Scott Mann’s “Fall”

Fall (2022)

Another film that would appropriately be called “Nope” delivers relentless, unforgiving vertigo inducing thrills in a survival thriller with heart

This is a terrific popcorn film that delivers the thrills it promises in a package that somehow defies expectation despite being stripped down and focused in its setting and characters. Telling the story of two friends who climb an abandonned radio tower, the setting is minimalist and isolated with the tower itself becoming a nefarious third character over the course of the film. Unlike other films about climbing like the excellent documentary “Free Solo” from Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, this features nothing as solid as a mountain with the 2000 foot tall radio tower moaning, swaying and breaking apart. The tower reminded me of the juggernaut truck from Steven Spielberg’s “Duel”.

If there’s any criticism, it’s the relentless tension that barely lets up. Even before anything goes wrong, there’s enough anxiety in simply watching our leads climb a ladder while waiting for the tower to bite back. Delivering only what it promises, the film has solid acting, real thrills and an above average story for this genre of film. Some of the effects are a little off, but watching from home, there wasn’t anything that removed me from the experience.

A genuinely exciting independent thriller that efficiently delivers the goods. (As usual, I recommend giving the trailer a miss)