Level 16 2019

Within the mysterious walls of Vestalis, a boarding school steeped in secrecy, a strict hierarchy dictates the lives of its young residents. The institution thrives on a principle of conformity, shaping girls into obedient and immaculate beings through the enforcement of “feminine virtues” characterized by subservience and meticulousness. The corridors echo with the presence of military discipline, where the ultimate reward for conformity is the chance of adoption by affluent families. Any deviation from this strict regimen is met with harsh punishment, instilling dread in all who live within these confines.

On Level 10, two inseparable friends, Sophia and Vivien, await their daily application of face cream, ready to be scrutinized by the ever-watchful surveillance camera. In a moment of impulsivity, Vivien steps outside the time limit to help Sophia, only to be violently taken away by the guards, her cries reverberating through the sterile hallways.

As time passes, the once-vibrant Vivien is moved to Level 16, where those who have reached the peak of conformity reside. Here, she reunites with Sophia, who is now a mere shadow of her former self. Sophia warns Vivien about the daily vitamins provided by their caretakers, which she reveals to be powerful sedatives designed to uphold the status quo.

That fateful night, as the girls pretend to sleep, Vivien and Olivia plot in whispers, their giggles contrasting sharply with the oppressive atmosphere. Their playful scheme is discovered, resulting in their transportation to a dimly lit lounge where Miss Brixil, the enigmatic manager of the facility, showcases them to an elderly couple interested in acquiring Vivien’s services.

As the evening unfolds, other girls are brought into the lounge only to be sent back to their dorms like automated dolls. Meanwhile, murmurs of discontent ripple among the guards, especially as Alex, a seemingly rebellious officer, expresses concerns about how he interacts with the girls. Miss Brixil’s hushed conversation with an unseen associate suggests something more sinister, as she cautions against allowing Alex unsupervised access to the girls.

Meanwhile, Dr. Miro takes care of the girls at the facility and informs them of a spreading contagious illness within certain wings. He administers what he calls a “vaccine” to Vivien and her friends, resulting in painful rashes and even seizures for some. Originally appearing to have good intentions towards Vivien, Dr. Miro’s attitude shifts dramatically upon learning that she has been lax with her medication; he swiftly injects her with a higher dose. As Sophia reveals her worries to Vivien about Alex’s unsettling late-night visits, she becomes more determined to take action, devising a plan to capture him and steal his key card. However, her efforts are thwarted when a girl named Ava reports Vivien for misbehavior, leading to her confinement for the night.

The next evening, with a new sense of determination, Sophia successfully steals Alex’s key card but is quickly caught under Dr. Miro’s stern watch. The authorities are bewildered by the disappearance of the card and ramp up their questioning of the girls. With a climate of fear growing, Rita is taken into custody as a warning to the others, who are threatened with daily retaliation until the card is recovered. As night descends, discussions between Dr. Miro and Miss Brixil hint at financial troubles and pressure from high-ranking entities that necessitate their ruthless operations.

In a daring move, Vivien discovers Sophia’s cleverly hidden key card behind her headboard, granting them the chance to escape. As they venture downstairs, they encounter a horrifying operating room filled with corpses, including the shocking sight of Rita’s discarded body, her skin gruesomely harvested. Vivien is adamant that they must leave immediately, but Sophia, showing fierce loyalty, refuses to abandon their fellow inmates. While Sophia sets out to rescue the others, Vivien stumbles upon a disconcerting video in the lounge, revealing the facility’s true nature as a hidden rejuvenation clinic run by Dr. Miro, where the girls are raised solely to harvest their skin for transplantation onto wealthy clientele.

As messages of caution from Sophia begin to resonate, she ultimately understands the gravity of their struggle. It isn’t until Vivien brings Miss Brixil into their confidence, unveiling the truth of their captors’ intentions, that action begins to form. With Miss Brixil safely confined, they take their chance to flee, all while being relentlessly pursued by guards. Although Sophia suffers an injury during the chaotic escape, they find sanctuary in a shed hidden behind a secure door. The building tension culminates in a nail-biting confrontation between Sophia and her pursuers. Meanwhile, Dr. Miro appears, his true intentions revealing a dark manipulation, as he tries to sway Vivien into betraying her friends. He reveals the shocking truth that they were all sold to the facility by their parents when they were infants.

Enraged, Vivien retaliates against Dr. Miro with a scalpel, her determination visible on her face. The outcome is swift as he is taken away to face the consequences of his actions, dictated by those who oversee the insidious clinic’s operations. In a climactic finish, Miro meets his end, allowing Sophia and Vivien to emerge from their hiding place, weary yet grateful for their survival.

The next morning delivers a new beginning as the sound of shattering glass heralds the arrival of rescue workers, determined to liberate the remaining girls. Hand in hand, Sophia and Vivien savor the liberating sensation of rain on their skin and the warmth of sunlight, relishing the taste of their hard-won freedom, which feels sweeter than they could have ever imagined.