Viewers can’t look away from the ‘unexpected’ thriller (Image: Netflix/YouTube)
‘Brace yourselves’, reads one audience review of a ‘masterpiece’ dystopian film streaming on Netflix – and truer words have never been spoken.
A dystopian thriller drama has utterly captivated viewers, who find themselves torn between admiration and revulsion towards the movie, due to its intensely provocative storyline.
While some viewers have drawn comparisons to The Twilight Zone, others have admitted the film lingers in their thoughts – yet they’ll ‘never ever watch it again’. However, audiences do agree on one thing – this is a film that demands to be seen.
Originally produced in Spanish, The Platform is a 2019 dystopian thriller that has completely transfixed viewers who find themselves unable to look away.
Helmed by director Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia, with a screenplay adapted from a theatre script by David Desola and Pedro Rivero, The Platform has been hailed as ‘absolute gold’ by audiences – though fans are keen to warn that this is strictly not one to watch on a full stomach, reports Wales Online.
The ‘masterpiece’ dystopian thriller is streaming on Netflix (Image: Netflix)
The dystopian thriller made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2019, where it claimed the People’s Choice Award for Midnight Madness. It was at TIFF that the film secured a global streaming agreement with Netflix.
The Platform opened in Spanish cinemas on 8 November 2019, generating $1.1 million at the box office, before arriving on Netflix on 20 March 2020 – precisely as the world entered lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Platform’s official synopsis reads: “In a prison where inmates are fed on a descending platform, those on the upper levels take more than their fair share while those below are left to starve on scraps and one man decides to change the system.”
The film features Iván Massagué, Antonia San Juan, Zorion Eguileor, Emilio Buale Coka and Alexandra Masangkay, and the dystopian thriller was shot in chronological order, as the lead actor, Iván, shed 12kg (26lbs) during the six-week filming period to genuinely depict his character’s physical decline.
The concrete prison cells depicted in the picture were constructed specifically for the production inside a Red Cross facility at a port in Bilbao in northern Spain.
Fans say the film will stick with you for a long time. (Image: Netflix)
Due to its pandemic-era release, The Platform became enormously popular with viewers as it appeared to reflect society and its greed during a period when stories of individuals excessively hoarding toilet paper, food, and other necessities were widespread.
Both audiences and critics have embraced this dystopian Netflix thriller, with one reviewer cautioning: “The Platform leaves you craving more. A word of a warning: it’s probably best to go into this film on an empty stomach.”
Another critic said: “A Twilight Zone-level mind-bender mixed with a dark psychological horror film full of pointed social commentary.”
While one reviewer said: “I’m glad I watched The Platform. I think about it often. But I will never, ever watch it again.”
Yet another reviewer added: “What’s the point of watching something scary as hell when life is scary as hell? To that I’ll respond with: take a chance. The Platform is smart, scary, and has so very much to say. It’s the kind of film that shouldn’t be ignored.”
Audiences have been left equally enthralled, with one fan writing: “AMAZINGLY DONE! Props to everybody the acting is so good it feels too real and this whole concept and story is just so touching, absolute gold.”
Audiences have labelled it a ‘dystopian masterpiece’ (Image: Netflix/YouTube)
Another viewer’s review reads: “An original, thrilling, unexpected, and Netflix original. With action, drama, survival of the fittest type of setting, humanity, and an open ending. It keeps you wondering until it’s final conclusion. I like these type of movies.”
While one fan of the film said: “This is one of my favorite thrillers of all time!! The storyline and the characters are fantastic. Five starts for me!!”.
One audience review states: “The Platform is one of those movies that sticks with you long after the credits roll. It’s not your typical horror flick, though it definitely has some gruesome moments. This isn’t about jump scares, it’s about a terrifying concept that’s surprisingly relevant to our world. The directing is brilliant. They keep the tension high throughout. The script is sharp and thought-provoking. The Platform is a disturbing and unforgettable cinematic experience.”
Another fan of the film added: “If you think you will see an empty sci-fi horror thing, better pass because you ruin the grade of the movie. This is a dystopian masterpiece. Next to the classics of all time.”
The Platform is available to stream on Netflix.
