Bird Box: A Gripping Thriller of Survival and Sacrifice in a Post-Apocalyptic World

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Welcome to the Netflix “Bird Box” movie page.

Bird Box’s Box Office Stats

According to Box Office Mojo, “Bird Box” grossed approximately $328 million worldwide during its theatrical run in 2018-2019. In its opening weekend, the movie made around $24.9 million in the United States and Canada, and it remained popular with audiences in the weeks that followed. The film’s success on Netflix, where it was released shortly after its theatrical run, is more difficult to quantify as the streaming service does not release viewership data. However, “Bird Box” was widely discussed on social media and became a cultural phenomenon in the weeks after its release, suggesting that it was also a significant hit on the streaming platform.

Bird Box Quick Plot Summary TL;DR

For those of you who don’t want to read a long ass page, here you go:

• Malorie (Sandra Bullock) is pregnant and living alone in a house when chaos breaks out on the streets. People begin to commit suicide in gruesome ways, and Malorie seeks refuge in a nearby house.
• The house is already inhabited by Tom (Trevante Rhodes), Douglas (John Malkovich), and other survivors who have boarded up the windows and doors. They have also discovered that the creatures responsible for the chaos cannot harm them if they do not see them.
• Malorie and the other survivors begin to ration their food and water, but tensions rise between them as they struggle to trust one another.
• Five years later, Malorie and two children (Girl and Boy, played by Vivien Lyra Blair and Julian Edwards) set out on a dangerous journey down a river to find a safe haven. They are blindfolded the entire time to avoid seeing the creatures.
• Along the way, they encounter several obstacles, including rapids, a group of dangerous survivors who force them to remove their blindfolds, and a crazed man (Gary, played by Tom Hollander) who has been institutionalized but has somehow survived the creatures.
• Malorie and the children finally reach a school for the blind, which has remained untouched by the creatures.

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Spoiler Alert! Don’t Read This. It’s Got A Plot Twist!

So, picture this: Sandra Bullock is blindfolded for most of the movie, and you’re thinking, “Oh no, what kind of monster is she hiding from?” But the twist is, there is no monster! Yup, that’s right folks, the big bad threat that has everyone losing their minds is… drumroll… never even shown on screen! Talk about an anticlimax!

But hey, at least we got to see Sandra Bullock blindfolded for two hours, right? I think if I’m blindfolded for long enough, eventually everything starts to look like a monster. So, next time you’re feeling a little paranoid, just close your eyes and pretend you’re in “Bird Box”. You’ll be fine.

Plot Summary

You know I love a good post-apocalyptic movie and this one did not disappoint. Ok maybe it did a little. Yes, I wanted to see how these creatures looked like but they didn’t give us that!

The movie follows Malorie, played by Sandra Bullock, who is pregnant when the world is hit by an unknown entity that causes people to see their worst fears and ultimately drives them to commit suicide in the most gruesome ways imaginable. It’s crazy, I tell you. Bad time to be preggo.

Malorie, along with a group of survivors, hole up in a house, but tensions rise and they realize that they can’t trust everyone. They don’t even know if they can trust each other. Gary, one of the survivors, turns out to be crazy and lets the creatures in, causing chaos and death among the group. It’s heartbreaking, but Malorie manages to escape with two children.

The catch is that they all have to wear blindfolds throughout their journey because if they see the creatures, they’ll be driven to madness and kill themselves. It’s insane to think about being completely blindfolded, but they have to do what they can to survive.

Malorie and her 2 kids embark on a dangerous journey down a river to find a safe haven, but they encounter many obstacles, and the rapids isn’t the only thing they have to deal with. It’s a nerve-wracking journey, and the fact that they have to be blindfolded the entire time makes it even scarier.

When they finally arrive at the safe haven, a school for the blind, they’re finally safe.

Throughout the movie, we get flashbacks of Malorie’s life before the chaos, which adds depth to her character and makes her more relatable. The suspense and tension throughout the whole movie are palpable, and I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen.

It’s got all the elements of a great thriller – suspense, action, and amazing performances by the cast. Sandra Bullock is a total badass in this movie, and she’ll have you rooting for her from start to finish. Give it a try on Netflix, you won’t regret it!

Bird Box: The Good

• • Strong performances: Sandra Bullock delivers a captivating and emotional performance as the lead character, Malorie, and the supporting cast is equally strong.

• • Unique plot: The concept of a mysterious force that causes people to commit suicide when they see it is a fresh and intriguing take on the post-apocalyptic genre.

• • Suspenseful and intense: The movie keeps you on the edge of your seat with its thrilling and suspenseful plot, and the blindfolds that the characters wear add an extra layer of tension to the story.

• • Emotional depth: The flashbacks to Malorie’s past and her relationships with her family add emotional depth to the story and make her character more relatable.

• • Cinematography: The film is visually stunning, with striking imagery and expert use of light and shadow to create a creepy and atmospheric setting.

• • Good pacing: The movie moves at a good pace, with enough action and character development to keep the audience engaged throughout.

• • Thought-provoking themes: The movie touches on themes of motherhood, survival, and the human condition, leaving the audience with plenty to think about after the credits roll.

All Deaths. Don’t Watch If You Haven’t Seen The Movie

Bird Box: The Bad

• • Lack of explanation: While the mysterious force that causes people to commit suicide is intriguing, the movie does not provide a clear explanation for what it is or where it came from, which may leave some viewers unsatisfied.

