It is highly recommended to watch The Platform (2019) and The Platform 2 before reading this review.
The Platform 2 (El Hoyo 2) is a unique sci-fi film and a sequel to The Platform (2019), which sparked significant discussion upon its release. Now available on Netflix, this prequel is directed by the same filmmaker, Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia. It stars Milena Smit, Hovik Keuchkerian, Óscar Jaenada, and Natalia Tena. Will this sequel be able to compete with the exceptional critical success of the original? Note that neither film is an easy watch.
The story begins with interviews of various volunteers entering “the hole” for different reasons. Our protagonist, Perempuan (Smit), finds herself in a cell with a large man, Zamiatin (Keuchkerian). Tensions rise as some inmates begin to take food that isn’t rightfully theirs. Chaos ensues when a group led by Dagin Babi (Jaenada) imposes their own anarchic rules.
The hole is a vertical structure that stands 333 floors tall, with a square hole in the center. Each floor contains two inmates in windowless cells, each allowed to bring one item. Inmates can communicate with those above and below them through the hole. Food is delivered on a moving platform that descends from the top floor to the bottom. If everyone only ate their fair share, no one would go hungry. However, this is never the case. Human nature and the primal need for food can disrupt social order.
Is The Platform 2 a sequel or a prequel? Despite the title and the number “two” suggesting a sequel, it’s actually a prequel. One character from the previous film, Trimagasi, played by Zorion Eguileor, makes a return. Although his name isn’t mentioned, the same actor indicates a connection. Since this character was killed in the first film, the events of this story occur prior to those events. The title choice might be puzzling, but it’s not a significant issue.
The biggest challenge lies with viewers who haven’t seen the first film. The Platform 2 is nearly impossible to understand for newcomers, and even returning viewers may find themselves lost. The exposition is minimal, and the rules of the hole are rarely explained. The fast-paced plot offers little room for reflection or comprehension. The protagonist is the only character we can truly grasp, yet even her reality, flashbacks, and hallucinations can blur together. The repetitive setting adds to the frustration of the viewing experience. Names in Indonesian are still used, just like in the first film (Goreng, “Imogiri,” Brambang, etc.). Whether this has another meaning is a different discussion.
The Platform is not an easy film for casual viewers, both visually and conceptually. Its plot relies heavily on ideas rather than narrative flow, making it difficult to grasp. The first film can be interpreted in many ways, addressing themes of justice, societal structure, class disparity, and the human-divine relationship. The Platform 2 revisits these themes, this time in a more collective and brutal manner. The hunger crisis is a significant issue that can devastate civilization on a large scale. The prequel serves as a social study of how drastically humans can change when faced with overwhelming physical demands. The concept and ideas are indeed brilliant.
Sticking to the previous concept, the strength and weakness of The Platform 2 is caught in the complexity of its narrative between reality, imagination, and flashbacks. One notable difference from the first film is the personal struggle of the main character, Perempuan, who grapples with guilt over a tragedy involving her child. Essentially, the plot becomes a symbol of the internal struggles faced by a mother unable to move on. There is a surprising connection to the previous film—whether it’s reality, hallucination, or an afterlife remains uncertain. Brilliant? Yes, but the complex narrative and the absurd, brutal visuals obscure everything. Perhaps that’s the point. Are these two films masterpieces? Only time will tell.
