The Platform 2 Review: A Dark Descent into Chaos and Control

With the rise of web series, storytelling has undergone a drastic transformation. Movies now feel fast-paced, condensing character arcs and world-building into mere minutes. While this approach works for some, it often leaves us longing for deeper narratives. This week, I dived into The Platform and its sequel The Platform 2 on Netflix. Here’s my take on The Platform 2, and whether it’s worth adding to your binge list.

A Quick Overview

Unlike most sequels, The Platform 2 doesn’t demand that you watch the first movie. In fact, it works as a prequel, revealing the origins of the dreaded Vertical Self-Management Center (VSSC), or as it’s more commonly referred to: the Pit.

The story begins with several individuals voluntarily signing up for the Pit, unaware of the horrors they’re about to face. Through gripping flashbacks and interviews, we get a glimpse of their motivations, guilt, and desperation that lead them to this dark place.

The Platform 2 Story Explained

The film opens with interviews of new inmates joining the VSSC. Among them are Perempuan (Milena Smit, Parallel Mothers) and Zamiatin (Hovik Keuchkerian, Money Heist’s Bogota), whose motivations starkly contrast:

• Perempuan (played by Milena Smit): A renowned artist haunted by guilt over a tragic accident. During an art exhibition, her boyfriend’s young son accidentally impaled himself on one of her sculptures, an incident she blames herself for. She enters the Pit seeking forgiveness, but her journey forces her to confront even darker truths about herself.
• Zamiatin (played by Hovik Keuchkerian): A man who once devoted his life to pure mathematics, only to lose everything—his job, family, and sanity. His philosophical musings about the imaginary nature of numbers reflect his inner turmoil and growing distrust of reality. Despite his eccentric behavior, his story raises profound questions about faith, logic, and the limits of human understanding.

The Pit’s structure mirrors the first film’s anarchic hierarchy, but The Platform 2 reveals its origins as a prequel. Here, order is enforced through the Law—a rigid system created by a mythical figure called the Master. Prisoners split into two factions:

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Philosophy Meets Religion

The Master’s teachings and the concept of the Law are layered with religious and philosophical undertones. The Master, portrayed as a messianic figure, is said to have survived months without food, sacrificing parts of his own flesh to feed others—a clear parallel to religious stories of sacrifice.

Yet, the ambiguity surrounding the Master’s existence adds to the intrigue. Was he a real person, or just a mythical figure used to manipulate the prisoners? This question challenges the audience to think about the power of belief systems and how they’re often weaponized to control people.

Even the numbers in the movie carry symbolic weight. The Pit has 333 levels, housing 666 prisoners—evoking the biblical number of the Beast. This clever detail forces us to rethink whether the so-called Messiah was truly benevolent or a symbol of malevolence cloaked in faith.

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Chaos vs. Control: The System’s Flaws

Initially, the Law offers hope. When Perempuan starts on Level 24, food reportedly reaches Level 175—a feat unseen in The Platform 1. But monthly resets shuffle prisoners randomly, mixing Loyalists with new, clueless inmates. By Month 2, Perempuan lands on Level 180, starving as the platform arrives empty. Her suicidal floormate (a man haunted by abandoning his family) highlights the Pit’s psychological toll.

Enter Cellmate (Natalia Tena, Harry Potter’s Tonks), a one-armed veteran punished for feeding a starving man with a dead prisoner’s meal. Her story exposes the Law’s hypocrisy: empathy is criminalized, and enforcers like Dagen Babby (a zealot who amputates Perempuan’s arm) twist rules to justify cruelty.

Verdict: Is The Platform 2 Worth Watching?

The Platform 2 sharpens the franchise’s critique of systemic inequality and blind faith in order. While slower-paced than the first film, it digs deeper into philosophy and human nature. Milena Smit and Hovik Keuchkerian deliver gripping performances, though the plot occasionally meanders.

Final Thought: The Platform 2 is not just a prequel; it’s an exploration of morality, belief, and the human condition. It pushes the boundaries of storytelling, challenging audiences to confront uncomfortable truths about society and themselves.

While it’s not an easy watch, it’s a rewarding one. The philosophical depth, gripping performances, and haunting visuals make The Platform 2 a must-watch for fans of dystopian dramas.

Is it binge-worthy? Definitely. Just be prepared for a thought-provoking ride that will linger with you long after the credits roll.

What did you think about the Master and the Law? Share your thoughts in the comments below!