Director: Susanne Bier
Writer: Eric Heisserer (screenplay). Based on book by Josh Malerman
Released: December 2018
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Trevante Rhodes, John Malkovich, Vivien Lyra Blair, Julian Edwards, Danielle Macdonald, Lil Rel Howery, Jacki Weaver, Rosa Salazar, BD Wong, Tom Hollander, Sarah Paulson and Colson Baker
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Firstly, if you’ve seen A Quiet Place, then you’ve seen Bird Box. It’s quite comical how similar they both are.
Nevertheless, that is not an excuse not to watch Bird Box – especially if you enjoy an apocalyptic film.
It’s about a mysterious force that if seen, will cause people to kill themselves or harm others. This results in mass suicides, turning the world into a survival of the fittest. No one can go outside without being blindfolded for fear of seeing the nearly invisible killer.
The movie follows a pretty predictable storyline, but that doesn’t stop it from being shocking and unnerving. Especially when the force tempts people to take down their blindfolds by echoing the voice of a loved one.
I’m actually surprised that the storyline didn’t cause mass outrage or offence, considering it’s about suicides. I thought there would be fears of copycat behaviour. From the point of view of mental illness, I also thought offence would be taken by the fact that clinically insane people can see the killer but not kill themselves. Instead, they turn into murderers.
At the very least, I thought offence would be caused by the main character Mallorie (Sandra Bullock) naming the two children she’s looking after Boy and Girl (which are very gender-specific names in this gender diverse world).
However, I despair at what has got people talking: The Bird Box Challenges.
People are posting videos of themselves doing everyday activities – such as driving – blindfolded to see if they would survive in the apocalyptic world that was depicted. This reaction to the movie has resulted in warnings being posted by Netflix.
Can’t believe I have to say this, but: PLEASE DO NOT HURT YOURSELVES WITH THIS BIRD BOX CHALLENGE. We don’t know how this started, and we appreciate the love, but Boy and Girl have just one wish for 2019 and it is that you not end up in the hospital due to memes.
— Netflix US (@netflix) January 2, 2019
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Nevertheless, I thought the movie was well cast – I love Sandra Bullock anyway – but she did so well portraying a desperate mother. I think Reese Witherspoon would have done a good job too.
The storyline moved quickly with lots of twists and turns, which kept you on your feet.
So take your blindfold off – Bird Box is definitely worth watching!
Jodie’s rating: 7/10
NZ Film Freak 