• • Thinly developed characters: While the performances are strong, some of the supporting characters are not fully fleshed out, leaving them feeling a bit one-dimensional.

• • Predictable at times: While there are certainly suspenseful moments, some viewers may find the plot to be a bit predictable in terms of certain character arcs and plot twists.

• • Unanswered questions: While the movie does provide some closure, there are still unanswered questions about certain characters and events that may leave some viewers feeling frustrated.

• • Gore and violence: The movie does contain some graphic violence and disturbing imagery, which may be too much for some viewers.

• • Slow start: The movie takes some time to set up the story and establish the characters, which may be a turn-off for viewers looking for more immediate action

Bird Box Visual Effects

Parents, Should Your Kids Watch Bird Box?

Reasons why it might be safe:

None. This movie is best watched by teens and adults.

Reasons why it might not be safe:

• • Mature themes: The movie deals with mature themes such as suicide, mental illness, and loss, which may be difficult for young children to understand and process.

• • Disturbing imagery: The movie contains disturbing and graphic imagery, including scenes of violence and death, which may be too intense for young children.

• • Fear and anxiety: The suspenseful and intense nature of the movie, along with the concept of a mysterious force that causes people to commit suicide, may cause fear and anxiety in young children.

• • Inappropriate language: The movie contains some strong language and adult humor, which may not be appropriate for young children.

• • Not age-appropriate: The movie is rated R, which means that it is not intended for children under the age of 17 without adult supervision.

Positive Reviews

• • The Hollywood Reporter: “A suspenseful and intense post-apocalyptic thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat.”

• • Collider: “A chilling and unsettling horror film that plays with your mind and leaves a lasting impression.”

• • Variety: “A strong and emotionally powerful performance from Sandra Bullock anchors this gripping and well-crafted thriller.”

• • IGN: “A visually stunning and masterfully directed film that delivers on both scares and heart.”

• • The Guardian: “An engrossing and thought-provoking movie that explores the human psyche and the lengths we will go to survive.”

Negative Reviews

• • The Wrap: “A derivative and predictable horror film that fails to offer anything new or interesting.”

• • Indie Wire: “A slow and tedious movie that squanders its intriguing premise with poorly developed characters and uninspired direction.”

• • Empire: “A messy and convoluted film that lacks focus and fails to deliver on its promises.”

• • AV Club: “A frustrating and disappointing movie that fails to live up to its potential.”

• • The New York Times: “A forgettable and formulaic horror film that relies too heavily on jump scares and cheap thrills.”

Rotten Tomatoes gave Bird Box a Tomatometer score of 63% based on 253 critic reviews, with an average rating of 6.2/10. The audience score on Rotten Tomatoes is 56%, indicating mixed reviews from viewers. While the movie received praise for its strong performances and suspenseful plot, it also received criticism for its lack of originality and failure to fully develop its characters. Overall, the score suggests that Bird Box received mixed reviews from both critics and audiences.

Bird Box Movie Trivia

1. 1. The movie was filmed in Northern California over a period of six months.

1. 1. The original script had a different ending, but it was changed during production to better align with the tone of the movie.

1. 1. Sandra Bullock trained with a blindfold on for the role of Malorie, wearing it for up to an hour at a time.

1. 1. John Malkovich’s character was originally supposed to be killed off early in the film, but the writers decided to keep him alive and flesh out his character more.

1. 1. The movie sparked a social media craze where people attempted to do everyday tasks while blindfolded, a phenomenon called the “Bird Box Challenge”.

1. 1. The production team built a replica of the house used in the movie in a warehouse for filming interior scenes.

1. 1. Sandra Bullock was not the first choice for the role of Malorie – other actresses considered for the part included Emma Stone and Charlize Theron.

1. 1. In one scene, the character Gary claims that he has seen the creatures and that they are beautiful, leading some fans to speculate that he may be telling the truth.

1. 1. The movie features a cameo by rapper Machine Gun Kelly, who plays a character named Felix who had a short sex scene in the movie.

1. 1. The scenes set in the grocery store were actually filmed in an abandoned shopping mall in Santa Clarita, California.

Bird Box Quotes

• “Do you hear that? The creatures.” – Malorie
• “We’re going on the trip now. It’s going to be rough.” – Tom
• “Don’t take off your blindfold. And don’t look.” – Malorie
• “The only way to survive is to stay calm.” – Douglas
• “When you look at it, what does it make you feel?” – Gary
• “You have to listen as hard as you can.” – Malorie
• “I’m not the type of person to give up.” – Malorie
• “We’re not leaving them behind.” – Malorie
• “I’m going to need you to do for me what I once did for you.” – Malorie
• “The end is near.” – Rick

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Final Thoughts on Bird Box

Bird Box is a tense and thrilling ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The film expertly weaves together horror, suspense, and drama, creating a unique and compelling cinematic experience. The outstanding performances from the cast, particularly Sandra Bullock, John Malkovich, and Trevante Rhodes, add an emotional depth to the story that keeps you invested in the characters and their fates.

While there are some flaws in the film’s execution, such as pacing issues and a lack of clarity surrounding the monster’s origins, the overall quality of the film is hard to ignore. Bird Box is a captivating and unforgettable movie that showcases the best of what the horror genre has to offer.

If you’re a fan of post-apocalyptic movies or love a good scare, then Bird Box is definitely worth checking out. Just be sure to keep your blindfold on and your wits about you, because once you start watching, you won’t be able to look away.