Bird Box : Barcelona

Genres : Thriller, Suspense 

Writer : Surya Turaga 

Date : 22nd July, 2023 

Bird Box : Barcelona had so much potential to be a unique and creative spinoff. The idea behind the film was really creative, and could have led to a sequel that carried the Bird Box theme forward really well. Sadly, the whole thing felt like a theatrical experience of a plot that falls flat. 

‘Bird Box’ is a 2018 film starring Sandra Bullock, and is about some monsters who invaded the planet. Looking at them makes you die. So it was a post apocalyptic world with people going outside blindfolded and stuff. The idea behind having monsters that viewers never saw was unique. But the film came off as a little disappointing as it never let the scenes bask in the emotions. Not gonna get into that. 

The point is, part 1 felt like it made a unique movie, and then decided to edit the whole thing to look like ‘A Quiet Place’, which was released 8 months prior to ‘Bird Box’. ‘Bird Box : Barcelona’ is a spinoff of part 1, using a new set of characters and a new disconnected story. 

The first plot ‘reveal’ genuinely made me think this would be a great movie. The film used a very different and unique protagonist, nothing like what I expected from this genre. It could have very well been a brilliant spinoff, showing us more of the Bird Box world. The only problem is, that was the only noteworthy part of the film. 

After I found out what it was that made the protagonist of this film so unique, pretty much everything in the film became obvious. At no point after the first 10 minutes did I feel surprised about what was happening. Everything down to the motivations of the characters, the development, and the plot progression was predictable to the minute. 

I have lots of issues with such things. If you’re gonna make a plot like this, you cannot give away the key selling point in the first 10 minutes. If you do, you better have more tricks up your sleeve. For a suspense film, I saw no mystery happening. Plots need to keep viewers hooked, and not give away the final direction of the story, ESPECIALLY in suspense films. 

The film gave away the final objective and made bland character arcs, basically telling the viewers what was going to happen in the end. The film was meant to show the protagonist having a mysterious backstory, heartbreaking origins, and a powerful redemption moment of sorts. It certainly had potential for this. 

The reason this failed was that the acting was simply not up to the mark. I did not see any emotions that convinced me of the protagonist’s motivations. And I certainly did not see him slowly become conflicted. It’s as if he just went with the plot. Simply put, the acting was not convincing at all. 

Overall, the film no longer has the originality from part 1, and feels like a B grade scene blend of ‘A Quiet Place’. There was potential in there somewhere, but amidst the bad acting, ruined suspense, and the dull plot, I lost sight of it. It’s yet another timepass film, and I expected nothing better from Netflix. 

Surya-o-meter : 54%