The Platform (2019)

The Platform is a 2019 science fiction horror film directed by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia.

The Setting
The "Vertical Self-Management Center" aka, "The Pit" aka, "The Hole" is a tower shaped prison. There are a total of 334 levels in the facility, each level is identical (except for level 0) with two beds, a sink, a mirror, and a toilet. The only real difference being the level number on the wall, and the position of each level. Once everyday, a platform is loaded with a buffet amount of food on level 0. The platform descends to each level and stays at each level for approximately 1-2 minutes allowing the inhabitants to eat. After that, the platform descends to the level below and repeats the process until it goes through every level. Once done, in the middle of the night, the platform ascends quickly back to level 0 until it is refilled the next day.

Two people are assigned per level. Every month, each level is gassed and cleaned, and the inhabitants are shuffled around the faculty and awaken on different levels. Despite the shuffle, the inhabitants keep the cellmates they were assigned from the previous month. The inhabitants only get assigned a new cellmate if their previous one died in the prior month or finished their time sentenced.

The inhabitant rules

 * Any one item. Every inhabitant is allowed to bring one item from the outside with them upon entry. This includes objects (at least) as large as a surfboard or even living things like a pet.
 * No keeping food. If any resident attempts to keep food after the platform has left their level, the temperature on the level will begin to rise or fall drastically until the inhabitants die.
 * Anything goes. Apart from those two rules, the inhabitants are allowed to do anything they want to each other or to their area.

Level 48
Goreng wakes up in a bed inside a concrete level with an old man staring at him. The man opens stating they are on level 48 and it is a good level. The man also confirms to Goreng he is in "The Pit". Goreng questions what they will eat, the man answers that it will be what the ones above don't want. The old man introduces himself as Trimagasi, revels they will be on that level for exactly one month, and that the goal is to eat, depending on the level they're assigned.

Suddenly a platform filled with scraps and food remains lowers onto their level. Trimagasi gorges himself on the food remains, while Goreng grows disgusted from the "food" and refuses to eat. Goreng grabs a single apple and says he will save it for later as the platform lowers. As it descends, Trimagasi drinks all the remaining wine and hypocritically spits on the ones below. The temperature on their level suddenly begins to rise as Trimagasi explains that keeping food is against the rules and thus Goreng must drop the apple down the hole before they burn.

It's revealed in a flashback that Goreng voluntarily admitted himself into the facility for 6 months, in return, he would receive a diploma, quit smoking, and read Don Quixote. The interviewer asks him what item he wants to bring, and he chose to bring the book Don Quixote.

Back in the present, Goreng reveals this information to Trimagasi in return for for Trimagasi's reasons for being in The Pit. Before he mentions his background, Trimagasi is shocked to hear Goreng came voluntarily and will be rewarded with a degree after his sentence. When confronted the next day about why he's here, Trimagasi reveals that one day he was watching a TV ad for a knife sharpener called the Samurai-Max. He was impressed with the product and bought it. However, one month later, Trimagasi saw an ad by the same company about a self-sharpening knife that wouldn't need a sharpener, the Samurai-Plus. Enraged at the "betrayal", Trimagasi threw his TV out the window and it accidently landed on an illegal immigrant, killing the person. He was then presented with a choice: to be sent to a psychiatric institute or to serve a one year sentence in The Pit.

Concerned at the realization he's in a prison, Goreng asks Trimagasi how many levels are there. Trimagasi explains that there are more than 132 levels, and at that level, no food reaches there. Trimagasi reassures Goreng the problem isn't getting a low level, it's the risk of getting assigned two low levels consecutively. Horrified at the realization, Goreng attempts to plead with the ones above and below him to ration the food, to which Trimagasi only calls Goreng a communist with vain ambition. Annoyed with not being able to do much Goreng then asks Trimagasi what his item was, to which he reveals it to be the Samurai-Plus knife.

As the days go by, Goreng begins to become accustomed to his situation and starts eating the food scraps. Until one day a body hits their level and scares Goreng. Trimagasi reveals that while those higher up have more food, they have nothing to look forward to and a lot of time to think. Goreng shouts out for people to do something about the dead man, with those below looking on in powerless acceptance and those above turning a blind eye.

