“The Fallout” Review: Jenna Ortega and Maddie Ziegler Explore Queerness and Trauma Together. Autostraddle

This role is widely considered one of Jenna Ortega's finest performances, showcasing her range before her superstardom in Wednesday .

It marked the directorial debut of Megan Park, known for her role in The Secret Life of the American Teenager .

The story centers on (played by Jenna Ortega ), an ordinary teenager whose life is shattered after she survives a mass shooting. During the event, she hides in a bathroom stall with two other students: Mia Reed (Maddie Ziegler), a popular influencer, and Quinton Hasland (Niles Fitch), whose brother is killed in the attack.

Shared trauma leads to a deep, complex friendship between Vada and Mia, which eventually evolves into a brief romantic attraction.

The film skips the typical political debates surrounding gun control, instead focusing on the survivors' internal struggles:

The characters experiment with drugs, alcohol, and behavioral changes as they try to "recalibrate" their lives. Key Highlights

Released on in early 2022, The Fallout is a poignant, high-school drama that focuses on the emotional aftermath of a school shooting. Directed by Megan Park , the film has been praised as a "defining movie for Gen Z," capturing the raw, messy reality of grief and trauma through an authentic lens. Plot Overview