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TIFF Review: ‘The Platform’ Takes it to a Whole Other Level

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The Platform review TIFF

For Spanish director Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia’s first feature film, he did not hold back. The Platform (El Hoyo) is a daring debut, melding political allegory and sci-fi drama with some serious bite. Beautifully paced, the film is told in three acts, each more revealing than the last.

In The Platform, a man wakes up in a dystopian vertical prison with a stranger as a cellmate. Each day, a platform of food descends from above, containing only whatever was not eaten by the upper levels. Every few weeks, the prisoners are switched to another level. As the level number increases, the chance of getting any form of sustenance is grimly diminished. No one knows how many levels there are, but there’s definitely not enough food for all of them.

The script was adapted from a stage play, and it certainly reads as such. The Platform follows two characters at a time as they unravel exposition, weaving it to create the world of the film. It’s a good, tight knit they’re using; the audience learns the rules of the platform at the same time as the lead character.

The first two acts are very self-contained, allowing us to develop an understanding of the prison. It’s not until the third act of the film that the writers carry the story beyond what had been written in the stage play, allowing full creative freedom to stretch their limbs and run. 

The Platform

via TIFF

The Platform is very well structured, setting up conflict that will circle back around, and explaining the intricacies of the system in a clear and concise way. Like a stage play, characters slip in and out, serving a very specific and precise purpose. By shifting the characters to different levels, we can explore the heavy consequences of the lower cells. This, in turn, gives our main character a reason to shift his expectations and ideals as he experiences the darker side of the prison. 

Similar to Cube, Vincenzo Natali’s 1997 science fiction cult classic, The Platform really exists within one set. It’s very economical, both in design and function. Its brutalist, barren interior allows us to really focus on the performances and the plot. Each character is allowed to bring one item into the platform prison with them; these props are a perfect representation of their owner, communicating their empathy, ambition, and sinister intent. 

Iván Massagué delivers a stunning and soulful performance that is utterly captivating. As the film progresses, his tortured stare pierces through you, communicating volumes of trauma. He has the broken and slowly mending soul of a man who was once full of vigor and hope, and it’s beautifully compelling to watch him traverse through the rocky terrain of these different emotions. He is utterly devastating, and it’s very effective. 

via TIFF

The social commentary is not subtle at all — the upper levels eat a luxurious and meticulously prepared meal with no concern for the people underneath them. The lower levels starve, suffer, and fight for every opportunity they get. Those in the middle are able to scrape by, knowing that they could drop down to a lower spot at any moment while striving to reach a higher level.

Any attempt to create a system that ensures a reasonable portion for all is sabotaged by the selfish ill will of the other prisoners. The Platform shines a light on the inherent inequality of the system that we live in and does so in a way that makes it abundantly clear to the audience.  

The Platform is set on this heat, bringing it to a slow boil. Throughout the film we’re given a taste of how vicious this prison can be. It all builds up to the explosive third act which jettisons the audience through a battle field of emotion and violence. It’s truly something to behold.

Any genre fan that appreciates a tight story with a sinister twist — think Saw, Cube, and The Raid — should absolutely check this one out. It’s a must see dive into the darkness of humanity that will leave you speechless. The film is enriched with shockingly brutal violence and a strong social message. When it comes to self-contained horror, The Platform takes things to a whole other level. 

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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