The cinematic spectacle of perilous mountain cliffs frames the action in "Fall 2: Deadpoint," a sequel that, despite its modest origins and cast, aims for big-screen thrills. Building on the success of its 2022 predecessor, "Fall 2" seeks to leverage the immersive quality of large-format theaters to amplify its vertigo-inducing survival narrative.
The original "Fall" was an independent film about two women stranded atop a radio tower, which found a significant audience after its theatrical release and subsequent surge in popularity on Netflix. "Fall 2: Deadpoint" follows this trend, arriving in theaters over Labor Day weekend and continuing the franchise's focus on intimate, high-stakes scenarios presented with a sense of grand scope.
Directed by the Spierig Brothers, known for their work in the horror genre including the "Saw" reboot "Jigsaw," "Fall 2" delves deeper into the lore established in the first film. The story centers on Jax, the surviving sister of Shiloh from the original "Fall." Distraught by her sister's death, Jax is persuaded by Shiloh's old friend, Luce, to undertake one of Shiloh's planned, yet unexecuted, adventures: hiking a treacherous, barely-there mountain trail in Thailand. This expedition involves a precarious artificial pathway and requires a guide for safe passage.
Upon ascending the mountain, Jax and Luce encounter a perilous situation when rocks fall, destroying their pathway and leaving them stranded in circumstances that are presented as even more dire than those in the first film. The Spierigs employ inventive visual techniques, including repeated point-of-view shots looking straight down, to evoke the unsettling apprehension of the characters' predicament. Classic survival elements, such as attempting to retrieve stranded items or clinging to unstable structures, are utilized to heighten the tension.
However, "Fall 2" is also characterized as a B-movie, featuring expositional dialogue that can feel awkward and revelations that, while sometimes predictable, add to the film's pulpy nature. While it doesn't attempt to replicate the twist of the first movie, the sequel introduces its own dramatic turns. Critics suggest that by contemporary standards, especially in a summer dominated by blockbuster successes, "Fall 2" might not initially seem like a theatrical event. The first "Fall" achieved modest success with a worldwide gross crossing the $10 million mark.
Despite these elements, the film is described as a case where "shlocky film elevated by the circumstances of cinema." For dedicated moviegoers, "Fall 2: Deadpoint" can transform from a "guilty borderline pleasure to a stupidly satisfying night out" when experienced on a sufficiently large screen. The review suggests that finding an available IMAX screen is key to maximizing the film's intended impact and immersive quality.