Goreng (The Platform)

Goreng is the main protagonist of the 2019 Netflix original horror film The Platform. He's a man trapped in a vertical prison known as "The Pit," where inmates are housed in stacked levels and fed by a descending platform that carries food. 
Throughout the story, Goreng navigates the brutal and oppressive environment of The Pit, facing moral dilemmas, forming alliances, and attempting to instigate change.
He was portrayed by Iván Massagué.
==Biography==
===Life Before The Pit===
Goreng volunteered to spend six months in the facility as part of an agreement. In exchange for his voluntary admission, he would receive a diploma upon completion, indirectly quit smoking, and read Don Quixote. The decision to enter The Pit voluntarily suggests that Goreng had a life outside of the facility and made a conscious choice to enter it, possibly for personal reasons or to fulfill certain goals or obligations. During an interview process prior to entering The Pit, Goreng was asked what item he wanted to bring with him, and he chose the book Don Quixote.
===Level 48===
Goreng wakes up in a concrete room, greeted by an old man named Trimagasi, who informs him they're on Level 48 of "The Pit." They'll stay there for a month, eating leftovers from above. Goreng learns he volunteered for a six-month stint in The Pit in exchange for a diploma and other perks, choosing to bring the book Don Quixote. Trimagasi, on the other hand, ended up in The Pit after a fit of rage led to a fatal accident. As they spend time together, Goreng becomes aware of the grim reality of The Pit: there are over 132 levels, and food scarcity is a pressing issue. Despite Trimagasi's dismissive attitude, Goreng tries to advocate for rationing, but his efforts are futile. Their bond strengthens, but Goreng grows increasingly disturbed by Trimagasi's possible involvement in cannibalism. The arrival of Miharu, a woman searching for her son, adds a new dynamic to their situation. As the month ends, they prepare for a gas flood that will relocate them to a new level.
===Level 171===
Upon awakening, Goreng finds himself bound and gagged, realizing he's on Level 171 with Trimagasi. Trimagasi explains his plan to sustain them by slowly consuming Goreng's flesh over the month. As days pass, Goreng witnesses Trimagasi's routine and futilely pleads for mercy. Eventually, Trimagasi begins cutting into Goreng, but Miharu's sudden arrival allows Goreng to escape after she wounds Trimagasi. Freed, Goreng retaliates violently, stabbing Trimagasi until he collapses.
Afterward, Miharu helps Goreng recover and they consume Trimagasi's body. Goreng struggles with the act of cannibalism but ultimately adapts. As time passes, Goreng is haunted by Trimagasi's apparition, confronting the moral ambiguity of their actions.
===Level 33===
Goreng wakes up on a new level with a new cellmate, Imoguiri, and her dog, Ramesses II. Imoguiri reveals she knows Goreng's name and recognizes her as the woman who interviewed him. They discuss the purpose of The Pit, with Imoguiri explaining it's a social experiment to find "spontaneous solidarity" in humanity. Goreng criticizes her for bringing a dog, but Imoguiri insists she came voluntarily like him and there are enough levels for everyone to get food if rationed properly.
Despite Goreng's skepticism, they try to maintain order on their level. Imoguiri prepares rations, but the men on level 34 ignore her. Goreng becomes frustrated with the system and threatens to defecate on the food if they don't comply. Meanwhile, Imoguiri remains determined to persuade them peacefully.
Later, Miharu arrives injured, and they treat her wounds. However, Miharu kills Imoguiri's dog, revealing her unstable nature. Imoguiri shares Miharu's background, expressing her disillusionment with the facility after learning about its dark side.
On their last day, Goreng offers Imoguiri some untouched snails, but she refuses, mourning her dog. Despite the challenges, Goreng continues making rations, determined to maintain some sense of order.
===Level 202===
Goreng wakes up on level 202 to find Imoguiri has hanged herself, leaving her body as a "gift" for him. Trimagasi's manifestation appears, questioning if Goreng will eat her. Imoguiri talks about the symbolism of her body like that of Christ's. Goreng, horrified, tries to block out their words. When the platform arrives with no food, Goreng hesitates but eventually uses Trimagasi's knife to cut into Imoguiri's body, while Trimagasi continues to comment.
===Level 6===
Goreng has a nightmare where he's on level 6 with Miharu, who tries to kill him. He wakes up screaming to find his new cellmate, Baharat, suggesting they climb up to escape. They try, but those on level 5 betray them. The platform brings plenty of food, but the men only eat for themselves. Goreng sees those on level 7 wasting food. Trimagasi's ghost visits Goreng, urging him to recover and leave soon. Goreng plans to ride down to ration food with Baharat, who initially refuses. Goreng convinces him, and they ride down to level 7 to spread their plan. They face resistance but gain support until level 120, where they encounter violence and chaos. They try to save Miharu but fail, and the duo continues their descent despite injuries.
===Level 333===
They continue their journey, still passing food whenever they can as their wounds grow worse. They pass level 250 and Baharat reminds Goreng to stay strong, for they still had the panna cotta and thus their message is preserved. Eventually the platform stops on level 333, the last level. Seeing no one in sight, Baharat tells Goreng to prepare for the platform to rise. They are surprised to see however there is a child on the level. As they get off, the platform lowers into a darkness. Fearing the temperature change, Goreng demands Baharat to throw the panna cotta but the temperature doesn't change. The child approaches them and is revealed to be a girl. The two ultimately decide to sacrifice their message and give the hungry girl the panna cotta. The duo stay the night on the level as Goreng reads a verse from Don Quixote that says: wealth is not defined by quantity in ownership nor careless spending, but by spending it well. As he reads, Goreng is met by Trimagasi, who questions why Goreng sacrificed the comforts of level 6. When he responds he did it for his message, suddenly all of his cellmates manifest to help Goreng to realize the girl is the real message. When Goreng wakes up to tell this to Baharat, he finds that Baharat has bleed out from his wounds.
The next day, Goreng wakes the girl and the two board the platform and ride it down into the darkness. Inside the darkness, Goreng is met by Trimagasi, who assures Goreng his journey is finished and he must come with him. Goreng insists he must "bear" the message with the girl but Trimagasi assures him he doesn't need to. Goreng leaves the girl and walks further into the darkness with Trimigasi. The two turn back and ponder if the girl will be a successful message as the platform races back to the top.
==Personality==
Goreng, unlike many others in The Pit, is driven by a sense of empathy, determination, and a growing awareness of the injustices and complexities of the Vertical Self-Management Center (The Pit). He initially enters the facility voluntarily, driven by goals such as obtaining a diploma and overcoming personal challenges like quitting smoking. Despite facing horrifying situations, he maintains a sense of morality, empathy, and a desire to create change, even in the face of overwhelming odds. Goreng shows resilience and adaptability as he navigates the challenges of the prison, forming bonds with various cellmates and attempting to improve conditions through persuasion and, when necessary, confrontation. He is also introspective, often reflecting on the meaning of his actions and the larger implications of the system in which he is trapped. Throughout his journey, Goreng demonstrates a willingness to sacrifice personal comfort and safety for the greater good, ultimately emerging as a symbol of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
==External Links==
*Goreng (The Platform) on the Netflix Wiki.
*The Platform on the Horror Films Wiki.
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