The Platform (El Hoyo) is a Spanish dystopian horror-thriller directed by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia. With its minimalist setting, brutal social commentary, and unforgettable allegory on class inequality, the film became a cult hit shortly after its release on Netflix. Let’s dive deep into this nightmarish vertical prison.
Detailed Summary
Welcome to the Hole
The movie opens with Goreng, the protagonist, waking up in Level 48 of a mysterious vertical prison called “The Hole.” Each level houses two inmates. Once a day, a platform filled with food descends through the center, stopping for only a short time at each floor. The catch? The platform starts at Level 1, so by the time it gets to the lower levels, there’s usually nothing left.
His first cellmate is Trimagasi, an older man who has adapted to the brutal rules of the system. Trimagasi explains how things work in the prison, including the monthly rotation, where inmates are randomly reassigned to different floors. Their interactions oscillate between philosophical and horrifying, especially once food becomes scarce.
Survival and Desperation
When Goreng wakes up on Level 171 the next month, things take a violent turn. Trimagasi ties him up, planning to eat him piece by piece. But the tables turn when Miharu, a woman who periodically rides the platform searching for her lost child, intervenes, killing Trimagasi. Goreng is left hallucinating and traumatized.
He’s then paired with Imoguiri, a former administrative worker who believed in the system’s fairness. She tries to implement a food rationing plan, which predictably fails. Her eventual suicide underscores the hopelessness of trying to impose morality in a system designed to encourage selfishness.
The Descent to the Truth
On his final level, Goreng partners with Baharat, a man determined to ascend out of the prison. But Goreng convinces him that they must instead descend with the platform to distribute food fairly—creating a symbolic revolution.
They pass level after level, facing hunger, resistance, and violence. At Level 333, they find a child—the one Miharu was searching for—hidden and alone. Goreng and Baharat give her the panna cotta, a pristine dessert they initially intended to send back up as a message. Instead, they decide the child is the true message.
Ending Explained
In the end, Goreng—now physically and mentally shattered—stays behind while the child ascends on the platform. Whether the administration receives this “message” is left ambiguous.
The ending is intentionally open-ended, asking viewers whether true change is possible in an inhuman system or if the message, like so many cries for justice, will go unnoticed.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, The Platform does not have a post-credits scene. The film ends on a stark, haunting note and lets that final shot sit with the viewer. There’s no Marvel-style teaser or additional context offered beyond the main runtime.
Type of Movie
The Platform is a psychological thriller, horror, and sci-fi dystopia wrapped in an allegorical narrative. It’s a brutal social critique disguised as a survival story.
Cast
- Iván Massagué as Goreng
- Zorion Eguileor as Trimagasi
- Antonia San Juan as Imoguiri
- Emilio Buale as Baharat
- Alexandra Masangkay as Miharu
Film Music and Composer
The atmospheric and unnerving score was composed by Aranzazu Calleja, enhancing the claustrophobia and moral tension of the story. It’s subtle, often droning, and designed to unsettle rather than dominate.
Filming Locations
The movie was filmed in Bilbao, Spain, mostly on a soundstage. The vertical structure was mostly CGI-enhanced, but the confined cells were practical sets, adding to the oppressive realism. The minimal set design was crucial for maintaining the tone of despair and monotony.
Awards and Nominations
- Toronto International Film Festival 2019 – People’s Choice Award (Midnight Madness)
- Goya Awards 2021 – Best New Director (Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia)
- Nominated for Best Special Effects
- Featured on numerous Best Horror of the Year lists
Behind the Scenes Insights
- The film was shot in six weeks, with practical sets reused and redressed for different levels.
- Actor Iván Massagué lost significant weight during filming to reflect his character’s physical decline.
- Director Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia insisted the film not be softened for wider audiences, keeping the violence and themes intact.
- The platform itself was created using a mix of hydraulics and visual effects to make it appear as though it was descending endlessly.
Inspirations and References
- Inspired heavily by Dante’s Inferno, especially its structure of layered suffering.
- Also nods to Samuel Beckett and Kafka, especially in its surreal and existential tone.
- There are strong parallels to real-world economic disparity and capitalist structures.
- Conceptually reminiscent of Cube (1997) and Snowpiercer (2013).
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
There are no widely known alternate endings, but some deleted dialogue scenes were trimmed for pacing. Originally, the ending was going to be more explicit in showing what happened to the child, but it was decided that ambiguity would serve the message better.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The Platform is not based on a book, but it has spawned philosophical essays, analyses, and even unofficial graphic adaptations. However, its influences clearly come from literature rather than being a direct adaptation.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Trimagasi’s terrifying monologue about “spontaneous solidarity.”
- The reveal of Level 333 and the child.
- The brutal descent with Baharat as they fight their way down.
- Imoguiri hanging herself quietly in the corner of their cell.
- The first time the food platform arrives.
Iconic Quotes
- Trimagasi: “Obviously. That’s not me. That’s the system.”
- Imoguiri: “Spontaneous solidarity. That’s what we called it.”
- Goreng: “There are three kinds of people: those above, those below, and those who fall.”
- Baharat: “This message needs no bearer.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The number 333: symbolic of half of 666, possibly referencing hell or purgatory.
- The platform’s food: each dish was meticulously crafted to reflect indulgence, contrasting with the starvation below.
- The characters’ names often have religious or literary significance (Goreng means “fried” in Indonesian, for example).
- The panna cotta remains untouched as a symbol of “hope” or purity—until it’s deemed a false message.
Trivia
- Netflix acquired global rights after TIFF 2019.
- The child was portrayed by a girl, but Miharu’s child was believed to be a boy, leading to theories about hallucination.
- The original Spanish title “El Hoyo” means “The Hole”—a more literal name that was changed for international audiences.
- The prison has 333 levels and 2 people per level—that’s 666 people, often interpreted as a nod to hell.
Why Watch?
Watch The Platform if you’re into thought-provoking dystopian tales, allegorical horror, and moral dilemmas that linger long after the credits roll. It’s a movie that doesn’t spoon-feed answers and forces you to reckon with your own place in the metaphorical “platform” of society.
Director’s Other Works
- The Platform is Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia’s feature film debut
- His prior work includes short films like La casa del lago (2007) and commercials
Recommended Films for Fans
- Snowpiercer (2013)
- Cube (1997)
- Parasite (2019)
- High-Rise (2015)
- Exam (2009)
- The Belko Experiment (2016)
