A Psychological Horror Thriller
Bird Box is a post apocalyptic horror thriller movie released in 2018 and directed by Susanne Bier. It is based on a novel written by Josh Malerman in 2014 with the same name. The film was made available on Netflix, where it gained a lot of viewers thanks to its unique concept and suspense. The movie features top talented actors led by Sandra Bullock, and it combines survival drama and psychological horror, making it one of Netflix’s most popular films.
Plot Summary
The film is about Malorie Hayes (Sandra Bullock), a woman who tries to survive in a world dominated by an unseen supernatural entity that drives people into insanity and suicide once they behold it. The film is told in dual timelines, one in the current time, where Malorie along with two children: Boy and Girl, go on a perilous journey down a river blindfolded, and another one set in the past, which explains the circumstances that led to this desperate escape.
The horror emerges after a global cataclysmic event triggers numerous suicides, seemingly induced by something only the afflicted can perceive. As society crumbles, Malorie seeks shelter in a house where several survivors reside, amongst them Douglas, Tom, and Olympia. She joins in forming rules for survival, such as blocking the windows, blindfolding themselves while outside, and never speaking to anyone who says “seeing” beside them.
With the situation deteriorating, Malorie has no choice but to set out on a forbidden journey down a river with the two children. As she embarks on her journey, she must solely depend on an audio device that guides her from a presumed location. With both the entities and other dangers waiting around every corner, Malorie has to be on high alert. In order to keep herself and the children alive, she has to draw strength from within.
Cast and Characters
Sandra Bullock as Malorie Hayes – A scared yet firm mother figure determined to protect two children caught in a world mired in destruction.
Trevante Rhodes as Tom – Compassionate, strong-hearted survivor who becomes the closest ally to Malorie.
John Malkovich as Douglas – A hardened realist and self-interested survivor, deeply cynical with low regard for the virtues of others.
Sarah Paulson as Jessica Hayes – Sister to Malorie, who was the starting point for the shocking plague and ultimately her end.
Danielle Macdonald as Olympia – A simple yet compassionate young woman who is pregnant and seeks for protection under Malorie’s care.
Lil Rel Howery as Charlie – He holds a position within a supermarket and attempts to make sense about the entities which are not fully understood.
Tom Hollander as Gary – A malevolent survivor who outlines the threats that those who have the ability to see the creatures but remain unaffected.
Themes and Symbolism
While being a horror movie, Bird Box explores fear on a different level.
Fear of the Unknown – The creatures are never fully shown, which adds to the horror aspect of the movie.
Survival and Motherhood – Malorie symbolizes the selfless struggling parents since she had to be both overbearing and nurturing at the same time.
Trust and Human Nature – Relationships and interactions among the survivors illustrate issues of trust, paranoia, and primal instincts during the state of emergency.
Blindness as Strength – The inability to see is often considered as a weakness, but in Bird Box, it is an asset to survive.
Reception and Audience Impact
After its release, Bird Box became a global hit, giving rise to discussions and memes on almost every social media platform. Reviews were mixed to positive, gaining a score of 60% on Rotten Tomatoes:
Critics’ Response – Supported by some as good narrative practice and suspense storytelling along with a great performance from Sandra Bullock, while others regarded the film as another run-of-the-mill post apocalypse movie.
Reaction From The Audience: This riveting drama was deeply engrossing and emotionally capturing, making it one of the top watched original films in Netflix history.
Performance On Box Office and Streaming Platforms
In the first week alone Bird Box had over 45 million views. As such, this was Netflix’s most streamed film during that period.
It sustained the Top 10 films on Netflix for several years, showing its dented popularity.
Chances of Sequels
A sequel, now titled Malorie, based on Josh Malerman’s follow up novel from 2020, is said to be in production. It will presumably deal with life post Bird Box in addition to continued survival and new dimensions to the creatures themselves.
Conclusive Remarks
Psychological horror Bird Box stands out as gripping with its blend of unseen dramas. The film indeed is a classic within the post-apocalyptic thriller genres given Domovan and Bullock’s phenomenal performance coupled with the chilling atmosphere in the film.