Watch The Falling

The Falling is a drama/mystery film that was released in April 2015. The movie was directed by Carol Morley and stars Maisie Williams, Florence Pugh, and Maxine Peake. The movie is set in a British all-girls school in the late 1960s and tells the story of a mysterious fainting epidemic that afflicts the students. The story centers on Lydia (played by Maisie Williams), a rebellious student who is best friends with Abbie (played by Florence Pugh). Abbie is the leader of a group of popular girls who are obsessed with their new art teacher, Ms. Mantel (played by Greta Scacchi). Lydia is having a difficult time at home, as she is dealing with the recent death of her father and her mother's subsequent depression. She looks up to Abbie and idolizes her, but she also resents her for being so perfect and having everything she doesn't.

One day, while Abbie and Lydia are sitting in class, Abbie suddenly faints. The same thing happens to Lydia not long after. The fainting episodes quickly spread to other girls in the class, and the school is soon gripped by panic as they try to figure out what is causing the fainting.

As the epidemic continues, the relationships between the girls begin to fray. Jealousy, infighting, and power struggles emerge as the girls try to make sense of what is happening to them. Lydia, who has always been at odds with the popular girls, starts to become a leader in her own right. She befriends a shy girl named Greta (played by Anna Burnett) who is also affected by the fainting. Together, they try to investigate the cause of the epidemic.

The Falling is a visually stunning film, with beautiful cinematography and a haunting score. The film has a dreamy, ethereal quality that complements the mysterious and supernatural elements of the story. At times, the film feels like a fever dream, as the characters move through eerie forests and hallways, their movements slow and deliberate.

The performances in the movie are uniformly excellent. Maisie Williams, known for her role as Arya Stark in Game of Thrones, gives a strong performance as Lydia. She captures the character's anger, vulnerability, and strength with nuance and subtlety. Florence Pugh also shines as Abbie, conveying both the character's charisma and her inner turmoil. Maxine Peake is also fantastic as Lydia's mother, a woman struggling to hold herself together in the aftermath of her husband's death.

The Falling touches on a number of themes, including female adolescence, grief, and sexual awakening. The film explores the complex relationships between the girls, their teachers, and their families. It also delves into the idea of hysteria and how it has been used to dismiss women's experiences throughout history.

Overall, The Falling is a captivating and thought-provoking film that will linger with you long after the credits have rolled. The movie is a masterful blend of drama, mystery, and supernatural elements, and features standout performances from its cast. Fans of atmospheric films and coming-of-age stories should not miss this one.

The Falling is a 1987 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes.