I've got a very healthy fear of heights and, at the very least, this film was effective at giving me some second hand anxiety. Unfortunately, second hand anxiety isn't enough to carry a feature film. The writing is melodramatic, the performances unconvincing, and the premise would probably be too thin regardless. It turns out that a single square meter set doesn't make for the most engaging film making. Who could have guessed. Admittedly, the writers make a valiant effort to find ways to fill out the time, even delivering an overused twist that I absolutely should have seen coming yet somehow didn't (I blame the aforementioned lack of engagement). Even in terms of spectacle the movie did very little for me. When the entire 360 degree backdrop is often just the sky, the visual interest isn't really there. In terms of the big set-piece "action" moments, there really were only two or three, with the rest of the film having to artificially generate tension through close ups on wobbling bolts and sweaty palms. A couple final miscellaneous points of criticism: (1) the opening sequence felt like a pretty direct rehash of Vertical Limit (2000); (2) suspension of disbelief was lost pretty quickly, with a complete disregard for realism at multiple critical points; and (3) the ending felt abrupt.
Anxiety inducing movie with a nice twist.
Initially I didn't feel like I wanted to watch this movie. Two skilled climbers go climb an abandoned tower and get stuck on top. It immediately reminded me of '43 meters down' but then I heard good things about it and that it had a nice twist so I caved.
I have to say it didn't disappoint. It's a thrilling, anxiety inducing movie that keeps that same feel throughout.
The twist was cool but not very shocking to me. When Hunter falls I immediately had my suspicions because I didn't imagine Becky being strong enough to pull her up and when she fell asleep and dreamed of the vultures I knew she was half out of it. Then the bag fell and it was absolutely clear to me.
The story had a nice pace. It kept me on the edge of my seat. Characters are relatable in the way that they show grief in their own different ways. Not in the way that I understand climbing that tower... I would never.
Hunter is probably meant to be unlikable because she cheated with her best friend's husband (fiance at the time). but I found her kind of cool. She is strong, quick and smart.
So actually a surprisingly good movie!
Review by Paladin5150BlockedParent2022-08-12T08:10:21Z— updated 2022-09-01T02:17:24Z
@DrewMarz - I had to re-read your comment to realize what you were actually saying, which is, that the movie actually got to you. Yes, it is as a fellow movie goer commented afterwards, "a bit silly in places", but, we both agreed that, the movie ratcheted up the tension and kept it there the whole time, and, there were several effective jump scares, (the first one was a doozy) and, the others were also effective, especially because of the "twist" in the ad poster. Some interpersonal drama weaves it's way into the tale toward the third act, but, it was done in a way that didn't break your suspension of disbelief, and actually pulled me into the story more, as I wanted to see how things would be resolved and if their "Besties" relationship could be saved. The two leads are believable, even when doing something as IMO stupid as climbing a rusty, decommissioned 2000' ft tower in the middle of the desert. But, the instigator in this drama is "that friend" who always talks folks into doing said stupid shizz, for giggles, grins, and the "Gram" or YouTube, yet, they always seem to come out unscathed.
We've actually had several instances of similar behavior IRL recently, one unfortunate soul shedding his mortal coil from 1000 or so feet up, and one near miss just the other day:
https://unofficialnetworks.com/2022/08/10/watch-idiot-jumps-bryce-canyon/
Silly Rabbits!!! But I digress. In any case, I found the story compelling, as well as @DrewMarz opined, "anxiety inducing" and, I learned that vulture "tastes like chicken" in a pinch. Jeffrey Dean Morgan leaves "Lucille" in the bat rack long enough to dispense some fatherly wisdom and tough (non-concussive) love, and, even though I sussed out the final twist several minutes before it was revealed, I still enjoyed the conclusion and resolution. I will say though that the writers miss a perfect opportunity to hat tip Chief Brody, and have one of the girls say, "we're gonna need a LONGER rope!".