“Fall 2: Deadpoint” follows two climbers who become trapped thousands of feet above ground on a perilous climb across Thailand’s Mount Kwan.
You may think that this is simply capitalizing on name recognition — it is. But there are efforts to make this a continuation rather than a simple “cash grab.” While the first film focused on Shiloh (Virginia Gardner) and Becky (Grace Caroline Currey), the second installment centers on Shiloh’s sister, Jax. Because of this, the prior tragic events play a big role in demonstrating the grief and vulnerability that she is going through. Directors Michael and Peter Spierig effectively continue the narrative, but the basic setup and themes explored are virtually identical. In “Fall,” the death of a loved one propels the characters to make a dangerous climb as tribute. In “Fall 2,” the death of a loved one propels the characters to make a dangerous climb as tribute. That repeating verbiage is intentional, as that’s exactly how the movie feels.
Jonathan Frank and Scott Mann once again pen the screenplay. Despite the thematic takeaways being familiar, Frank and Mann explore them in different ways. Recurring flashbacks are a major source for examining trauma, imprinting a specific past event in order to eventually make the overcoming more impactful. Supplementary memories are also interwoven to fully flesh Jax out as an individual. This includes paying homage to the first film by bringing back Gardner for brief recollections.
Starring are Harriet Slater (Jax Hunter), Arsema Thomas (Luce) and Tom Brittney (John). Each of the performances is serviceable in making the stakes feel real. Slater plays a cautious character, expressing nervousness at every turn. Thomas is more carefree, contrasting Slater’s performance with a go-with-the-flow persona. Brittney is calm and collected, with a composed portrayal that keeps the frightening situations grounded in reality. Despite not amounting to anything “memorable,” the actors never detract from the experience.
Even as it moves past the opening, the basic structure remains the same: climb, obstacle, talk, find a way down. Much like in “Fall,” the characters become trapped at extreme heights, eventually leading to lengthy scenes of conversation and reflection. These moments spark similar twists and turns that force additional conflict. This time, they’re a lot less shocking — and dumb.
However, what it also has is the same sense of tension. Through the combination of Andrew Strahorn’s cinematography and Tim Despic’s score, “Fall 2” quickly generates anxiety. Strahorn utilizes both wide-angle shots and close-ups. This showcases the sheer scope and beauty of the mountain they are climbing while also emphasizing the rusty beams, uneven planks and more. The camera movements display additional creativity, quickly angling down and swirling around characters. The sharp musical cues then make the thrills even more imminent.
While the overall execution is too comparable for its own good, it’s not the emotional beats that general audiences came to see. It’s these instances of action that are the draw. Luckily for “Fall 2,” they deliver. Whether it’s climbing, walking or dangling, the Spierig brothers provide a larger variety of adrenaline. Not confined to a single tower, there are more opportunities for nail-biting scenarios.
Where this does surprise is in the conclusion, going full “B movie.” It even begins to feel like a parody of itself, with cheesy outcomes to all of its plot threads. The rushed ending closes out “Fall 2” on more of a comical note than anything, but at least it’s something different. With “Fall 3” in the works, it’s clear that this series is heading in a melodrama-thriller direction.
“Fall 2: Deadpoint” is much the same as its predecessor. Stripped of the original’s novelty, its notoriety alone isn’t enough to achieve the same entertainment value.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
