Overview

The Fallout follows high school student Vada (Jenna Ortega) through the aftermath of a school shooting and the traumatic effects. Filled with tragedy, love, and devastation, the new film is guaranteed to make viewers feel for the characters.

The Story

The movie starts with “chill” high school student Vada finding herself hiding in the bathroom with two other students, Mia (Maddie Ziegler) and Quinton (Niles Fitch), during an unexpected school shooting. This traumatic experience led to an intense bond between the three, along with Vada’s detachment from the rest of her family (Lumi Pollack, Julie Bowen, and John Ortiz).

While others find ways to channel their trauma into activism, such as her best friend, Nick (Will Ropp), Vada is unable to move past the event. Her younger sister and parents also attempt to help her through a therapist (Shailene Woodley), but Vada is unable to talk to anyone except Mia and Quinton.

Throughout the movie, Vada struggles to find her previous identity as she feels numb while attempting to “reinvent” herself into an activist.

Pros and Cons

Though it is not based on a true story, the emotions of each character is relatable to many survivors of traumatic incidents, which makes the film more believable. Ortega’s performance is so convincing that it feels as though she truly went through a traumatic experience — her fear can be felt through the screen.

Even though this is her directing debut, Megan Park accurately portrayed different types of people after going through a disturbing event: the one who loses themselves, the one who helps others, and the one who channels their trauma into something positive.

Despite some cringey dialogue, such as when a student says “lol” out loud, Park was able to capture life as a high school Gen Z student. She captured the fear and awkwardness of love, trauma, and finding yourself in a way that is relatable to many students in today’s age.

Verdict

All in all, The Fallout is a gripping movie that follows students through a horrific and heartbreaking tragedy. The  cinematography of Megan Park and incredible acting by Jenna Ortega truly brought the viewing experience to a new level. Anyone looking for an intense, heartfelt movie must watch The Fallout.