Bird Box: Barcelona (2023) Movie Review

 

Bird Box: Barcelona | 2023 | 1h 52m
Genre: Monster Horror/Psychological Horror/Psychological Thriller/Suspense Mystery/Horror/Mystery/Sci-Fi/Thriller | Country: US-Spain
Director: David Pastor, Àlex Pastor | Writers: Àlex Pastor, David Pastor
Cast: Mario Casas, Georgina Campbell, Diego Calva
IMDB: 5.3
My Rate: 7/10

Sebastian and Anna embark on a journey they believe can free trapped souls by finding people still hiding from a mysterious entity that causes those who see it to end their lives. Sebastian tries every way to make people see the entity, until an encounter with Sophia causes his faith to collapse.

Warning:

Contains violent scenes, harsh language, suicide, and sensual content.

 

Synopsis:

Sebastian and Anna struggle to survive in a chaotic world after the appearance of a mysterious entity that causes those who see it to end their lives. They try to join a group of survivors. The entity reappears and causes Sebastian to join the survivors living in a bus shelter.

Sebastian meets a group member who has lost their eyes. This person tells how they encountered seers who forced them to see the entity. The person chose to gouge out their eyes rather than see the entity. Sebastian also meets a doctor who helps stitch a wound on his temple.

While everyone sleeps on the bus, Sebastian goes to the key storage room, trying to find the bus keys. The doctor, awakened by Sebastian’s strange behavior, tries to stop him. However, Sebastian finds the keys first, starts the bus, and drives it out of the shelter. They see the entity and end their lives.

Sebastian is revealed to be a seer who believes his actions free lost souls. He sees light leaving the people he indirectly kills. He and Anna continue searching for more victims.

Sebastian meets a new group led by Rafa, living in a bunker with Rafa, Octavio, the married couple Roberto and Isabel, Claire, and Sophia. Sebastian joins after lying about knowing the generator’s location.

Sebastian’s actions become more difficult as he must lead them out together. Sophia mentions a safe place she heard about on the radio: Montjuïc Castle, where she was separated from her mother while trying to reach it.

Sebastian takes this chance, manipulating everyone to go to Montjuïc Castle. He manipulates the dog leashes of Rafa and Octavio, causing them to lose control when the entity appears, resulting in Rafa’s death. However, his interaction with Sophia makes Sebastian doubt Anna’s existence, especially when he no longer sees light in Octavio’s death. Their journey becomes harder when other seers appear, trying to eliminate them.

Will Sebastian change and help his group reach Montjuïc Castle?

 
Review:

Bird Box: Barcelona is a spin-off sequel to Bird Box (2018). The story idea remains the same, featuring an entity that causes those who see it to end their lives. However, the perspective is different, focusing on the Unblindfolded, called 'seers' in this film—people who survive despite seeing the entity.

The story uses mostly a linear timeline with some flashbacks, unlike the first film where flashbacks were more prominent. The narrative is easy to follow with smooth transitions.

Background development of the story and characters is quite good, though not all characters’ backgrounds are explained. The main character’s story is well detailed.

The conflict is presented well, with several tense scenes. The battles involve not only the entity but also conflicts among the seers. Internal conflict within the main character plays a significant role.

#spoiler The story’s resolution would be satisfying if it ended when they reach the safe shelter like in the first film. However, the added scene of the military trying to find a cure by taking DNA samples from the seers feels less believable, as they seem unaware of what they are doing.

Acting is decent but some performances feel stiff and less natural. The chemistry between actors is somewhat lacking, and some dialogues feel awkward.

Camera work and cinematography are well done. Viewers get a visual perspective from the monster’s point of view. Some monster appearances look more realistic.

Compared to the first film, this sequel has more intense interactions with the entity. However, the original sequel still feels better. The way victims die in the first film is more emotional, while here, the suicides seem random and less meaningful.

Overall, this film is still enjoyable. It can be watched independently from the first film due to its different story. However, for full understanding, it’s better to watch Bird Box (2018) first.

 

Memorable scene:

Sebastian tries to remove the blindfold from Sophia’s eyes. Yet, he is haunted by doubt. The presence of ‘Anna,’ which Sebastian realizes is just manipulation by the entity, makes him uncertain. Especially as he begins to feel an emotional connection with Sophia.

This scene shows how past trauma can deeply affect our thoughts and behavior. For example, Sebastian’s inability to let go of his child’s death keeps him tied to the shadow of his child.

 

Memorable dialogue:

"What if I'm not the shepherd, Anna?"

 

Ending:

Cliffhanger

 

Recommendation:

Worth to Watch

 

(Aluna)