Goreng asks Trimagasi what levels he was one and he lists them out in order with the most recent being 132. Goreng then accuses Trimagasi of cannibalizing his former cellmate due to him coming back from a level without food and not appearing famished from fasting. Before his accusation is confirmed or denied, they are interrupted with the arrival of Miharu, a woman who rode the platform down to their level. While Trimagasi eats he explains that Miharu is a prisoner just like them but she's searching for her lost son, so every month, she rides the platform down to search for him. Trimagasi then addresses Goreng's accusation and states that after eight days, he and his former cellmate survived by cannibalizing a body that fell on their level; after that, his cellmate simply finished his sentence and was released. When the platform lowers with Miharu, the two prisoners on level 49 attack her. Goreng begs them to stop while Trimagasi only goads Goreng to jump the 5 meters (15 feet) down to help her. Goreng is then pleasantly shocked to see her alive after killing the two men and continuing to ride the platform down.

Days go by as Goreng and Trimagasi start interacting more and bonding. Eventually they reach last night of the month where Trimagasi warns Goreng that on this night their level will be flooded with a sedative gas and in the morning they will wake up on a different level. Trimagasi confides that he likes Goreng and prays the two get a good level.

Level 171
When Goreng awakens his limbs are bound and his mouth is gagged. Trimagasi approaches Goreng and the two realize their situation of being on level 171. Trimagasi reveals he tied Goreng up while he was unconscious out of fear that the eventual hunger would drive him mad and willing to kill to eat. Trimagasi explains his plan that he doesn't want to kill Goreng nor let his meat decay, so he will fast for the first week and then slowly cut small pieces of flesh from Goreng as the month goes by. As the platform descends it proves Trimagasi's point as the platform is left with nothing but broken glass and empty plates. Once ungagged, Goreng pleads for his life and calls Trimagasi a murderer if he does this. Trimagasi only blames those above who refuse to share the food with the lower levels. Trimagasi grows tired of talking and walks away as Goreng screams out for help but to no avail.

Days pass as Goreng helplessly watches Trimagasi live out his daily routine: Reading Don Quixote out loud, checking the platform for food scraps, and watching over Goreng. Eventually a week passes and Trimagasi explains that he's grown too weak from fasting and if he waits any longer he won't be able to guarantee Goreng survives the process. Before he begins, Goreng blames his potential death as Trimagasi's fault and no one else's. Trimagasi then starts to cut into Goreng's thigh and cuts a small piece of flesh, while secretly, Miharu descends down the platform. She surprise attacks Trimagasi and mortally wounds him with his knife before she cuts Goreng free. Now free and armed with the knife, Goreng pounces onto Trimagasi and repeatedly stabs the man in a violent rage before he collapses from the pain.

When Goreng wakes up, Miharu has bandaged his leg and begins cannibalizing Trimagasi's body. She notices goreng and feeds him some of the meat, helping him to overcome the struggle of cannibalism. Once he's stabilized, Miharu rides the platform down with Trimagasi's knife.

The month passes as Goreng is forced to eat the now rotting meat from Trimagasi's body. Suddenly, Goreng is confronted by a manifestation of Trimagasi, who chastises Goreng's ruthlessness when he killed of him. Goreng demands him to leave but Trimagasi only remarks he won't since Goreng consumed his flesh and regardless of how Goreng feels, they're both murderers. To which Goreng reaffirms by quoting Trimagasi.

Level 33
Goreng reawakens on a new level with a new cellmate, Imoguiri, and her pet dog, Ramesses II. Goreng criticizes her decision to bring a dog but quickly realizes she already knows his name. Goreng then recognizes Imoguiri as the woman who interviewed him and administered him to the pit. Goreng remembers she asked him a question about what was his favorite food: (to which he responded with) Escargots á la Bourguignonne (snails). Back in the present, Goreng questions her about her knowledge of the "Vertical self-management center (The Pit)." She reveals that she also came voluntarily and there are (at least) 200 levels in the prison. Goreng states there's not enough food for 200 levels, which Imoguiri states that there is if everyone ate only what they needed then the food would reach the lowest level. She also explains the purpose of The VSC is a social experiment to find "spontaneous solidarity" to prove the outside world can change.

