Few Netflix films have sparked as many debates, theories, and midnight rewatches as The Platform, the Spanish dystopian thriller that became a global phenomenon. Released in 2020, the film exploded on the service thanks to its ferocious social allegory, its claustrophobic setting, and one unforgettable premise: a vertical prison where food descends on a platform and survival depends entirely on how much those above decide to leave behind.
Directed by Galder Gaztelu Urrutia, the film delivered a visceral portrayal of inequality and violence that resonated across borders. Its impact was so strong that Netflix itself called it “the most popular Spanish film” in the platform’s history, with more than 82 million views. The sequel arrived in 2024, reigniting interest in this disturbing universe of scarcity and despair.
Here is everything you need to know about The Platform – from the plot and cast to reviews and where to watch it. The trailer is at the bottom of the article.
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The Platform – All the key details
- Title: The Platform
- Original title: El hoyo
- Format: Film
- Length: 94 minutes
- Genre: dystopian thriller, psychological horror, social allegory
- Country of production: Spain
- Original language: Spanish
- Release date: 2020
- Director: Galder Gaztelu Urrutia
- Lead cast: Iván Massagué, Zorion Eguileor, Antonia San Juan
- Produced by: Basque Films
What The Platform is about
Goreng enters the Vertical Self-Management Center by choice, signing up for six months inside an experimental prison in exchange for a certificate that could help him once he’s out. On his first day, he’s paired with Trimagasi, an older inmate whose unsettling serenity makes it clear that this place runs on rules no one fully explains. Soon, Goreng discovers the system at the heart of the institution: every morning, a platform piled high with food begins its descent from level zero, stopping for only a few minutes on each floor.
Every day, a massive platform overflowing with food descends from level zero, stopping for only a few minutes on each floor. Those at the top feast. Those below fight over scraps. And those further down often starve. As Goreng is moved from level to level each month, he witnesses the collapse of humanity inside a structure that turns survival into a moral test.
The deeper he descends, the clearer the system’s cruelty becomes, forcing him to confront violence, sacrifice, and an enigmatic woman who rides the platform searching for her child.
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The Platform cast: the main characters
Iván Massagué stars as Goreng, known for his roles in Pan’s Labyrinth (2006), 7 vidas, and El barco. Zorion Eguileor plays Trimagasi, internationally recognized for The Platform and with appearances in Cuéntame cómo pasó and La que se avecina. Antonia San Juan is Imoguiri, famed for All About My Mother (1999) and La que se avecina. Emilio Buale portrays Baharat, while Alexandra Masangkay plays Miharu. Finally, Zihara Llana is Mali, marking her cinematic debut.
What reviews say about The Platform
Visually, The Platform is as compelling as its story. The vertical prison is both claustrophobic and symbolic, reflecting the extremes of human desire and deprivation. Cinematographer Jon D. Domínguez’s use of cold, clinical lighting enhances the tension, making every descent of the platform feel like a moral test.
The film’s thematic ambition is matched by its disturbing atmosphere. Viewers are forced to confront uncomfortable truths about greed, inequality, and human instinct. Gaztelu-Urrutia’s experimental approach transforms the vertical prison into a microcosm of society, and his direction leaves a lingering unease.
Critically acclaimed, The Platform earned a 79% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 72% audience score. Its symbolic power and relentless tension have sparked discussions worldwide, from film enthusiasts to scholars examining the allegory of class structures.
In the end, The Platform isn’t just a thriller—it’s a reflection on humanity itself. Its unsettling yet mesmerizing vision challenges viewers to ask themselves: what would I do if faced with such choices? Fans of intense, socially charged cinema will find themselves drawn to this unforgettable Netflix phenomenon.
► Watch on Netflix
