Bird Box (2018): Review

The Netflix hit which is still garnering views all around the world is being touted as thrilling, chilling and entertaining by most of the viewers and certainly one of the year’s best.

Well, I would like to vehemently disagree with all of them as Bird Box is not a film which deserves any sort of praise in any category.

The movie is about a mother/guardian of two little children (named boy and girl), who tries to escape with them from their current hideout to a safe haven managed by a Rick. The world is overrun by some strange presence in the air which prompts anyone who looks at it to instantly commit suicide. People who were deranged earlier are the only ones immune to it and now are driven to force other to look at the unknown presence too. They form the major antagonists of the film. Why they do it? How are they immune? It’s never explained. Not because it might be a good mystery but because they wanted to the plot more happening and had no idea other than this.

Although doesn’t the plot sound familiar? Lone survivor. Maybe one two weaklings with her. Apocalypse by an unknown presence. Some vile humans out for blood. One difficult quest to reach a safe haven. Yes, you’ve heard it before. Many, many times. Stephen King might’ve written atleast 5 books about it. There must be atleast 10 movies about this same subject if not more. For perspective, look up The Happening (2008). And I mean, you can’t even count. You’ve seen the same things in great movies like I am Legend and Children of Men which made this theme work but no, not Bird Box.

The music is just cheap noises and once in a while howling here and there along with desperate attempts to induce fear and suspense which is just not there.

The direction is practically absent. No effort of any sort is visible and it’s just like they believed too much in the plot and the actor’s ability to pull it off that they didn’t even try.

I cannot emphasise enough how much the movie relies on cheap thrills and clichéd gimmicks to amuse the audience but it fails. There isn’t one scene which could be called memorable. Not one. The movie does parallel between the past events and the present which explains how they reached where they are but it’s utterly useless and does not provide any satisfaction or thrills at all.

The Verdict?- The movie may be a onetime watch for some and a colossal waste of time for others. The one star I am giving is probably for the good performance by Sandra Bullock. Rest of all, were just props. And even useless props at that. The movie is a bad imitation of others before him and certainly does not deserve the kind of social acceptance it’s getting. Maybe luck just favour some films like this. Otherwise just talk to some old friend instead. Don’t waste your time and brain on the mindless Bird Box.