When the platform lowers with more food than the previous level, Goreng collapses and begins eating. When asked how she will feed herself and her dog, Imoguiri explains she will alternate what days her and her dog eat. Goreng still chastises her by saying it could cause the death of a child, which Imoguiri states sternly the VSC doesn't allow the admission of children (16 or under) into the facility. When the platform lowers to the men on level 34, Imoguiri asks them to eat only the rationed food she prepared for them, however the men ignore her pleas and dismiss her. Goreng observes this and comments that the facility is built for the opposite of creating spontaneous solidarity, a mirror to the outside world. Goreng continues to rant about the Administration and how they have the power to change the facility if they wanted to.

The next time the platform arrives, Imoguiri prepares rations for the men below but just like yesterday, they only dismiss her. She stays determined, claiming they will see reason eventually, to which Goreng calls her delusional. Two weeks pass and Goreng finally snaps at the insanity. He aggressively threatens the two men that he will defecate on the food if they do not comply and ration their food. Despite the threat working, Imoguiri is disappointed that he threatened them rather than attempting to persuade them. When Imoguiri desires to attempt to persuade the ones above, Goreng assures her it's pointless because they can't threaten the ones above.

One day, the platform lowers with Miharu collapsed and injured. The two carry her to a bed and treat her wounds. As they treat her, the platform lowers and Miharu comments it is cold. The two notice the room is growing colder as Goreng realizes the dog as kept some food. Enraged, Goreng chases the dog, and takes the piece of meat from it and throws it down for the temperature to return to normal. Later that night, Goreng's sleep is interrupted by Imoguiri fighting Miharu in the middle of the night. When Goreng breaks up the fight he sees Miharu has killed the dog, Ramesses II.

The next morning, Goreng explains that she's looking for her missing son but Imoguiri reveals Miharu's background. Ten months ago she interviewed Miharu, she says Miharu was a movie actress looking for fame and now she's a crazed killer looking for a child that doesn't exist. Imoguiri confides that in her 25 years of working for the VSC she was never aware of the horrible conditions in the facility. She also reveals she admitted herself voluntarily after she found out her cancer was terminal in a last attempt to help, but now that she knows the truth and her dog is dead, she doesn't care what happens.

On the last day, Goreng picks through the food and is shocked to see his snails were untouched. He offers some to Imoguiri since it is their last day on this level, but she refuses because it would've been Ramesses II's turn to eat. Despite everything, Goreng continues her work and makes the rations.

Level 202
Goreng is horrified when he awakens to realize Imoguiri has hung herself and that he is on level 202, with even more levels below. He is then met with the manifestation of Trimagasi questioning if he will eat her. Imoguiri then appears and says she hung herself to leave Goreng a "gift," her body. Imoguiri begins quoting the Bible and the parallels with Christ's body and blood. Goreng attempts to block out their comments and he screams in horror. When the platform lowers with empty plates and broken glass, Goreng grabs a shard of glass and procrastinates cutting her body and eating. Eventually and begrudgingly, Goreng approaches her body and Trimagasi gifts Goreng his Samurai-Plus to use. Goreng cuts into her flesh all the while Trimagasi comments.

Level 6
In a nightmare, Goreng awakens on level 6 with his cellmate being Miharu. She grabs Trimagasi's knife and attempts to kill him. Goreng then wakes up from the nightmare screaming when his new cellmate, Baharat cheers that they're on level 6 and can climb up to escape. Baharat pleads with those on level 5 to help him up and they seemingly agree. Baharat tosses his rope up and as he climbs, at the last minute they sabotage him and he falls back onto his level. Baharat cries in anguish that they were so close and now they have little to no chance of ever getting this close again.

When the platform arrives, the buffet is immense but the two men only eat enough for themselves. When the platform lowers, Goreng looks down at those on level 7 and sees them recklessly and carelessly gorge on the food. That night, Trimagasi reappears to Goreng and reasons that Goreng can recover on level 6 with the immense food supply. After that, Goreng only has one more month before he's released and given his degree. But Goreng doesn't want to do that, instead he thinks of Imoguiri and he creates a plan. Goreng approaches Baharat and tells him his plan to ride the platform down and forcefully ration out the food. Baharat refuses, saying he'll try to climb again next month, but Goreng reasons that no matter what he tries, there will always be someone above him to stop him. Goreng hypothesizes that there are at least 250 levels and once they run out of food, they'll ride the platform up. With the chance to go up, Baharat ecstatically agrees and the two prepare the next day by using metal bars in their bedframes as weapons. When the platform arrives they stand on it and ride it down to level 7.

