Rating of
2.5/4
Open Your Eyes (Actually, Don't - You'll Die)
Chris Kavan - wrote on 12/29/18
It's hard not to compare Bird Box to other films (The Happening and The Road are the two most obvious parallels) but where this post-apocalyptic parenthood drama manages to stand out is on the shoulders of the two lead, Sandra Bullock and Trevante Rhodes - along with the two children, Vivien Lyra Blair and Julian Edwards. The concept is interesting - something causes a world-wide wave of suicides and it's brought about by eye contact. Thus blindfolds, black-out windows and other such things must be applied in order to survive. The film features a nice cast mix - even if most are only given the basic development. This includes the likes of John Malkovich, Jacki Weaver, Rosa Salazar, Lil Rel Howery, Sarah Paulson and Danielle Macdonald among others. I do have to say I really enjoyed Tom Hollander's unhinged characters more than I should have. And the idea that birds can sense these entities or whatever was a nice touch.
In the end, Netflix might not have the most outstanding sci-fi horror drama ever conceived but it is worth checking out for the performances alone and has some nifty touches along the way.
