The Platform

The Platform (2019), originally titled El Hoyo, is a Spanish science fiction horror-thriller film directed by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia. It explores themes of social inequality, survival, and human nature in a dystopian prison setting. The movie became a cult hit after its release on Netflix.

Summary & Plot

The Platform is set in a vertical prison system, where the inmates are housed in small, concrete cells. The prisoners live on two levels: the ones at the top get access to the best food, while those below are left with the scraps. The story focuses on a man named Goreng (played by Iván Massagué), who voluntarily enters this prison to earn a diploma, not fully understanding the horrific system that operates there.

Each day, a platform carrying food descends from the top to the lower levels, stopping for a set amount of time on each floor. The prisoners at the top levels get first pick of the food, and those on the lower levels are left with whatever remains. Over time, the hunger and desperation among the lower-level inmates escalate, leading to violence, starvation, and a breakdown of order.

Goreng’s experience in this brutal system introduces the audience to different inmates, each of whom has their own way of coping with the oppression. As Goreng descends to deeper levels, he tries to survive while questioning the system’s morality. He befriends a fellow prisoner named Trimagasi (Zorion Eguileor) and learns the shocking realities of the prison’s hierarchy. The film becomes an allegory for societal inequality, reflecting how resources are distributed unequally, and how those at the top thrive while those below are left to struggle.

The plot continues as Goreng and a fellow inmate, Baharat (a determined character played by Emilio Buale), attempt to change the system by sending a message to the prison’s administrators. They try to use the platform system to redistribute food evenly across all levels in a bid to break the cycle of inequality. The movie culminates in a shocking and ambiguous ending.

Main Characters and Actors

• Goreng (Iván Massagué): The protagonist who enters the prison with idealistic intentions, only to learn about the brutal reality of the system.
• Trimagasi (Zorion Eguileor): An older inmate who becomes Goreng’s first cellmate and serves as an early guide to the prison’s harsh realities.
• Baharat (Emilio Buale): A fellow prisoner who works with Goreng to enact a change in the system.
• Imoguiri (Antonia San Juan): A woman who is trapped in the system and tries to reason with Goreng.
• Miharu (Alexandra Masangkay): A mysterious character who is also part of the prison’s grim reality and has her own motivations for being there.

Themes and Symbolism

• Social Inequality: The film is a direct commentary on class divisions. The higher levels represent the privileged class who consume most of the resources, while those below struggle to survive with limited access to sustenance.
• Human Nature and Survival: The Platform presents a brutal study of human nature when pushed to extreme limits. It explores how individuals react to scarcity and power, often resorting to violence or selfishness.
• Sacrifice and Altruism: Throughout the film, there are attempts by the protagonist and other characters to challenge the system by sharing resources, representing the idea of sacrifice for the greater good, despite the hopelessness of the situation.

Awards and Recognition

While the film was not a major player in traditional Hollywood award circuits, The Platform gained recognition in international film festivals and received several awards:

• Sitges Film Festival: The film won the Best Feature Film award, reflecting its strong impact on audiences and critics.
• Fantastic Fest: It won the Best Horror Feature award, cementing its status in the horror genre.
• Best Film at the Málaga Spanish Film Festival: The film was awarded for its striking portrayal of dystopian themes and social commentary.

Reception

Critically, The Platform received mixed-to-positive reviews. Some praised its social message, atmosphere, and brutal portrayal of human desperation, while others criticized its pacing and certain aspects of the plot. The film’s strong political undertones resonated with audiences, particularly those interested in dystopian and social-issue films. It also drew comparisons to other works like Cube and Snowpiercer for its setting and critique of hierarchical systems.

Conclusion

In the end, The Platform is a chilling and disturbing exploration of the extreme consequences of inequality and the survival instincts that arise in such a system. The film’s ambiguous ending forces the audience to reflect on the cyclical nature of societal oppression and the ethical dilemmas faced by individuals in extreme situations. Its open-ended conclusion invites viewers to interpret the fate of the characters and the broader implications of the dystopian world they inhabit.

The film may not offer clear answers, but its raw portrayal of human behavior under duress leaves a lasting impression on its audience.