Netflix's dystopian thriller The Platform has captivated audiences, with many hailing it as a 'masterpiece' while warning that its extreme storyline makes it a difficult watch. Viewers remain divided over whether they love or loathe the film, but they unanimously agree it demands to be seen.
A Film That Sticks With You
Some viewers have compared the film to The Twilight Zone, while others admit they frequently think about it — yet they say they will 'never ever watch it again'. One critic shared: "I'm glad I watched The Platform. I think about it often. But I will never, ever watch it again."
Originally a Spanish-language production, The Platform is a 2019 dystopian thriller directed by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia, with a screenplay adapted from a theatre script by David Desola and Pedro Rivero. Audiences have called it 'absolute gold', though fans warn it is not a film to watch on a full stomach.
From TIFF to Netflix
The film made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2019, where it won the People's Choice Award for Midnight Madness. At TIFF, it secured a worldwide streaming deal with Netflix. The Platform was released in Spanish theatres on November 8, 2019, generating $1.1 million at the box office, before landing on Netflix on March 20, 2020 — just as the world went into lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The film's official plot states: "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."
Production and Impact
The film stars Iván Massagué, Antonia San Juan, Zorion Eguileor, Emilio Buale Coka and Alexandra Masangkay. It was shot chronologically, as lead actor Iván was required to shed 12 kg (26 lbs) over the six-week production to authentically portray his character's physical decline. The concrete prison cells were constructed specifically for the production at a Red Cross facility in a port in Bilbao in northern Spain.
Due to its pandemic release, The Platform became a huge hit with audiences, appearing to reflect society and its greed at a time when reports of people hoarding toilet paper, groceries and other essentials dominated headlines. One critic cautioned: "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 reviewer described it as "A Twilight Zone-level mind-bender mixed with a dark psychological horror film full of pointed social commentary." One fan wrote: "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." Another audience review reads: "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."
One fan concluded: "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 streaming on Netflix now.
