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The Bird Box film was a surprise hit for Netflix when it was released in 2018, becoming one of the streaming platform’s most-watched movies of all time. The film starred Sandra Bullock as the main character. It followed a group of survivors who had to navigate a post-apocalyptic world where a mysterious force drove people to suicide if they looked at it. Five years after the movie premiered, Netflix has released a spin-off sequel, Bird Box Barcelona. The movie was released on July 14, 2023, and takes place in the same universe as the original film. Given the new location and lack of star power, there is a debate about whether Bird Box fans should watch the sequel. The answer is yes, and we will explore some key factors that make Bird Box Barcelona worth watching.
What Is Bird Box Barcelona All About?
Before delving into the details, let’s look at Bird Box Barcelona‘s synopsis. The film features the same tense atmosphere and suspenseful storytelling that left many at the edge of their seats while watching the original movie. It is set in Barcelona, Spain, and stars Mario Casas as Sebastián, the protagonist. The movie’s plot follows Sebastián, a former engineer who is trying to survive in the post-apocalyptic world with his young daughter, Anna. They are joined by a group of other survivors, including a doctor trying to find a cure for the mysterious force.
The group eventually travels to a former army camp that has been converted into a safe haven for survivors. However, they soon discover that the mysterious forces are not their only threat. In the camp, some survivors are willing to kill just to survive. Overall, Bird Box Barcelona is a suspenseful and terrifying film that will leave Bird Box fans questioning what it means to be human.
Why ‘Bird Box’ Fans Should Watch the Sequel — New Setting, New Challenges
One of the things that makes Bird Box Barcelona stand out is its setting. Although it bears a similar plot to the original movie, the film takes place in Barcelona, Spain, providing a fresh backdrop for the story. Also, Bird Box fans will get a more detailed look at the beauty of the titular city. For example, Barcelona’s iconic landmarks like the Sagrada Familia and the Ramblas feature prominently in the film, giving it a unique visual identity. What’s more, the setting provides new challenges for the characters.
For instance, given that Barcelona is a much larger area than the town and forests in the original movie, it makes navigating the city more difficult. As a result, this increases the movie’s suspense and tension. The viewers are never sure what will happen next, and the characters are constantly in danger. In addition, the characters must contend with companions who speak different languages that they aren’t familiar with.
A New Perspective
Bird Box Barcelona offers a new perspective on the original film’s events, as the movie is told from Sebastián’s point of view. This will allow Bird Box fans to see events from a different angle, providing new insights into the characters and the story. For example, Sebastián is religious and believes the unseen mysterious forces are divine creatures. This belief gives him a different motivation than the characters in the original film, who were simply trying to survive.
New Theories Revealed
Bird Box fans will recall that the original film had characters like Gary who weren’t driven to commit suicide after encountering the unseen forces. Instead, they attacked other people, forcing them to look at the forces. In Bird Box Barcelona, fans finally understand the reasoning behind such actions. In the mind of Sebastián, who is among such characters, the forces are angelic creatures. To him, exposing people to them means he’s saving their souls. In fact, he initially witnesses some divine encounters after their deaths.
In conclusion, Bird Box Barcelona is a solid film that is worth watching for original Bird Box fans. Even though Bullock isn’t present, there isn’t a drop in quality as Casas fills his role perfectly. Although the movie isn’t perfect, it is still a very enjoyable and suspenseful watch.
