The Platform 2 (2024) Plot Twist and Ending Explained

The Platform 2 marks the continuation of the acclaimed sci-fi thriller series envisioned by Spanish director Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia. This sequel delves deeper into the chilling daily realities experienced by inmates trapped within “The Pit,”a stark concrete prison tower. The narrative kicks off with a new prisoner, Perempuan, who quickly becomes embroiled in the brutal politics of the prison and faces a violent uprising among the inmates.

The film stars Milena Smith, Hovik Keuchkerian, Oscar Jaenada, Natalia Tena, Ivan Massague, Zorion Eguileor, Bastien Ughetto, Antonia San Juan and Alexandra Masangkay. Starting October 4, 2024, fans can stream The Platform 2 on Netflix.

The film’s climax symbolizes a profound transformation for Perempuan, portrayed through her sacrifice as she seeks to atone for her past by saving a child. The conclusion circles back to the themes established in the first film.

The official description of The Platform 2 states:

As a mysterious ruler enforces a harsh regime within a system of vertical cells, a newcomer grapples with a questionable food distribution method.

Understanding The Pit

Taking place in a near-future setting, The Pit is a state-of-the-art prison designed as a towering concrete structure. This edifice spans numerous levels, each housing two inmates, alongside a Vertical Self-Management Center that distributes food via a large tray passed through the gaps between floors. The tray is initially loaded with food selections made by the prisoners prior to their incarceration.

Inmates on the upper levels indulge in ample quantities of food, yet as the tray descends towards the lower tiers, the remnants left are increasingly sparse. This leads to issues of gluttony as those on the upper floors consume more than their fair share, resulting in ravenous starvation and, in extreme cases, cannibalism among the lower-tier prisoners.

The structure of the prison serves as a metaphor for capitalist society, highlighting how those in the upper tiers hoard resources while the lower classes depend on them for survival. An intricate rotation system ensures that prisoners are randomly assigned to different floors monthly, leading to an unpredictable existence where some thrive while others starve.

Perempuan’s Journey in The Platform 2

In this sequel, director Gaztelu-Urrutia introduces Perempuan as the main character, an artist burdened by guilt who intentionally subjects herself to the horrors of The Pit. Previously celebrated for her artwork, she staged an exhibition centered on animal cruelty, which tragically led to an incident where her boyfriend’s child was injured by one of her works. Although she faced no legal consequences, the guilt of that day haunted her, driving her to seek redemption within the prison’s walls. The narrative starts with Perempuan awakening on the 24th floor, where she meets her cellmate, a massive man named Zamiatin.

Zamiatin initially presents himself as a brutish, shirtless figure with an insatiable appetite for pizza and a temperament that erupts when his cravings go unfulfilled. Details about his past emerge when he recounts why he was sent to The Pit, providing a glimpse into his unstable mental state. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Zamiatin is not merely a hapless soul; he is a mathematician whose pursuit of logic crumbled upon encountering concepts he could not rationalize.

The Role of the Loyalists

In The Platform 2, the dynamics shift as a faction of prisoners named the Loyalists takes control. Under the guidance of a blind man known as Dagin Babi, who claims to be the prophet of “The Master,”these Loyalists enforce a strict set of rules termed “The Law”to maintain order and adjudicate punishments. However, the existence and identity of The Master is shrouded in myth, and only selected individuals, referred to as The Anointed Ones, supposedly have witnessed him.

Dagin Babi advocates for a new world order, believing that by killing, they can prevent further bloodshed in the future. This ideology is steeped in Christian symbolism with echoes of the story of Jesus during The Last Supper. The lowest floor of the prison, numbered 333, symbolizes a connection to biblical references, as it brings the total prisoner count to 666, often associated with the concept of evil.

In an unexpected turn, the Loyalists manage to consistently deliver food as far as the 175th floor, but they must contend with the Barbarians—those who rebel against the system. Punishments for the Barbarians are severe, including mutilation and being left to the mercy of the starved inmates on the lower floors.