When they reach level 7, the two prisoners recognize Baharat and question his methods. As Baharat explains their plan, Goreng makes a realization that the first 50 levels eat daily, so they'll start passing out food at level 51. In the meantime, they ask the two men to fast for a day, however one of the men demands that he is entitled to eat on level 7, having been back from level 114. He insults Goreng for believing he is some sort of a messiah and Baharat for following him. The man then attempts to eat the food and Baharat hits the man in the face. The two then descend and threaten every prisoner on every level until the they arrive on level 19 and see an old man in a wheelchair. Baharat recognizes the old man as a wise teacher and the old man criticizes their violence. The old man reasons that their cause is just but they must try to reason with the prisoners first, and only when the prisoners refuse should the duo resort to violence. The old man also encourages them to take their efforts further by sending a message to those above as well, not to the administration, but to the people who work on level 0. The man suggests they use a symbol in the form of one of the dishes, perfectly preserved and untouched. They ultimately decide to use the Panna Cotta as their message.

Baharat then speaks with the people on level 20 and informs them of their protest to The Administration. The duo ask them to partake in a day of fasting, but when the woman refuses to listen, Goreng hits her. The duo continue their journey of persuading and fighting the prisoners until they arrive to level 51, there they start to pass out rations. As the two venture deeper in the VSC they discover the people are becoming more desperate and deranged with each passing level. Once they reach level 120, the platform doesn't stop moving and they learn the platform doesn't stop on a level if no one is alive on it. They realize because it can skip levels, there are more levels than Goreng counted. They pass by several dead bodies as they continue to level 122, they hear the screams of a woman crying out, it's Miharu. She is overpowered by a large prisoner and he repeatedly stabs her before Goreng can pounce on him. The large man overpowers Goreng and brutally beats him before he starts to choke Goreng. Meanwhile, Baharat fights the cellmate armed with a samurai katana, who wounds Baharat by slashing his abdomen. Baharat does prevail and stabs the cellmate and decapitates the large man. The two check on Miharu and see they're too late to save her. Still determined, Baharat grabs Goreng and the two continue their descendant, now far worse for wear.

Level 333
They continue their journey, still passing food whenever they can as their wounds grow worse. They pass level 250 and Baharat reminds Goreng to stay strong, for they still had the panna cotta and thus their message is preserved. Eventually the platform stops on level 333, the last level. Seeing no one in sight, Baharat tells Goreng to prepare for the platform to rise. They are surprised to see however there is a child on the level. As they get off, the platform lowers into a darkness. Fearing the temperature change, Goreng demands Baharat to throw the panna cotta but the temperature doesn't change. The child approaches them and is revealed to be a girl. The two ultimately decide to sacrifice their message and give the hungry girl the panna cotta. The duo stay the night on the level as Goreng reads a verse from Don Quixote that says: wealth is not defined by quantity in ownership nor careless spending, but by spending it well. As he reads, Goreng is met by Trimagasi, who questions why Goreng sacrificed the comforts of level 6. When he responds he did it for his message, suddenly all of his cellmates manifest to help Goreng to realize the girl is the true message. When Goreng wakes up to tell this to Baharat, he finds that Baharat has bleed out from his wounds.

The next day, Goreng wakes the girl and the two board the platform and ride it down into the darkness. Inside the darkness, Goreng is met by Trimagasi, who assures Goreng his journey is finished and he must come with him. Goreng insists he must "bear" the message but Trimagasi assures him he doesn't need to. Goreng leaves the girl and walks further into the darkness with Trimigasi. The two turn back and ponder if the girl will be a successful message as the platform races back to the top.

Cast

 * Iván Massagué as Goreng
 * Zorion Eguileor as Trimagasi
 * Antonia San Juan as Imoguiri
 * Emilio Buale Coka as Baharat
 * Alexandra Masangkay as Miharu
 * Zihara Llana as Mali (the little girl)