“Exploring the Murky Depth of Bird Box: A Barcelona Review”

Bird Box: Barcelona Review

An Unnecessary yet not Unwatchable Spin-off

Netflix’s horror film, “Bird Box,” created a significant buzz back in December 2018. It became the platform’s first genuine blockbuster, generating record views and sparking a pop culture phenomenon with its numerous memes and the infamous Bird Box Challenge. However, the film quickly faded into obscurity, leaving behind a barely visible cultural impact and an uninterested leading lady. Now, almost five years later, Netflix hopes that audiences can still remember the universe it created despite the lukewarm reception from critics.

Derivative and Lacking Distinctive Personality

“Bird Box” was essentially a sorry and sloppy imitation of the successful film “A Quiet Place,” with a less effective sense-based danger. It failed to establish itself as a horror, fantasy, family drama, or survival thriller, instead copying the work of others without adding any distinctive personality of its own. Unfortunately, the mid-summer spin-off, “Bird Box: Barcelona,” shares a similar fate. It aspires to expand the world of the original film and appeal to Netflix’s Spanish-speaking audience, but it falls short in terms of thrills. Despite its shortcomings, it manages to be somewhat watchable schlock, thanks to a surprisingly clever approach to the story.

A Change of Setting and Characters

In “Bird Box: Barcelona,” the action has moved from California to Barcelona, replacing Sandra Bullock’s character with Mario Casas, known for his role in “The Invisible Guest.” The film introduces us to Sebastian, a beleaguered father trying to survive after the arrival of the creatures that induce suicide in those who look at them. The story takes an intriguing twist in the first act, turning Sebastian’s mission from mere survival into something more troubling. While the execution is not always successful and the explanations can be clumsy, it shows the writer-director duo, Alex and David Pastor, attempting to bring something different to the spin-off.

A Unique Perspective and Dark Themes

“Bird Box: Barcelona” puts more focus on a perspective that was less explored in the original film, delving into how some people perceive the visitors as a blessing rather than a curse. It also touches on the danger of religious fervor in a bleak yet believable manner. However, its attempts to address the horror genre’s current buzzword, trauma, are less clear-eyed. The film throws around words like grief and loss without providing much insight into their significance. Despite this, the spin-off manages to be nastier and more entertaining than its predecessor, with some notably efficient setpieces, such as a harrowing mass subway suicide scene.

Missing the Anchoring Presence

While “Bird Box: Barcelona” may offer more entertainment value, it lacks the anchor of Sandra Bullock and her dependable supporting cast from the original film. Bullock’s random yet reliable co-stars, including Trevante Rhodes and Jacki Weaver, provided a sense of stability and charisma that is absent in this spin-off. This absence leaves the film feeling somewhat inconsequential.

Flawed Visuals and Over-Explanation

Many of the problems that plagued the first film persist in “Bird Box: Barcelona.” The visuals chosen to represent the presence of the creatures are cheap and ineffective, worsened by angelic effects that seem more suited for a low-budget faith-based drama. The film also falls into the sequel curse of over-explaining things that are best left unexplained, such as a character’s monologue about the quantum mechanics behind the monsters.

A Competent yet Flawed Return to the “Bird Box” Universe

As a return to a world that most viewers had happily forgotten about, “Bird Box: Barcelona” exceeds expectations by transforming a simple retread into something competently made and narratively unexpected, albeit mildly. Given the potential to explore more cities and appeal to different markets, it is likely that Netflix will continue to produce spin-offs. However, it would be wise for the streaming giant to close this chapter sooner rather than later.

Conclusion

“Bird Box: Barcelona” may not be essential viewing, but it is a watchable spin-off that manages to bring a nifty twist to the story. Despite its flaws and the absence of key original cast members, it offers entertainment value for fans of the original film and those looking for a mildly thrilling experience. However, for Netflix, it would be wise to consider bringing this chapter to a close and focus on new and original content that can capture audiences’ attention in a more meaningful way.