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Drama

The Fallout (2022): Cast, Ratings & Ending

The Fallout (2022) movie poster

The Fallout is a 2022 drama directed by Megan Park, starring Jenna Ortega as Vada Cavell, Lumi Pollack and Niles Fitch. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes. Critics gave it 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 84 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10.

IMDb rating
7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
91%
Echo Score
67
Metascore
84
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The Fallout (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 32m (92 min)
Director
Megan Park
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
Studio
HBO Max
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Fallout About?

The premise of The Fallout without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Following a devastating loss, a high school student named Vada navigates grief and unexpected change. She pushes herself outside of her familiar routines, forming new connections and re-evaluating her relationships. An evolving friendship with Mia proves particularly supportive, helping Vada embrace a more genuine and hopeful path forward as she seeks self-discovery.

The Fallout Themes & Keywords

· 36 tags
  • girl kisses a girl
  • lesbian
  • high school
  • female female kiss
  • therapist
  • manic pixie dream lesbian
  • discussions about sex
  • drug consumption
  • friendship
  • friend
  • hbo max
  • overalls
+24 more
  • school shooting
  • school
  • discussion about sex
  • sex discussion
  • discussion of losing virginity
  • bad language
  • swearing
  • profanity
  • profanities
  • drug taking
  • drug use
  • smoking cannabis
  • cannabis
  • smoking
  • alcohol consumption
  • underage alcohol consumption
  • teen alcohol consumption
  • buying drugs
  • title directed by female
  • coming of age drama
  • teen drama
  • world
  • school tragedy
  • tragedy
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Cast & crew

The Fallout Cast & Characters

Jenna Ortega leads the cast as Vada Cavell, with Lumi Pollack as Amelia Cavell and Niles Fitch as Quinton Hasland. Directed by Megan Park; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Fallout

· 6 more
From the director

More from Megan Park

One more film directed by Megan Park: My Old Ass.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Fallout Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Fallout 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 84 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 67/100, strongest in art & craft (78) and weakest in sensory experience (60).

67 /100

The Fallout Echo Score Breakdown

The Fallout delivers a stark, emotionally resonant examination of trauma after a school shooting, anchored by a compelling central performance and measured direction. Critics commend its honest portrayal and nuanced tone, while some viewers note filler moments, predictable beats, and a visual style that echoes other teen dramas. Ultimately, the film stands as a solid, if imperfect, character study that rewards attentive viewing.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of direction and visual craft, the film is noted for its stark, understated palette and disciplined tone. Critics highlight Megan Park's handling of sensitive material and striking cinematography, while a few users describe an uneven start and occasional over‑styled sequences reminiscent of other series. Overall, the craft is regarded as purposeful and effective.

  • Character & Emotion 68

    When it comes to character work, Jenna Ortega's performance is consistently praised as nuanced and authentic. Supporting actors receive mixed reactions; some viewers find them forgettable or miscast, yet others acknowledge moments of genuine emotional weight. The ensemble therefore delivers a respectable, if uneven, portrait of grief and resilience.

  • Story & Flow 65

    The narrative centers on post‑tragedy survival, offering a sincere but familiar exploration of trauma. Critics appreciate its honest engagement, while certain users criticize filler scenes and a lack of originality, noting parallels to existing teen‑drama tropes. Pacing improves after a messy opening, resulting in a story that is solid but not groundbreaking.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    Sensory elements such as sound design and visual style receive varied feedback. The film’s raw, austere aesthetic is praised for enhancing its emotional tone, yet some viewers point to jarring music choices and an over‑styled feel that echoes other productions. The overall sensory experience is effective but occasionally distracting.

  • Rewatch Factor 62

    Rewatch value is moderate; the film’s emotional honesty and memorable moments encourage repeat viewings for many, while others describe it as comparable to a made‑for‑TV effort that lacks lasting impact. The combination of poignant scenes and occasional unevenness yields a modest appetite for revisiting the film.

Plot

The Fallout Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Fallout from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

High school student Vada goes to the restroom during class after receiving a call from her little sister, Amelia. It is during this time that tragedy strikes as a school shooting unfolds. Vada, along with her classmates Mia and Quinton, finds refuge in a stall, facing the harrowing reality of the situation as Quinton’s brother is among the victims.

Full summary

The whole story of The Fallout, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Videos

The Fallout Trailers & Videos

10 videos: 1 trailer, 4 clips, 3 featurettes and 2 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 10 videos
Official Trailer
  • Clip Full Movie Preview
  • Clip Ups and Downs Clip
  • Clip I Can't Imagine Clip
  • Clip Vada Gets High In Class
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Fallout?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Where does Vada initially seek refuge during the school shooting?

Cars

Cars in The Fallout

19 cars on screen, including the 2001 Jeep Cherokee and the 2012 Toyota Prius III.

All 19 cars
  • 2001 Jeep Cherokee in The Fallout 2001 Jeep Cherokee Important role
  • 2012 Toyota Prius III in The Fallout 2012 Toyota Prius III Important role
  • Ford Crown Victoria in The Fallout Ford Crown Victoria Minor role
  • 2018 Subaru WRX STi in The Fallout 2018 Subaru WRX STi Minor role
Details

The Fallout Also Known As

24 alternative titles, including “הנפילה” and “התפרקות”.

Also known as
  • הנפילה
  • התפרקות
  • The Life After - The Fallout
  • 폴아웃
  • A Vida Depois
  • Utóhatás
  • Následky
  • 不良后果
  • The Fallout: La vida después
  • Последствия
  • Posljedice
  • 墜落
+12 more
  • เดอะ ฟอลล์เอาท์
  • החיים שאחרי
  • The Life After
  • Nuosmukis
  • Болезнени последици
  • Następstwa
  • La vita dopo - The Fallout
  • Наслідки
  • フォールアウト
  • O Rescate
  • La Fallout
  • Viața de după

Seen The Fallout?

FAQ

The Fallout FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Fallout, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Fallout?

The Fallout runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).

When was The Fallout released?

The Fallout was released on January 27, 2022.

Who directed The Fallout?

The Fallout was directed by Megan Park.

More films by Megan Park

Who is in the cast of The Fallout?

The Fallout stars Jenna Ortega as Vada Cavell, Lumi Pollack as Amelia Cavell and Niles Fitch as Quinton Hasland, among 10 credited actors.

How is The Fallout rated?

The Fallout has 7.0/10 on IMDb, 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 84 on Metacritic and 76% on TMDB.

Does The Fallout have a post-credit scene?

No. The Fallout has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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