Debuting on Netflix just before Christmas, Bird Box has become something of a sensation. The Sandra Bullock-starring sci-fi horror picture struck a cultural nerve, drawing a staggering 45 million views in its first week. Like a lot of things these days, Bird Box was also somewhat divisive. Some people seemed to hate it, but with numbers like those, there has to be something going on, not just water cooler curiosity.
It took me a while to get around to seeing Bird Box, but now I totally get it. So if there have to be factions, count me on the side of the fans, because I absolutely loved what director Susanne Bier (The Night Manager) achieved here. The film's premise has more than a passing familiarity with last year's breakout hit A Quiet Place, where that film's threat was death if you made sound, Bird Box is about a force so disturbing that if you see it, you immediately kill yourself.
With a screenplay by Eric Heisserer (Arrival), adapted from Josh Malerman's novel, Bird Box is about one of modern society's great dreads - abrupt descent into apocalypse. I'll avoid plot details, as part of the effectiveness of this kind of thriller comes from going in fairly cold. Bier does a simply tremendous job of abruptly immersing you in the story and deftly moving back and forth between two timelines as they gradually come together, with much of the story focusing on the immediate aftermath of a sudden global catastrophe, caught up with a cross section of other survivors, trying to figure out what's happened, and what the rules of survival are. The film's tone evokes Dawn of the Dead, with strangers barricaded in a fortress, intent on keeping the external threat at bay. As with The Walking Dead, often it's other survivors that can pose the most immediate peril.
The cast is excellent. Bullock is outstanding here, she's got a phenomenal ability to land a good script, and spends half the film acting with a blindfold on, which she somehow turns into an acting asset, not a hindrance. Sarah Paulson, B.D. Wong, John Malkovich and the excellent Trevante Rhodes (one of the few bright spots in The Predator) all make an engaging, desperate pulp ensemble. The scenes of Bullock witnessing the crisis unfold around her are jarring and disturbing, evoking a similar sense of encroaching doom as World War Z. Bier's craft and technique are smashing, abetted by cinematographer Salvatore Totino and editor Ben Lester. These three know the rhythms of suspense, and I was on the edge of my seat pretty much the entire time. Dread is never far, and while you may have an inkling that a particular thing must have happened from one vantage point, they turn the screws masterfully at making you crave to know how that thing happened. Kudos also to Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for a terrifically unnerving score.
It's fascinating that this film and A Quiet Place came out in the same 12 months, as they share a lot of thematic kinship. But do not make the mistake of dismissing Bird Box as "A Quiet Place ripoff with sight." Both films stand strongly and uniquely on their own, and if you're a fan of a good thriller with strong horror overtones, I can't imagine you not loving what Susanne Bier has pulled off here. This movie knows how to work the audience, as evidenced by those streaming numbers. The film connects with viewers and delivers.
Bird Box is going to be a milestone, make no mistake. If the film had been released theatrically, they'd have raked in well over $100 million by now. Theatrical releases aren't in jeopardy yet, but when the picture that's causing the most excitement nationally is a home-streaming exclusive, Hollywood is going to sit up and take notice. Netflix is undoubtedly going to feel the pressure to concoct hits that make similar waves each year, and will be looking for ways to repeat this release model.
So if you've been on the fence, close the blinds and hold on tight. Bird Box is a legit hit.
It took me a while to get around to seeing Bird Box, but now I totally get it. So if there have to be factions, count me on the side of the fans, because I absolutely loved what director Susanne Bier (The Night Manager) achieved here. The film's premise has more than a passing familiarity with last year's breakout hit A Quiet Place, where that film's threat was death if you made sound, Bird Box is about a force so disturbing that if you see it, you immediately kill yourself.
With a screenplay by Eric Heisserer (Arrival), adapted from Josh Malerman's novel, Bird Box is about one of modern society's great dreads - abrupt descent into apocalypse. I'll avoid plot details, as part of the effectiveness of this kind of thriller comes from going in fairly cold. Bier does a simply tremendous job of abruptly immersing you in the story and deftly moving back and forth between two timelines as they gradually come together, with much of the story focusing on the immediate aftermath of a sudden global catastrophe, caught up with a cross section of other survivors, trying to figure out what's happened, and what the rules of survival are. The film's tone evokes Dawn of the Dead, with strangers barricaded in a fortress, intent on keeping the external threat at bay. As with The Walking Dead, often it's other survivors that can pose the most immediate peril.
The cast is excellent. Bullock is outstanding here, she's got a phenomenal ability to land a good script, and spends half the film acting with a blindfold on, which she somehow turns into an acting asset, not a hindrance. Sarah Paulson, B.D. Wong, John Malkovich and the excellent Trevante Rhodes (one of the few bright spots in The Predator) all make an engaging, desperate pulp ensemble. The scenes of Bullock witnessing the crisis unfold around her are jarring and disturbing, evoking a similar sense of encroaching doom as World War Z. Bier's craft and technique are smashing, abetted by cinematographer Salvatore Totino and editor Ben Lester. These three know the rhythms of suspense, and I was on the edge of my seat pretty much the entire time. Dread is never far, and while you may have an inkling that a particular thing must have happened from one vantage point, they turn the screws masterfully at making you crave to know how that thing happened. Kudos also to Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for a terrifically unnerving score.
It's fascinating that this film and A Quiet Place came out in the same 12 months, as they share a lot of thematic kinship. But do not make the mistake of dismissing Bird Box as "A Quiet Place ripoff with sight." Both films stand strongly and uniquely on their own, and if you're a fan of a good thriller with strong horror overtones, I can't imagine you not loving what Susanne Bier has pulled off here. This movie knows how to work the audience, as evidenced by those streaming numbers. The film connects with viewers and delivers.
Bird Box is going to be a milestone, make no mistake. If the film had been released theatrically, they'd have raked in well over $100 million by now. Theatrical releases aren't in jeopardy yet, but when the picture that's causing the most excitement nationally is a home-streaming exclusive, Hollywood is going to sit up and take notice. Netflix is undoubtedly going to feel the pressure to concoct hits that make similar waves each year, and will be looking for ways to repeat this release model.
So if you've been on the fence, close the blinds and hold on tight. Bird Box is a legit hit.
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