Set in the year 1969 at a rural British girls' school, The Falling delves into the depths of a bizarre fainting and twitching epidemic that rapidly captures the students, sparking confusion and fear. At the heart of this mysterious outbreak are two bright and contrasting girls: Lydia Lamont, portrayed by Maisie Williams, a keen and intelligent student, and the alluring yet rebellious Abbie Mortimer, played by Florence Pugh. Both girls, just sixteen years old, indulge in a symbolic act of friendship by carving their initials into a grand English oak tree that stands over a magical pond, vowing to remain connected forever. However, as time goes on, Lydia's anxiety grows, realizing that Abbie is beginning to drift away from her.
Surrounding Lydia is a loyal group of friends, including the determined prefect Susan (Anna Burnett), who harbors a longing to be like Abbie, and the skeptical Titch (Rose Caton), who seems to remain untouched by the affliction. In this storm of adolescent emotion, only Kenneth, Lydia's older brother and a solitary figure drawn to the occult and ley-lines, played by Joe Cole, provides her a semblance of comfort. As Lydia grapples with her inner turmoil, the well-meaning art teacher, Miss Charron (Morfydd Clark), inadvertently becomes intertwined in the growing chaos of the fainting epidemic.
As the outbreak intensifies, Lydia is engulfed in the tumultuous atmosphere of her school and challenging home life, prompting her to seek the truth behind the disturbances. She challenges the authority figures surrounding her: her self-involved mother, Eileen (Maxine Peake), the strict deputy head Miss Mantel (Greta Scacchi), and the cryptic and powerful headmistress Miss Alvaro (Mónica Dolan). The heart-wrenching narrative explores Lydia’s struggles as each revelation forces long-buried secrets into the light, ultimately uncovering a truth more alarming than she could have ever imagined.
One sequence echoes the haunting nature of their environment: a children's song resonates in a secluded, opulent forest, as Lydia reflects on past moments of passion witnessed through a car's window. Inside the school, Abbie struggles with her health; Miss Mantel scrutinizes her skirt length and checks for any marks on her body. It is here that we see glimpses of heartfelt moments amid tension, such as when Lydia tenderly strokes Abbie’s hair while they paint in the rain-soaked forest, taking refuge in their artistic expression. However, things take a darker turn when Abbie reveals her troubling suspicion of pregnancy, claiming denial over the possible consequences of her actions.
As conflicts escalate, including a significant scene where Lydia embodies frustration by throwing dye on the floor amidst a struggling family dynamic with her uninterested mother, the true complexity of their situation becomes apparent. Abbie grapples with the implications of her potential pregnancy and subsequently faints, initiating a series of crises that grip the students, where whispers of hysteria reverberate among the teaching staff.
In the narrative's climax, the fainting epidemic consumes the school, with even faculty members succumbing to the mysterious ailment. Within the chaos, Lydia's resilience is tested as she spirals deeper into a web of fear, confrontation, and eventual despair, culminating in a heart-wrenching moment that binds her fate with Abbie’s. In her desperate search for understanding, Lydia ultimately rejoices in her revelations, its conclusion illustrating profound realizations of connection intertwined with her harrowing journey.
In a captivating blend of friendship, loss, and self-discovery, The Falling invites the audience to witness the haunting siren call of youth, veiled in mystery and profound truths that resonate deeply within the spirit of its characters.
