‘Fall 2: Deadpoint’ CinemaScore Revealed as Critics Split on Whether the Sequel Reaches New Heights

Survival thrillers set on treacherous cliffsides don’t come around often, especially ones built around a premise as narrow as a single mountain and two people fighting to stay alive. That specificity is exactly what made 2022’s “Fall” such an unlikely success story, turning a modest $3 million production into a genuine box office and streaming hit.

That original film followed best friends Becky Connor and Shiloh Hunter as they attempted to climb a decommissioned 2,000-foot TV tower, a decision that quickly spiraled into a desperate fight for survival. Its unexpected popularity, particularly after landing on Netflix, convinced Lionsgate to greenlight not one but multiple sequels in relatively quick succession.

The first of those follow-ups has now arrived, and audience reaction is settling in. “Fall 2: Deadpoint” received a B- CinemaScore from opening night audiences, according to CinemaScore’s official tracking, giving the studio an early read on how general moviegoers are responding compared to the acclaim that helped propel the original film’s afterlife on streaming.

“Fall 2: Deadpoint” shifts its focus to Jax Hunter, played by Harriet Slater, the older sister of the first film’s Shiloh, who agrees to a tribute climb proposed by Shiloh’s daring friend Luce, played by Arsema Thomas. According to Wikipedia, the two travel to Thailand to conquer a treacherous plank walk on Mount Kwan, only for a sudden rockslide to leave them trapped at a terrifying height of 3,000 feet.

Directed by Peter and Michael Spierig, taking over from original director Scott Mann, the sequel was written once again by Mann alongside Jonathan Frank, who both return as producers on the project. That returning writing team helped ensure some narrative continuity even as the directing chair changed hands for the follow-up.

Reviews for “Fall 2: Deadpoint” have landed in more mixed territory than its predecessor. The film currently sits at 50% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 10 reviews, with critics largely agreeing the film doesn’t climb high enough to fully justify itself as a worthy follow-up to the original’s tightly focused thriller formula.

SlashFilm’s review acknowledged that while the sequel lacks the original’s sense of originality and underdog appeal, it still manages to carve out its own identity through wild, escalating set pieces. Meanwhile, a review from Brian Orndorf was more skeptical, describing the film as arriving with “very little pop culture momentum” and calling it essentially “a remake” of the original that mirrors the previous release rather than pushing the concept in new directions.

Not every critic came away disappointed, however. A review from Eat Your Fears praised the film’s relentless pacing and the chemistry between Slater and Thomas, describing “Fall 2” as “unrelenting” despite some eye-rolling moments that inevitably invite comparison to the first installment.

Given how the first “Fall” ultimately found its biggest audience after its theatrical run ended, industry observers are already speculating that “Fall 2: Deadpoint” could follow a similar pattern, potentially resonating more strongly with casual viewers once it eventually reaches streaming platforms without the direct comparison baggage tied to its predecessor’s unexpected success.

With a B- CinemaScore suggesting a reasonably positive, if unspectacular, reception from opening night crowds, “Fall 2: Deadpoint” appears positioned as a solid theatrical performer rather than a breakout hit. Whether the film ultimately finds the same second life its predecessor did remains to be seen as it continues its run in theaters.

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