Our take
Survivors are often painted in a brave light; they’re applauded for their resilience and toughness, and in the case of school shootings, many of them are also expected to take up arms and fight the good fight. While this is of course laudable, many survivors are simply trying to get by. Unable to process trauma and inexplicable loss, they become withdrawn, depressed, and reckless—not exactly noteworthy traits, but understandable and equally deserving of empathy.
The Fallout shifts the focus on this side of survival by following Vada in the aftermath of a school shooting. Unlike her peers, she fails to cope positively and becomes increasingly self-destructive. But it’s through this unsentimental portrayal that The Fallout achieves a frankness and rawness that few films like it have.
The story
In the wake of a school tragedy, Vada, Mia and Quinton form a unique and dynamic bond as they navigate the never linear, often confusing journey to heal in a world that feels forever changed.
Elsewhere
"Park has lined up a strong cast of young performers and allowed them the chance to dig deep into tough material. Ortega is particularly moving as Vada, and Pollack turns in a sneakily layered turn as young Amelia."
— Kate Erbland
"It's a remarkable accomplishment: a film with the confidence to pose big questions, and the humility to leave them unanswered."
— Peter Debruge
The details
Mustang
Deniz Gamze Ergüven & Female director
Fish Tank
Andrea Arnold
20th Century Women
Mike Mills
The Souvenir Part II
Joanna Hogg
Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles
Chantal Akerman
Infinitely Polar Bear
Maya Forbes
Good Luck to You, Leo Grande
Sophie Hyde
Rosetta
Jean-Pierre Dardenne & Luc Dardenne
Who picked it
Renee Cuisia is the lead curator at A Good Movie to Watch. In her spare time, she likes to watch K-dramas and analyze them to death. She's also seen You've Got Mail one too many times but is still convinced it's one of the greatest films out there.