Zamiatin’s inability to resist his gluttonous instincts leads him to consume food from deceased prisoners, a transgression that he knows will attract harsh consequences. Facing his imminent death due to a terminal illness, he ultimately chooses to end his own life in a dramatic act of defiance.

After Zamiatin’s demise, Perempuan is reassigned to the 180th floor, where she encounters a one-armed woman who initially poses as a newcomer.

As the story progresses, the woman reveals that she has been in The Pit for over six months, that during her stay, the Loyalists punished her for sharing food with a starving inmate. The woman’s fate takes an even darker turn when she confesses that her attempt to provide aid led to her being mutilated.

The Climax of Perempuan’s Story

Amidst hunger and despair, Perempuan and her cellmate Sahabat plot to eliminate a Barbarian who disrupts their way of life. However, their well-meaning intentions lead to severe repercussions from the Loyalists, resulting in the amputation of Perempuan’s arm while her companion is restrained to the food tray, facing gruesome consequences for her actions. This marks a pivotal point where Perempuan resolves to reject the oppressive laws and join the rebels.

Perempuan’s Last Stand in The Platform 2

Perempuan decides that the time has come to break free from her bleak surroundings and plans her escape during the cleaning cycle when the guards incapacitate the inmates. To aid her daring mission, she seeks out “the drowning dog,”supposedly located on the deepest floors of the prison.

Her journey through the heart of darkness leads her to forge alliances with fellow prisoners, ultimately culminating in a fierce confrontation with the Loyalists. The arrival of a new inmate, Tiramigasi, positions The Platform 2 as a narrative prequel to the original film, as he recalls experiences from Goreng’s tenure as incarcerated.

Amidst chaos and carnage, Perempuan discovers “the drowning dog”depicted in a painting by the renowned Spanish artist Francisco de Goya, which symbolizes the struggle against malignant powers. During the ensuing conflict, only Perempuan and Tiramigasi endure, confronting anarchy similar to what Goreng experienced in the first film.

Perempuan’s discovery of the painting reveals a hallucinogenic property that grants her immunity against the incapacitating gas used in The Pit. When the cleaning crew arrives, she feigns death and blends in with the corpses. Awakening in a weightless environment suggests that The Pit operates on a different level, as she contends with notions of human instincts manipulated under dire circumstances.

The scene presents a stark metaphor for humanity’s competitive nature, illustrated through children vying for dominance during playtime. The underlying theme suggests that societal structures pit individuals against one another in the relentless struggle for advancement.

In an interesting twist, one child scales the pinnacle of the pyramid while another descends to the bottom, embodying a glimmer of hope amid despair. The fate of this child remains ambiguous, with theories suggesting their descent symbolizes an opportunity for redemption, further deepening the film’s philosophical undertones.

In the closing moments of The Platform 2, viewers watch Perempuan plummet to the 333rd floor, where she encounters a child. Echoing Goreng’s quest, she strives to protect the child from the cycle of violence and despair. Her journey, fraught with peril, results in catastrophic injuries as she navigates the dark abyss of The Pit.

In a selfless act of sacrifice, Perempuan allows the child to ascend while she succumbs to her wounds, potentially achieving the redemption she sought for the life lost in her previous existence. The film concludes as the deceased souls welcome her, symbolizing her journey’s end.

As Tiramigasi poignantly notes, true imprisonment exists within our minds, suggesting that Perempuan’s journey toward redemption liberated her from her past. The post-credit sequence reveals her reunion with Goreng, revealing his identity as her ex-boyfriend, a twist that adds depth to the narrative.

The Platform 2 ends by exploring the complexities of time and existence, with an open invitation for future installments in this thought-provoking franchise. Currently, The Platform 2 is available for streaming on Netflix. Stay tuned for our insights on the endings of more movies and TV series.

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