Platform 2 factions explained

Warning! This post contains spoilers for Platform 2.

Platform 2 introduces two factions into its central prison system, Loyalists and Barbarians, both of whom represent opposing philosophies. Like his predecessor, Platform 2 begins with the struggle of two prisoners as they try to adapt to the questionable food distribution methods at the central prison. Over the course of the Netflix sci-fi film, two characters, Zamyatin and Perempuan, interact with their neighbors and learn how the population in the prison is divided into two groups: loyalists and barbarians.

Believing that the philosophy of one group is much more morally righteous than that of the other, Perempuan decides to become a loyalist. However, her journey to the central prison is marred by a series of problems and tragedies that force her to change her mind about how she perceives people from both groups. At the same time, Platform 2 effectively uses both groups as narrative vehicles to raise many intriguing questions regarding themes of morality, human prejudice, and loyalty.

Explaining Loyalists and Their Motives in Platform 2

Loyalists hope to bring solidarity to the pit

Perempuan and Zamyatin’s first contact in the vertical prison is with two loyalists who convince them to only eat the food they ordered before entering the prison. They argue that solidarity will ultimately help them ensure that everyone receives an equal share of resources in prison and that no one dies of hunger. Believing that loyalist philosophy promotes equality in prison, Perempuan blindly follows them, but Zamyatin struggles to adapt. He is often tempted by the idea of ​​eating other people’s food, and even secretly eats a few things that don’t belong to him.

Things take a dark turn when the two characters find themselves on one of the lower levels of the prison with no access to food. Since the food does not reach their level, they soon realize the importance of Loyalist law and how it can ensure that even the people on the lower levels are fed. The characters also learn that Loyalists must enforce their socialist message. If someone refuses to follow their rules and consumes more than is expected of them, the four people directly above them will have to give them their due by killing them.

Explanation of the barbarians and their uprising in Platform 2

Barbarians serve themselves on platform 2

Barbarians have a capitalist mindset V Platform 2. Instead of believing in solidarity, they serve themselves by consuming as much food as possible when given the opportunity. They understand that they cannot always end up on one of the upper levels of the central vertical prison. So when they have access to an abundance of food, they should take the moment and indulge themselves because they will eventually face the pain and burden of food shortages in the lower levels.

Having initially supported the loyalists, Perempuan sees the lengths they are willing to go to ensure solidarity in prison. Their supreme leader, Dagin Babi, shows no mercy even to those who unknowingly misinterpret the law, and mercilessly kills those who break his rules twice. Dagin Babi’s ruthlessness prompts Perempuan to begin a rebellion with the barbarians, during which she moves from one level to another, convincing many to unite against the oppressive methods of the Anointed One.

To fight back, Dagin Babi and his supporters are developing a plan. They ensure that no food reaches the level at which the barbarians have established their base, believing that they will gradually weaken due to lack of food. Once the barbarians are weak enough to be easily subdued, Dagin Babi hopes to crush their rebellion and restore his dominance. However, the barbarians refuse to retreat and resort to cannibalism to ensure their survival. This ultimately forces Dagin Babi and his army to wage war against the barbarians, which does not end well for either faction.

How the two factions relate to Platform 2’s social themes

The film criticizes socialism and capitalism through two factions

Platform 2 initially sounds like a critique of trickle-down economicswhere the people at the top (representing the rich) enjoy an abundance of resources while the people at the bottom barely survive. Those in the upper levels eat until they vomit, while those in the lower levels don’t even get a crumb. However, having initially shed light on the problems of an extreme capitalist society, Platform 2 also shows that socialism may not be as perfect as it seems.

Portraying the repressive rule of Dagin Babi, Platform 2 shows how authoritarian and unfair the system created to promote solidarity is. He advocates public support and unity, but contradicts himself by promoting violence and brutality. At the same time, Platform 2The final arc asks viewers to think critically about both economic systems instead of encouraging them to support one over the other.