Bird Box Barcelona is a 2023 post-apocalyptic horror thriller film directed and written by Álex and David Pastor. A spin-off sequel to the 2018 film Bird Box, adapted from Josh Malerman's 2014 novel of the same name, the film stars Mario Casas, Naila Schuberth, Georgina Campbell and Diego Calva, and follows Sebastián and his daughter begin their own great adventure of survival in Barcelona after an entity of mysterious origin annihilates the world's population causing those who observe it to take their lives.
| Bird Box Barcelona | |
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 Promotional release poster | |
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| Written by |
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| Based on | Bird Box by Josh Malerman |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Daniel Aranyó |
| Edited by | Martí Roca |
| Music by | Zeltia Montes |
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| Distributed by | Netflix |
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Running time | 112 minutes[1] |
| Countries | United States Spain |
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Bird Box Barcelona was released on Netflix on July 14, 2023 to mixed reviews.
Plot
editThe world is plagued by mysterious entities that manipulate people's negative emotions, turning some into "seers" but leading most people to commit suicide once they have seen an entity. A common prevention method is wearing a blindfold outdoors. In Barcelona, Spain, Sebastián and his daughter Anna travel together. One day Sebastián encounters a group of survivors, and claims he knows the location of generators that can provide light and heating. Sebastián joins the others in their shelter inside a bus hangar. The next morning, with everyone asleep inside a bus, Sebastián drives it outside and crashes it. Everyone is left without blindfolds; Sebastián slowly leads each to open their eyes, and upon witnessing the entities they commit suicide. Sebastián is revealed to be a seer, and is thus unaffected. Anna congratulates Sebastián on having "saved" the people, urging him to find the other "lost sheep".
Nine months earlier, the arrival of the entities prompted people to flee. Sebastián retrieved Anna but lost his wife in a car accident. They found refuge in a church and met Padre Esteban, a pastor who opined that the entities are angels, and that humanity should be liberated from suffering by embracing death. Sebastián and Anna tried to hide but one day a group of seers led by Padre discovered their hiding place and captured them. He forced Anna to open her eyes, killing her. Sebastián then faced the entities, but instead of death he saw the apparition of Anna, which has accompanied him ever since. Anna tells him that he can join his family there when he has "saved" enough people on Earth.
Sebastián encounters another group led by Rafa, who has two dogs. Others in the group include Octavio, a Mexican deliveryman with expertise in physics; Roberto and Isabel, a couple; Claire, an English psychiatrist; and Sofia, a young German girl separated from her mother. Octavio theorizes that the entities are quantum beings that perceive humans' fear and grief. Sofia shares information about Montjuïc Castle, believed to be a safe refuge which can be reached by a gondola lift. The group embarks on a quest to reach the Castle.
Rafa dies early on after Sebastián sabotages the dog leashes, and the remainder of the group take shelter. Sebastián leads Octavio to his death, but begins to doubt the wisdom of Anna's apparition. Roberto and Isabel lose their lives too. Claire suspects Sebastián is a seer and shields Sofia from him. Sebastián, who had started to resist Anna's influence, vows that he will protect Claire and Sofia. Meanwhile, Padre and his followers find the trio. Sebastián helps Claire and Sofia get to the gondola lift, then fights Padre and they kill each other; Sebastián dies smiling. Claire and Sofia enter Montjuïc, converted to a secret camp, where Sofia reunites with her mother. Claire undergoes blood tests by scientists who are trying to develop an antibody that can provide immunity against the entities' influence.
Cast
edit- Mario Casas as Sebastián[2]
- Alejandra Howard as Anna[2]
- Georgina Campbell as Claire[2]
- Naila Schuberth as Sofia[2]
- Diego Calva as Octavio[2]
- Leonardo Sbaraglia as Padre Esteban[2]
- Lola Dueñas as Isabel[3]
- Patrick Criado as Rafa[3]
- Gonzalo de Castro as Roberto[3]
- Michelle Jenner as Liliana
- Celia Freijeiro as Laura
Production
editDevelopment
editA Spanish spin-off of Bird Box was reported in March 2021 with Nostromo Pictures producing the project.[4] The film is written and directed by Álex Pastor and David Pastor, with Dylan Clark, Núria Valls, Adrián Guerra, Chris Morgan, Ryan Lewis, and Josh Malerman as producers and Brian Williams and Ainsley Davies executive producing.[5]
Casting
editIn October 2021 Mario Casas, Georgina Campbell, Diego Calva, Alejandra Howard, Naila Schuberth, Patrick Criado, Celia Freijeiro with Lola Dueñas, Gonzalo de Castro, Michelle Jenner and Leonardo Sbaraglia were revealed to be cast in the film.[6]
Filming
editIn January 2022, principal photography was reported to have commenced in Spain.[7]
Release
editThe film was available to view on Netflix from July 14, 2023.[8]
Reception
editBird Box Barcelona received mixed reviews from critics. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 53% of 78 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.7/10. The website's consensus reads: "Expanding the franchise with some effective twists, Bird Box Barcelona lacks some of its predecessor's creepy tension but remains occasionally involving in its own right."[9] Metacritic reports a 47 out of 100 score, based on 22 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Bird Box Barcelona (15)". British Board of Film Classification. July 13, 2023. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f "Bird Box Barcelona: Take a Peek at Who's in the Apocalyptic Thriller". Netflix Tudum. Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ a b c Rooney, David (July 9, 2023). "'Bird Box Barcelona' Review: Spanish Spinoff of Netflix's Horror Hit Pads Out a Thin Concept With Meager Gains". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 10, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (March 12, 2021). "Netflix Sensation 'Bird Box' Is Getting A Spanish Spinoff Movie". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
- ^ Devore, Britta (May 9, 2023). "First 'Bird Box Barcelona' Teaser & Image Bring the Deadly Carnage to Spain". Collider. Archived from the original on May 9, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
- ^ Grater, Tom (October 28, 2021). "Netflix Sets Cast For Spanish 'Bird Box' Spin-Off". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 11, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
- ^ Tartagli, Nancy (January 20, 2022). "Netflix's David Kosse Talks Drawing Top Talent For Streamer's European Film Push & What's On Deck". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
- ^ Travis, Ben (May 9, 2023). "Bird Box Barcelona Trailer Unveils Netflix's Surprise Spin-Off Movie". Empireonline. Archived from the original on May 11, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
- ^ "Bird Box Barcelona (2023)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ "Bird Box Barcelona". Metacritic. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
