Fall (2022) || A Nerve-wracking Thriller

Directed by Scott Mann, this movie is one of those high concept survival thrillers that relies more on atmosphere, tension and nerve wracking visuals than plot complexities. It takes a very simple idea of two friends trapped on top of a 2000-foot TV tower and just stretches it to an anxiety filled 107 minutes. I expected to be bored after reading the intro as the movie mostly concerned the survival of the girls atop the tower but surprisingly, I wasn’t bored out at all. My palm sweated and my stomach twisted the whole time, which of course is evidence of a good film.

Synopsis

After the tragic hike accident that took the life of her husband Dan, Becky (Grace Caroline Currey) is emotionally shattered and grieving. She’s unable to get over the shock of losing him and even detests her father for asking her to get a grip and move on. Well, her best friend Hunter (Virginia Gardner) suddenly comes to the rescue and convinces her to confront her fears by joining her in climbing one of the tallest structures in the U.S. A rusting, abandoned TV tower in the middle of the desert.

Unfortunately, what was supposed to be a healing adventure for Becky turns into a nightmare when the ladder used in climbing up the tower breaks.

Review and Rating

Visually, this film is breathtaking and terrifying. The vast emptiness surrounding the tower, kept me in a constant state of dread as well as the vultures that hovered around seeking flesh to consume. I’m really not afraid of heights but to be honest this film triggered acrophobia in me. There’s just a constant sense that death is just a misstep away and that tension holds up for most of the film which makes the watch worth it.

Grace Caroline Currey(Becky) and Virginia Gardner (Hunter) carry the movie almost entirely on their shoulders. I kinda like the limited cast and setting. I just like how the emotional weight of the story rests on the performances of both actresses and in all honesty they deliver solid performances especially Becky, whose grief and fear feel raw and grounded.

I liked Hunter from the beginning though; fearless and quirky until I figured she was a betrayer. I don’t care how they made her seem all sweet and all in the end the damage had been made already and such damage, if done to me, would take the grace of God to be fixed.

The one thing I find annoying about this film is its late-game twist. It’s somewhat clever but I’m bringing sentiment into it and concluding that it stretches believability.

When it comes to simplicity, Fall shines. The stakes are clear. The danger is ever-present and leaves you at the edge of your seat while you expect the worst. The challenge is primal: survive. And thanks to tight direction and solid performances, that’s more than enough to keep you invested.

This movie reminded me of how terrifying isolation and height can be. Climbing up a 2000-feet tower may sound thrilling and all but it can never be me.

Well, if you ever need a movie that keeps your heart racing and your teeth clenched, resort to this and it will absolutely deliver.

Rating: 4/5