From Blindness to Sight

For many, sight is a highly underappreciated commodity that the vast majority of us are born with. Now imagine WILLINGLY taking away this sense via blindfold and throwing in a monster that messes with your head into the mix. This is more or less the premise of the movie Bird Box, the new post-apocalyptic thriller directed by Susanne Bier. While filled with suspense and tension, it sometimes feels as if the writers were BLIND to key aspects of how the real world functions. For example, why was the electricity on for the entire duration of the film after five whole years of widespread chaos and fallout. Also the fact that the gang learns of Gary's insanity after he fails to hide his drawings of the monster and instead meticulously lays them out on a coffee table for all to see. I don't know about you, but I'd rather not have my biggest secret on display in the center of the room. Regardless of missteps in realism and authenticity, however, this film teaches us less about surviving, and more about living. It is a moving and intense film that captures the essence of truly connecting to humankind, seen through the lens of a woman learning what it means to be a mother.

When it comes to suspense and thrilling terror, Bird Box is in no way lacking. The mere fact that the characters cannot see the monster causes intense feelings of claustrophobia and anxiety. In fact, we never actually see this monster. The reason being the monster is meant to be less of a physical threat but a psychological symbol. The way it operates by tempting the humans into looking at it using their past traumas works all too well with the fact that the monster is unable to be seen. This forces the audience to assume that the monster is, in fact, the worst nightmare for the person it is targeting. That could be anything from a dead relative to a shark for all we know. The important thing is that the mystery only adds to the sense of anxiety produced by the unknown assailant. Another interesting element of the film is the powerful use of present and past through flashback memories, offering a glimpse into the mind of Malorie (Sandra Bullock) and her evolution from aloof to connected. She reminds us that the world today is an unpredictable one, where children are no longer safe, and the true measure of parenthood is fierce and loyal protection. As she travels the perilous journey down a river blindfolded with her two young children to a safe zone, we feel the anxiety and tension of her situation. When Malorie drapes a large dark blanket over their heads for a fleeting, tense, claustrophobic moment of privacy with her children, I could sense the contrast between the vulnerability of their wide open surroundings with the closed-off blanket discussions and this added to the intensity of each hidden word and meaning. There were no sentiments of love, affection, or reassurance. Malorie tells them “Listen to me, we’re going on a trip now, it’s going to be rough. If you hear something in the woods, you tell me. If you hear something in the water, you tell me. But under no circumstances are you allowed to take off your blindfold.” It is not until the end of the film that we see her metaphorically remove her own blindfold and claim her children as her own.“Your name is Olympia, and you are Tom. And you are my son.” It is a profound moment of her acceptance and self- realization. It left me feeling hopeful for her and her children’s future, which was surprising in a post-apocalyptic film.

In conclusion, I give Bird Box a BAD GOOD rating due to its ability to keep me on the edge of my seat, its emotional narrative that left me rooting for an unlikely hero, and an overall sense of hope. Unfortunately, when it comes to realism, it falls painfully short at times, from all too perfect placement of vital information to a seemingly infinite source of electricity across the entire world. If you can become BLIND to these small sloppy details, then Bird Box is a movie I recommend you don't miss.