The Fallout

The Fallout is a 2021 American drama film written and directed by Megan Park in her feature film directorial debut. The film stars Jenna Ortega as Vada Cavell, a high school student who navigates significant emotional trauma following a school shooting. The film also stars Maddie Ziegler, Julie Bowen, John Ortiz, Niles Fitch, Will Ropp, and Shailene Woodley in supporting roles. The score is composed by American musician and actor Finneas O'Connell. The Fallout had its premiere at South by Southwest on March 17, 2021, and was released on January 27, 2022, on HBO Max by New Line Cinema (via Warner Bros. Pictures). It received acclaim from critics, who praised the directing, screenplay, and O'Connell's score, and lauded Ortega's performance. Plot High school student Vada goes to the restroom in the middle of class after her little sister Amelia calls her when she has her first period. While she is in the bathroom, a school shooting occurs. Vada hides in a stall with her schoolmates Mia and Quinton, whose brother is killed in the shooting. In the weeks following the incident, Vada becomes depressed and isolated from her family and best friend Nick. She cannot bring herself to enter the bathroom where she hid, resulting in her urinating herself when she hears the sound of a soda can being crushed. In order to cope with her trauma, she takes ecstasy, and Nick has to help her through the resulting high. After another night of drinking, Vada and Mia kiss and have sex.