I am not a big fan of Machine Gun Kelly’s songs (they aren’t part of my music taste), but Downfalls High was actually really good.
Downfalls High is a 2021 short film directed by MGK and Mod Sun. The two created the movie/music video so MGK’s album, Tickets To My Downfall, could come to life. I usually do not watch music videos because I often feel like they don’t match with their songs. However, this short film captured my attention.
The film tells the story of a boy named Fenix, an outcast at school, and Scarlett, the popular girl. The two cross paths and end up forming a bond that no one expected. They fall in love with each other, and everything is going great until one unfortunate night when Scarlett loses her life in a car accident. From there, Fenix tries to cope with her being gone by starting a band because she had always told him to do it. The story ends with him doing everything Scarlett wanted him to do as a way to honor her death, but while doing so he slowly loses his sanity. The protagonist is played by Cole Chase Hudson (Huddy), and Scarlett is played by Sydney Sweeney.
The story is told in the order of the album, playing all 15 songs except the first song, “… title track.” Below you will find the order in which the songs are played:
- “Kiss kiss”
- “Drunk face”
- “Bloody valentine”
- “Forget me too (feat. Halsey)”
- “All I know (feat. Trippie Redd)”
- “Lonely”
- “WWI”
- “Concert for aliens”
- “My ex’s best friend (feat. Blackbear)”
- “Jawbreaker”
- “Nothing inside (feat. Iann Dior)”
- “Banyan tree – interlude”
- “Play this when I’m gone”
- “Body bag (feat. YUNGBLUD & The Used)”
I highly recommend watching this short film! As I mentioned earlier, I do not listen to MGK’s songs but this was an exception. It had a full story arc; a start, middle and end. Aside from delivering a good story, it makes you feel nostalgic because of how the movie is directed. Certain shots of the camera make it feel as if you’re transported back to the 2000s. Overall, it was a great film and album that I recommend everyone look into if you want to explore new music.