“The Fallout”: A Thorough Examination of Trauma
On Jan. 27, Warner Brothers Pictures and New Line Cinema released the American drama film “The Fallout” on the streaming platform Home Box Office (HBO). Directed by Megan Park, the film tells the story of Vada Cavell, played by Jenna Ortega, a high school student that copes with deep emotional trauma after a school shooting. As a result of this trauma, Vada takes drugs, withdraws from her family and distances herself from long-time friend Nick, played by Will Ropp, while also creating an unlikely friendship with dancer Mia. Mia–played by Maddie Ziegler–is a girl who hid with Vada in a bathroom stall during the shooting, which created a relationship that became an important plot point throughout the film, as the girls’ shared trauma leads them to form a close bond while they struggle to cope with what they experienced. The plot, while focusing on the messy parts of grief, helps viewers understand what exactly goes through the minds of school shooting survivors and the bumpy road to recovery after a traumatic event.
This central theme of trauma and recovery is beautifully captured through the cinematography and careful shooting of the movie, especially with its clever usage of perspective. In the beginning of the movie, Vada is positioned far from the camera, but when she texts Mia following the shooting, there are multiple close-ups. In these close-ups, one can clearly see Vada’s empty, teary eyes that are hesitant to text Mia back. As the conversation comes to a close, the camera zooms out, showing Vada’s body as she curls in a fetal position underneath her blanket. In these shots, Vada’s mannerisms are plastered over the screen and emphasized to viewers, putting her sadness and dejected emotions on full display. This helps viewers sympathize with her character, while also providing insight on the tender and sensitive process of healing. English 2 Honors and Advanced Placement Literature teacher Rebecka Dibble believes that these shots contributed greatly to the movie’s theme.
“This scene is very poignant and powerful in its depiction of teenagers trying to process a painful situation and the immediate aftermath,” Dibble said. “[When] the camera zoomed in on [Vada and Mia’s] faces, it really focused on their tears that they were shedding, [which] showed the [effects] that the trauma had on their lives.”
Likewise, the actors’ performances were nothing short of spectacular. In particular, Ortega’s portrayal of Vada was compassionate and impressive, as she expressed both Vada’s funny moments and her heartbreak following the shooting. In one moment, Vada shuts herself away from the world and is holed up in her room, but in another, she trots around Mia’s pool, laughing and goofing off. Furthermore, there was clear chemistry between the actors, especially Ortega and Ziegler, who worked fantastically in their roles. When they are together, their dialogue flows seamlessly–their lines are continuous and effortless, and both actresses feel sincere in their roles as Generation Z (Gen Z) teenagers as a result. After watching the movie, senior Claire Robinson believes that both Ortega and Ziegler excelled in their performances.
“When I was watching the movie, [Ortega and Ziegler] were always being themselves, and their portrayals felt very authentic,” Robinson said. “[Specifically,] Ortega felt very relatable, which was partly due to her [being] a Gen Z teenager.”
This relatability of “The Fallout” makes this film truly one-of-a-kind, as nothing is glossed over or glamorized, and the most significant, yet painful parts of reality are captured. For example, Vada cracks many jokes about the troubles of life, including her depression, anxiety and coffee-induced bowel movements. Despite the darkness of these jokes, they help Vada cope with her mental struggles after the shooting, as it is easier for her to laugh than address the issues at hand. Moreover, in an effort to numb her pain, Vada goes as far as to take ecstasy, drink alcohol and smoke weed, leading to a “fallout” in her relationships with her friends, sister and especially her mother. Vada’s attempts to cope with trauma largely contrasts with her friend Nick, who goes on television to talk about the importance of gun control and how he does not feel safe at school. This detail, while it may be small, provides a stark comparison between trauma responses: while Nick uses this painful event to take action and make a positive impact, Vada and Mia experience a decline in their mental health and seek ways to soothe the pain, even at the cost of their own relationships. However, none of these victims’ responses are neither wrong nor right; in fact, that is what “The Fallout” does a good job of–it reminds viewers that there is not one “correct approach” to responding to trauma, as people process situations differently. These sole experiences with trauma lead to different variations of coping, which junior Naomi Porter believes the film portrays well.
“The film shows that everyone responds to things differently and that there is not a right or wrong way to [react] to traumatic events [because] grief is multifaceted,” Porter said. “[For instance], some cope with drugs, others [discuss] with people and some exercise, so [responses] depend on a person’s morals, and how [they] respond to stress. [“The Fallout”] definitely shows some of the many ways people cope with a [stressful event].”Altogether, “The Fallout” is a heart-wrenching and dramatic film that perfectly summarizes grief, trauma and the many forms of recovery in just below two hours. Whether viewers want to educate themselves on the impact of gun violence and the complexity of grief, or simply seek a good drama to enjoy, this movie is an especially exceptional choice.
