7 Critical Warnings Parents Must Know Before Watching The Survival Thriller ‘Fall’ (2022)

Released in 2022, the survival thriller Fall quickly became a must-watch for fans of high-stakes, claustrophobic cinema. As of December 10, 2025, it remains a popular streaming choice, but its premise—two women stranded 2,000 feet in the air on an abandoned TV tower—raises immediate concerns for parents about its suitability for younger or sensitive viewers. This comprehensive guide breaks down the film’s content, from its intense peril to its language and minimal gore, to help you make an informed decision.

The film is a masterclass in tension, exploiting the universal fear of heights (acrophobia) to its absolute maximum. While it holds a PG-13 rating, this designation can be misleading, as the sheer psychological intensity and several scenes of graphic injury and strong language push the boundaries of what many parents consider appropriate for younger teenagers.

The Cast, Crew, and Core Entities of the 2,000-Foot Thriller

To establish topical authority, understanding the key figures and the fictional setting is crucial. Fall was a relatively low-budget film that achieved massive success by leveraging its terrifying premise and the genuine chemistry of its two leads. The film’s focus is almost entirely on the two protagonists and their desperate situation.

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• Director: Scott Mann (Co-Writer)
• Writers: Scott Mann and Jonathan Frank
• Protagonist: Becky Connor (Played by Grace Caroline Currey)
• Protagonist: Shiloh "Hunter" Hunter (Played by Virginia Gardner)
• Supporting Cast: Mason Gooding (Dan, Becky’s deceased husband) and Jeffrey Dean Morgan (James Connor, Becky’s father)
• The Setting: The B67 TV Tower (Fictional, 2,000 feet / 610 meters tall)
• The Genre: Survival Thriller / Psychological Thriller
• Key Theme: Acrophobia (Fear of Heights) and overcoming grief

Grace Caroline Currey (Becky) is known for her roles in the DC Extended Universe, notably as Mary Bromfield in Shazam! and Shazam! Fury of the Gods. Virginia Gardner (Hunter) is recognized for her work in the Marvel series Runaways and the 2018 Halloween reboot. Their commitment to performing many of their own stunts added to the film’s realistic, harrowing feel, making the peril even more immediate and intense for viewers.

Detailed Content Breakdown: Why ‘Fall’ is Rated PG-13

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) assigned Fall a PG-13 rating primarily for "bloody images, intense peril, and strong language." The film’s 107-minute runtime is packed with scenes designed to induce anxiety, making it a challenging watch for anyone with a fear of heights or general anxiety.

1. Intense and Prolonged Peril (The Core Concern)

The entire second and third acts of the film are a continuous, escalating survival scenario. This is the single biggest factor for parental caution.

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• Acrophobia Trigger: The camera work is designed to emphasize the dizzying height of the B67 TV Tower. The shots are wide, showcasing the vast distance to the ground, and often look straight down, which can be extremely unsettling.
• Physical Danger: Becky and Hunter face constant threats of slipping, falling, and the structural integrity of the rusted, dilapidated tower. The ladder collapses, leaving them stranded on a small platform with no way down.
• Animal Attack: A sequence involves a vulture, which is both a source of tension and contributes to the "bloody images" as the women struggle to fend it off.
• Death/Injury: The film begins with a fatal rock-climbing accident involving Becky’s husband, Dan, which is a graphic and traumatic event that sets the emotional tone for the rest of the film. Another character falls from the tower later in the film, though the impact itself is not explicitly shown, the circumstances are dire and shocking.

2. Language and Profanity Warnings

The PG-13 rating is often a signal that a film contains strong language, but not an excessive amount of the most severe profanity (the "F-word" count is typically limited to one or two for a PG-13). However, Fall contains enough frequent and strong profanity to warrant caution.

• Strong Language Frequency: Characters, under extreme duress and fear, use a significant amount of profanity. This includes the "F-word," "S-word," and various other expletives used frequently throughout the film as reactions to their terrifying predicament.
• Context: The language is not used gratuitously but as an expression of fear, frustration, and desperation, which may be a more impactful context for younger viewers.

The Specifics: Blood, Gore, and Mature Themes

While Fall is not a "gore" movie in the traditional sense, the "bloody images" are a key part of the MPA rating and are directly tied to the survival aspect. Parents should be aware of these specific instances.

3. Bloody Images and Minor Gore

The blood in the film is primarily related to injuries sustained on the tower, not graphic violence or dismemberment.

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• Wound Detail: A character sustains a significant cut on her leg while climbing the tower, and blood is visibly shown on the wound. This injury becomes a running concern as the film progresses.
• Post-Fall Imagery: While the camera cuts away from the impact of the major fall, the initial rock-climbing accident is shown, and the aftermath of injuries and the general decay of the tower structure contribute to a grim, realistic atmosphere.
• Vulture Scene: The interaction with the vulture is intense and involves struggle, which implies injury and is a source of tension and potentially disturbing imagery.

4. Sexual Content and Nudity

The sexual content in Fall is minimal and non-graphic.

• Kissing: A brief, non-sexual kiss occurs between Becky and her husband, Dan, during the opening rock-climbing scene.
• Attire: The characters wear athletic and casual clothing appropriate for climbing. Hunter, in particular, is noted for wearing a slightly revealing top, which is briefly commented on in the film itself, but there is no nudity.

5. Mature and Disturbing Themes

The psychological weight of the film is arguably more intense than the physical danger. This is where the film earns its "psychological thriller" tag.

• Grief and Trauma: The entire plot is driven by Becky’s struggle to cope with the death of her husband, Dan. Themes of trauma, depression, and reckless behavior as a coping mechanism are central to the story.
• Betrayal and Friendship: The film features a significant plot twist involving the friendship between Becky and Hunter. This element of interpersonal betrayal, revealed under life-or-death circumstances, adds an emotional layer of maturity and complexity that may require discussion with younger viewers.
• Desperation and Survival: The women resort to desperate measures to survive, including attempting to send messages via a drone and their cell phone, and facing the reality of starvation and dehydration.

Parental Recommendation and Age Guidance

Given the specific content of Fall, a general guideline can be established for parental discretion.

• Ages 16 and Up: Generally considered appropriate, especially for teens who enjoy the survival thriller genre and can handle intense psychological stress and strong profanity.
• Ages 13–15 (Parental Guidance Strongly Suggested): The film is technically rated for this age group, but parents should be aware of the intense, sustained anxiety, strong language, and themes of death and trauma. If your child has a known fear of heights (acrophobia) or is sensitive to stressful, prolonged peril, this film is highly likely to be disturbing.
• Under 13: Not recommended due to the sustained intensity of the peril, the use of strong language, and the mature themes of death and grief.

Ultimately, Fall is a critically well-received, terrifyingly effective thriller that delivers on its premise. Its PG-13 rating is accurate for the level of blood and language, but the intense psychological peril is what truly sets it apart. Discussing the themes of grief, friendship, and the fictional nature of the B67 TV Tower (which was inspired by a real structure but is not a true story) can help contextualize the experience for older teens.