Bird Box Barcelona’s Cowardice Hinders its Narrative Potential

Movie Review: Bird Box Barcelona Doesn’t Have the Guts to Tell This Story

An Exercise in Sadism, but Not the Good Kind

In his scathing review, film critic Bilge Ebiri takes aim at the much-anticipated apocalyptic sequel, Bird Box Barcelona, a film that falls short of its potential, leaving viewers wanting more.

The movie starts with the familiar premise of the first Bird Box – a world taken over by a force that drives humans to their deaths if they look at the outdoors. However, instead of following desperate survivors hiding from the unseen evil, Bird Box Barcelona takes an unexpected twist by focusing on the wild-eyed individuals who roam the streets, attempting to force others to open their eyes and embrace death.

A Tantalizingly Evil Idea, Unfulfilled

The writer-directors Àlex and David Pastor introduce a tantalizingly evil idea, but according to Ebiri, they fail to see it through. The film quickly devolves into a series of flashbacks that reveal the protagonist, Sebastián’s, descent into madness. With his deceased wife and child haunting him, Sebastián embarks on a cruel journey to spread his twisted mission. Ebiri argues that the exploration of grief and its ability to drive people mad had potential, but the film fails to dive deep enough into this theme, resorting to exploiting grief for narrative convenience.

Missed Opportunities and Lack of Originality

Bird Box Barcelona fails to deliver on both dramatic and visceral levels. Sebastián’s murderous efforts lack inventiveness, and the slow revelations about his past are both predictable and depressing. The film lacks creativity and seems to rely on the initial ideas without building upon them in a compelling way.

According to Ebiri, the writer-directors lack the necessary guts to fully explore the twisted psychology of their protagonist. By attempting to redeem Sebastián and not fully entertain the audience with his killings, they miss an opportunity to create a more thrilling and emotionally complex narrative.

The Importance of Genre Thrills

Ebiri references Alfred Hitchcock’s approach to genre thrills, highlighting the power of putting the audience on the side of a monster. By blurring the line between good and evil, filmmakers can create a more unnerving and exciting experience. However, in Bird Box Barcelona, the Pastors’ unwillingness to fully embrace Sebastián’s dark side prevents the film from reaching its full potential.

Editorial: The Cowardice of Bird Box Barcelona

The film Bird Box Barcelona starts with a promising premise and an evil twist that could have separated it from the clichés of modern horror cinema. However, it quickly falls into a pattern of missed opportunities and a failure to fully explore its themes. The filmmakers, Àlex and David Pastor, are unable to commit to the darkness required to tell this story in its full glory, resulting in a disappointing and unfulfilling film.

One of the film’s major shortcomings is its treatment of grief. While the post-apocalyptic setting of Bird Box Barcelona offers ample opportunity to explore the depths of human suffering and the consequences of loss, it instead uses grief as a tool to advance the plot, without delving into its emotional impact. The film reduces profound personal tragedy to a mere narrative convenience, which comes across as exploitative and shallow.

Furthermore, Bird Box Barcelona fails to bring anything fresh or original to the table. Aside from its initial twist, the film falls into predictable patterns, lacking the inventiveness necessary to captivate the audience. The slow drip of revelations about Sebastián’s past only serve to drain the film of its potential, leaving viewers feeling unsatisfied.

While some may argue that the Pastors’ reluctance to fully embrace the darkness is a commendable choice, it ultimately weakens the film’s impact. By withholding the audience from fully engaging with the dark side of the protagonist, the filmmakers miss an opportunity to create a more complex and thought-provoking narrative. The result is a film that feels disjointed and uncertain of its own intentions.

Advice: Embrace the Dark Side

For filmmakers looking to push the boundaries of genre cinema, it is important to have the courage to fully explore the depths of human darkness. A film like Bird Box Barcelona could have offered a unique and unsettling experience by allowing the audience to see the world through the eyes of a villain. By shying away from this opportunity, the filmmakers miss a chance to challenge societal norms and create a more compelling narrative.

It is also crucial to treat complex themes, such as grief, with the respect they deserve. Rather than using them as mere plot devices, filmmakers should dive deep into the emotional impact of loss and explore the ways in which it shapes their characters. This level of depth and sincerity is what separates great films from forgettable ones.

In conclusion, Bird Box Barcelona falls short of its potential and lacks the courage to fully embrace its dark side. While the initial premise may intrigue viewers, the film ultimately disappoints with its missed opportunities and failure to explore its themes in a meaningful way.