When climbing, the adrenaline of looking down absorbs you as you see the height you have reached, you know you must go back down. The higher you ascend, the more effort it takes and the scarier it gets. But what if, after climbing to that height and using all of your efforts, you find yourself stranded with no way down? Fall is all about that. 

Fall, the survival thriller released in 2022, will keep you on the edge of your seat for 1 hour and 47 minutes and will have your heart racing from start to finish, making the movie a must-see for survival cinema enthusiasts. If you are slightly afraid of heights you might even consider this film as straight-up horror.

The film’s wild plot line revolves around two best friends, Becky, played by Grace Caroline Currey and Hunter (Virginia Gardner) who decide to climb 2,000 feet to the top of a remote abandoned radio tower. In a sudden turn of events, they find themselves stranded with no way down. With their climbing expertise, vertigo-inducing heights, and a scarcity of supplies, these two best friends are desperate to find a way to survive. 

Fall director, Scott Mann broke the standard for survival films by creating a movie that via innovation and high-level performances transports the viewers to a world where every moment is a ticking time bomb that will unexpectedly lead to disaster. As Becky and Hunter’s near-death experiences increase, the greater the suspense & dread it’ll transmit to its viewers. The emotional journey of the characters adds depth to the storyline and elevates it above just a physical survival story.

Even though some critics believe that the movie doesn’t give a believable justification as to why someone with such trauma will want to do something so dangerous once they are halfway up there, none of it really matters.  The film’s impressive cinematography is so realistic that it makes it appears as though certain impossible stunts were easily executed. Which serves to emphasize how terrifying and realistic Fall is. 

In fact, the movie comes to such realistic details that this fictional B67 tower was inspired by the real KXTV/KOVR tower, a radio tower in Walnut Grove, California, which is 2,049 ft (625 m) high and one of the tallest structures in the world. The movie was shot on top of a mountain using a reconstructed piece of this tower to give the impression that the actors were actually thousands of feet up in the air when really they were just a few feet off the ground.

The extraordinary performances of the two major performers, Grace Caroline Currey and Virginia Gardner, capture the character’s terror, desperation, and determination as they face these overwhelming odds. Their impeccability allows the audience to delve deeper and capture the fear and anxiety that don’t make it to the surface easily. As well as make the conversations between the two friends have meaning and embody their state of mind and situation. 

As they face numerous obstacles such as physical exhaustion and psychological challenges which are hard to depict on screen, the actors seem to have hit it on point with their performances, which keep viewers emotionally committed to their survival. You’ll want to shut your eyes many times throughout the movie as you dread a major fall.

The screenplay was written by Scott Mann and Jonathan Frank. Throughout the movie, it’s clear how well-crafted it is. It knows how to keep the tensions high throughout the entire film. The story gets you immediately hooked hoping these two girls will survive, throughout these unexpected turns that will keep you guessing how everything will end, but definitely it’s not what people expect. The characters are well-defined and emotions run the story adding depth and interest.

As you believe that you’ve figured out the finale,  a startling shift occurs in the final act and the film abruptly shifts from thriller to horror. Given its well-written plot line, this end was unexpected. It appears out of the blue, causing the story’s shocking conclusion and an edge-of-your-seat climax.

Fall is a gripping survival thriller that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The movie breaks the standard of survival films with its original plot line and high-level acting. The performances of the two main actors are remarkable, capturing the fear, desperation, and determination of their characters as they face overwhelming odds. The movie’s impressive cinematography and realistic details, including the recreated radio tower inspired by a real structure, add to the terrifying atmosphere. The screenplay is well-crafted and keeps the tension high throughout the film, with unexpected turns that keep viewers guessing. Fall is a must-watch for survival film fans, but those afraid of heights may find it truly terrifying.