Directed by Scott Mann with a screenplay co-written by Jonathan Frank, Fall is an ‘edge-of-your-seat’ survival film through and through.
The 2022 psychological thriller stars Grace Caroline Currey and Virginia Gardner in the lead, supported by Mason Gooding and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
Produced on a humble budget of $3million, the film went on to become commercially successful, grossing $21million at the worldwide box-office after its August 2022 theatrical release.
While one criticism of the film remained universal — both audiences and critics felt it was too unrealistic in its plot and required a massive suspension of disbelief — overall, the film didn’t fare too badly with viewers.
With a 79 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film’s synopsis on the review aggregator site reads: “For best friends Becky (Grace Caroline Currey) and Hunter (Virginia Gardner), life is all about conquering fears and pushing limits. But after they climb 2,000 feet to the top of a remote, abandoned radio tower, they find themselves stranded with no way down. Now Becky and Hunter’s expert climbing skills will be put to the ultimate test as they desperately fight to survive the elements, a lack of supplies, and vertigo-inducing heights in this adrenaline-fueled thriller co-starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan.”
A critic felt it was worth the watch and wrote: “The leads, along with the cinematography, score, and the downright terror you’ll feel, make Fall worth the watch.”
While a second reviewer said: “[Fall] keeps the spectator in a constant state of anxiety in a situation where life hangs by a thread. Or a rope…”
Another critic appreciated several of the film’s aspects: “Fall is a solid, well-played, and broadly effective thriller. While perhaps overly familiar in its genre tropes, it still succeeds with strong visuals, driven characters, and an urgent pace.”
Another critic was all praise for the director Scott Mann: “Some – or even most – scenes are certain to make you feel dizzy and a little sick to your stomach or give you vertigo, which in this case is a sign of Mann’s talent behind the camera.”
Showering high praise on the film, one viewer wrote: “Alfred Hitchcock would be proud! Don’t let the storyline keep you from watching this. When I heard it was about two girls climbing this huge Tower and getting stuck on the top I thought OMG how does this storyline have a chance to go anywhere? But it was riveting, well acted and very suspenseful! It was the first movie since I was a kid that gave me nightmares! But without blood and gory but just in a good suspenseful way.”
While another was left impressed: “Great movie with great pace. Established the story and characters effectively. For the most part, believable. Just a great flick. Shows you don’t need a massive budget and crazy effects to make a great movie.”
And a third audience review stated: “The most nerve-wracking theatrical experience I’ve had in years, even if many of the plot points require a fair amount of suspension of belief. Impressive stunt work from the two leading actresses whose performances keep you invested in the outcome and on the edge of your seat the entire time. The plot twist towards the end thoroughly rattled me.”
Fall is available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer.