2022’s “Fall” was a surprise hit, raking in strong takings at the box office and proving itself a worthy white-knuckle suspenser as well. Its deserved success can be attributed to the engaging leads as much as their characters’ high altitude, vulture-observed plight, and actually, a vulture does briefly show up in this one as well but purely for homage (as opposed to plot) purposes it would seem.
Peter and Michael Spierig’s spirited sequel to Scott Mann’s (he co-wrote the screenplay to this one) thriller “Fall 2: Deadpoint” follows a pretty similar template but actually one-ups its predecessor when it comes to pure, death-defying spectacle. Implausibility does take a foothold early in the flick though, it must be said. Some of the camerawork and POV style shots, overseen by cinematographer Andrew Strahom, may elicit a genuinely visceral reaction or reflex as the omnipresent danger at every turn becomes virtually supernatural.
Embracing the Hazardous Route Ahead
The audience is quickly introduced to Shiloh Hunter’s (Virgina Gardner) bereaved (and slightly guilt-stricken) sister Jax (Harriet Slater) and her newfound companion Luce (Arsema Thomas), who claims to be a college pal of the late Shiloh, known on the internet as “Danger D.” They determine the best way to honour the intrepid daredevil’s legacy is to conquer further perilous natural extremes dotted across the globe, and the next stop on the radar is Thailand’s plank walk. Luce is the driving force behind this decision and her zest for life and braving the more extreme experiences of the world ultimately convinces Jax to go along for the ride. This is all in fairly strict accordance with Shiloh’s scrapbook, which contains a list of all the places she’d hoped to visit before her mortal fall in the first film.
The backpack-clad duo arrive in Thailand to find the walk has long been made off limits to the general public due to its susceptibility to earthquakes, but the risk of seismic activity does little to quell the enthusiasm of the pair, as what’s more experientially seismic than a potential landslide is the inner charge they’ll receive from traversing a narrow corridor alongside a treacherous, cloud-surpassing mountain with a stone dragon at its crest. A dragon said to consume the fears of all that meet it face-to-face no less. But that is not all.
Two Physically Committed Leads
“Fall 2: Deadpoint” contains a couple of mildly surprising if credulity-straining twists as well, both when it comes to the true identity of Luce, and their enigmatic guide Jon (Tom Brittney), who may have an agenda of his own when it comes to ensuring the young women get up the mountain unscathed despite the illegality of the exercise.
The forewarnings in the first act prove valid, as boulders tumble amid a rainstorm and destroy much of the hiking route, marooning Luce and Jax on a small section of surviving planks. Things get clammy-palm scary during this stretch as they attempt to retrieve a dangling walkie-talkie on a rucksack attached to a pole jutting out of the mountainside. Rainswept acrobatics ensue, attempts to alert bar patrons thousands of feet below with a laser pointer fall in vain et cetera.
The Viewer is Brought Alongside
Some of the plot points feel familiar, but the formula, and a formula it is, is absolutely energized by the work behind the lens and the physical commitment of its two leads playing haunted, emotionally scarred people. Kudos to Slater and Thomas. Technical panache abounds here even if the script could’ve done with a bit of jazzing up. The finale is also a little slapped together and unlikely, which isn’t to say it doesn’t excite. There are some routine thematic takeaways as well with a commentary on moving on and legacy and living life to the fullest but it’s never overly earnest and the likeable performers prop it all up gallantly even if a subplot or two is underdeveloped.
Ultimately, “Fall 2: Deadpoint” is a fun and brisk offering that overcomes its believability slips via strong performances and genuine photographic mastery—it literally plants the viewer right there with its two beleaguered heroines and dares you to peek over the edge. The film was shot on location in Thailand too. Virginia Gardner comes back via flashbacks, and her presence is welcome and important to the events that unspool in the film. A good watch for survival thriller enthusiasts and carabiner fans.
