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The Platform 2 Review: Netflix's Dystopian Thriller Explores Extreme Ideologies

Fans of the Netflix hit The Platform are in for a wild ride with the sequel, The Platform 2!

Loyalist vs. Barbarians: A Clash of Ideologies

This sci-fi thriller throws viewers right back into the disturbing vertical prison. Two new characters, Zamiatin and Perempuan, find themselves facing the same bizarre food distribution system as before. But, this time things get a lot more intense!

The prison population is split into two groups with very different views!

  • Loyalists: These guys believe in sharing. They follow a strict system where everyone gets a fair (ish) amount of food. Seems nice, right? They work hard for this goal. They make people follow this through a very rigid, often violent means, showing what could happen.
  • Barbarians: This other group cares only for themselves. When they get their hands on food they pig out. What is interesting here is that even the leaders of the group might face some hardships in time!

Perempuan initially joins the Loyalists, believing their "fairness" policy. Yet as this group continues in its "benevolent rule." things go sideways pretty quickly. It brings into perspective if these values are really going to help these people.

Also Read: The Platform 2: Netflix's Dystopian Thriller Gets a Twisted Prequel

The Loyalists' Methods

Milena Smit as Perempuan, Hovik Keuchkerian as Zamiatin, and Natalia Tena in The Platform 2 Image

The Loyalists' whole belief, and what the new characters see is that people should share what they receive!

But, here’s the catch – their system uses violent means and murder is used to make their point. If anyone is seen as violating the rule (they were also allowed a fair ration for people to eat), they are punished, the extreme lengths that some groups are willing to go to, really adds depth to the series. What we learn from that is what are some real motivations?

Also Read: The Platform 2: Deeper into the Dystopian Nightmare

The Barbarians' Rebellion

Perempuán (Milena Smit) holding a knife, illuminated in red light in The Platform 2 Image

The Barbarians do not care for these shared ideas! Their rule of survival? They think you need to help yourself first! It shows why and also how survival can be seen from so many different perspectives.

These people are ready to show the ways that their rebellion helps them work.

Perempuan starts to question her beliefs. She even witnesses extreme violence at the hands of the Loyalists' leader, Daging Babi! That makes her switch sides, choosing to join the Barbarians' rebellion. She works with many others. These rebellious efforts eventually go against the system and what these rulers think.

Also Read: The Platform 2: Unraveling the Mysteries of Children, Escape, and the Vertical Self-Management Center

The Platform 2 Cast

The Platform 2 (2024) - Poster Image

The movie features a solid cast and includes familiar faces! You will meet some actors that will make it worth the watch.

  • Milena Smit as Perempuan
  • Hovik Keuchkerian as Zamiatin
  • Natalia Tena as Perempuan's Second Roommate
  • Óscar Jaenada as Daging Babi
  • Ivan Massagué as Goreng
  • Antonia San Juan as Imoguiri
  • Zorion Eguileor as Tiramigasi
  • Tadashi Ito as Bárbaro 21
Also Read: Under Paris Parents' Guide: Should Children Watch the Shark Thriller on Netflix?

Social Commentary

The Platform 2 is really thinking about those big questions about human society. The setup initially seems to hit those "capitalist" flaws where people are super unfair and it seems as if they only help those at the top.

Yet, it is much more layered. The Platform 2 takes a harder look at "socialist" ideas too, highlighting just how harsh that kind of strict system can actually be! What it shows, really hits those moral lines in such a thought-provoking way.

At its core, this movie might just make viewers rethink everything.

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