by Daisia Smith ‘22

The Fallout, a film streaming on HBOMax, creates a realistic narrative surrounding a tragedy many Americans, unfortunately, know all too well: school shootings. Throughout the film, the viewers follow the main character Vada (played by Jenna Ortega) as well as Mia (played by Maddie Ziegler) as they undergo trauma following surviving a school shooting. While these child stars have not previously taken on such serious roles, their performances in The Fallout are amazing. The way Ortega and Ziegler convey the toll that the shooting had on their characters is shockingly realistic.

Although Vada is the protagonist, her classmate Mia is another example of people dealing with trauma. At the beginning of the film, Vada is laid back and presents herself as nonchalant/unamused with others’ opinions, yet is seemingly connected with her family. Mia has been portrayed as a Social Media Influencer with plenty of followers whose parents are out of town working most of the time leaving her home all alone. After running into each other in the bathroom, the girls begin to hear gunshots and hide in a stall with one another. The scene is fast-paced and emotions are high as several shots are heard and Vada and Mia frantically comfort one another while hiding from the gunman who is wandering the halls. Although the two girls can be seen as complete opposites of one another in plain sight, through their healing processes and Mia’s empty home, their freedom and explorations allow them to realize they are way more similar than they first believed, which develops the coming of age feeling often presented in teen movies. 

The Fallout deals with the everlasting impact that teenagers endure after surviving violence within schools, and the film also shows how the ‘grace period’ is not entirely the same for everyone, and letting go is easier for some than others. While some characters decide to use their pain and anger to protest for gun safety and participate in interviews to ensure no one else would have to deal with this trauma, others like Ortega’s character began to drift away from their families and turn to drugs and other risky behaviors to camouflage and distract themselves from some of the pain inflicted. Although it was made clear that some of Vada’s coping mechanisms are not healthy, it is important for it to be included because it emphasizes the vastly different reactions from all of the protagonists and highlights how none of them are ‘bad people’ for reacting the way they did given the circumstances. 

Initially, some teenagers were hesitant to watch The Fallout as the advertising videos on social media platforms include gunshot noises which made many uncomfortable, especially those with trauma who may not have been ready to relive that moment. Although a disclaimer definitely should have been used to protect those who are more sensitive to the topic, the complexities of all the characters are compelling and viewers who are emotionally prepared to watch the film may be left speechless as the final credits roll. Ziegler, Ortega and the rest of the ensemble cast do a superb job of expressing their difference, yet embracing their similarities and working with one another to heal from such a horrific event.

Grade: A-