, they serve themselves by consuming as much food as they can when given the opportunity. They realize they may not always end up in one of the higher levels of the central vertical prison. Therefore, when they get access to an abundance of food, they must seize the moment and indulge because they will eventually face the pains and burdens of scarcity in the lower levels.

Dagin Babi's ruthlessness prompts Perempuan to start a rebellion with the barbarians, where she moves from one level to another, convincing many to unite against the Anointed One's oppressive methods.

After initially ing the loyalists, Perempuan sees all the extreme lengths they go to secure solidarity in the prison. Their supreme leader, Dagin Babi, shows no mercy even toward those who unknowingly end up misinterpreting the law and mercilessly kills those who violate his rules twice. Dagin Babi's ruthlessness prompts Perempuan to start a rebellion with the barbarians, where she moves from one level to another, convincing many to unite against the Anointed One's oppressive methods.

To fight back, Dagin Babi and his loyalists devise a plan. They ensure that no food reaches the level where the Barbarians set up their base, believing they will gradually weaken due to lack of food. Once the Barbarians are weak enough to be easily subdued, Dagin Babi hopes to crush their rebellion and reassert his dominance. However, the Barbarians refuse to back down and resort to cannibalism to ensure their survival. This eventually forces Dagin Babi and his army to wage war against the Barbarians, which does not end well for either faction.

How The Two Factions Tie Into The Platform 2's Social Themes

The Movie Critiques Both Socialism & Capitalism Through The Two Factions

The Platform 2 initially comes off as a criticism of trickle-down economics, where the upper-level folks (representing the rich) enjoy an abundance of resources, while the lower ones barely survive. The ones on the top levels eat till they throw up, while the ones on the lower levels do not even get crumbs. However, after initially shedding light on the issues with an extremely capitalist society, The Platform 2 also portrays how socialism may not be as ideal as it seems.

By portraying Dagin Babi's oppressive rule, The Platform 2 shows how a system designed to promote solidarity is authoritative and unfair. It champions communal and unity but contradicts itself by promoting violence and brutality. With this, 's ending arc invites viewers to be critical of both economic systems instead of encouraging them to one over the other.

The Platform 2

R

Horror

Sci-Fi

Thriller

Drama

6.8/10

Release Date

October 1, 2024

The Platform 2 is the follow-up to the original dystopian thriller set in a vertical prison. This installment explores new layers of its brutal regime, delving deeper into its social hierarchy and survival dynamics. Directed by an unknown filmmaker, the sequel continues to challenge its characters' moral boundaries.

Cast

Milena Smit, Hovik Keuchkerian, Natalia Tena, Oscar Jaenada, Ivan Massagué, Zorion Eguileor, Bastien Ughetto, Armando Buika, Pedro Bachura, Antonia San Juan, Alexandra Masangkay, Emilio Buale, Gorka Zufiaurre, Ken Appledorn, Hoji Fortuna, Mariamu Toure, Albert Pla

Director

Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia

Franchise(s)

The Platform

Studio(s)

Netflix

Distributor(s)

Netflix

Main Genre

Horror

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