Directed Academy Award winner Susanna Bier, “Bird Box” is the latest post-apocalyptic film on Netflix that has sparked a lot of criticism and praise by viewers all over the world.
Not only does the film put actress Sandra Bullock in the spotlight once again for a newer generation of viewers, but it also seems to shed light onto very serious mental illnesses plaguing many of us in the world today.
A thrilling and intense experience, the film’s premise has more to it than what immediately meets the eye — pun intended.
Alex Saucedo | Argonaut
“Bird Box” begins with several newscasts centered on mass suicides that are taking place all over the world for no apparent reason, and within hours the phenomena reaches the United States.
The “monsters” in the film are the root cause of the suicide issue, causing people to hurt themselves if they look at directly at them. However, no one really knows exactly what these unseen creatures look like, making the idea of survival a seemingly impossible task.
The main protagonist of the film, Malorie (Bullock), puts on a blindfold and fights for the her survival and that of her two children, using every sense but sight.
Her character development is key, exploring her failed relationship and negligent father, which made her strong enough to take on the apocalypse before her.
The film’s balance between strength and “softness” makes for a gripping couple of hours, prompting the viewer to dissect the very real meanings hidden behind the blindfold — pun intended once again .
I think it’s clear that “Bird Box” serves as a wake-up call for people in regard to mental illnesses, as well as the surge in suicides throughout the past decade.
When it comes to mental illness, some critics argue the film makes the claim that it’s possible to turn a blind eye to the negative aspects of life until they things go away. Others say it simply paints a very real picture for those wondering what it might be like to live with these monsters every day.
Most of the film takes place on a small boat floating up-stream on a river, with Malorie and her children hoping to reach a sanctuary they had made contact via satellite radio.
Although a “not-so-happy ending” seemed like a very probable scenario, they do reach their destination, and what awaits them, made me question everything I had just watched all over again.
The sanctuary turns out to be a school for the blind, meaning their saviors couldn’t be hurt by the monster plaguing everyone else. It left some of viewer, including myself, with countless questions in regard to what we’re supposed to do with the messages portrayed in the film.
“Bird Box” could be trying to show more sensitivity toward people with disabilities, as well as painting a vivid picture of what it’s like to battle serious mental health issues.
Overall, the very obvious, deeper connotations make this film much more than just another horror film.
In fact, the one thing I would say it lacked was the standard “horror” aspect. It was much more of a thriller, and in some aspects, a drama.
Even without so many jump scares, this film is a sensitively crafted work of art, which sheds light on a very serious topic, while still offering a tense and thrilling experience.
Alex Saucedo can be reached at [email protected]