- "Bird Box" is Netflix's latest horror movie.
- Some people see a religious allegory, while others have theories involving parenting fears, racism, and social media.
- Another theory involves mental health and society's often negative portrayal of people suffering from mental illnesses.
- Warning: Major spoilers for "Bird Box" ahead.
Netflix's new post-apocalyptic horror film "Bird Box" seems to be the talk of the internet. The popular film has spawned a plethora of light-hearted memes and some critique regarding its portrayal of mental illness.
One of the biggest questions we’re left with after watching the movie: What's it really all about?
It could be about the terrible fears that come with becoming a new parent.
Malorie — as played by Sandra Bullock — is a very forceful, fierce mother to children she hasn't even named through most of the movie, as she opts instead to call them Boy and Girl.
Although we're able to observe that she thinks she's doing her best to protect them and keep them safe, most people usually give their children names of some sort.
Eventually, Malorie does this as well — but not until they finally arrive at the Janet Tucker School for the Blind and run into Dr. Lapham (played by Parminder Nagra) again. Only when Malorie believes they're safe does she feel that she can take this more conventional step in her life as a parent of these two young children. Is not naming them meant to protect them — or keep herself from getting too attached and having something terrible happen? We'll never know.
Ian Sandwell wrote for Digital Spy,"Largely though, like the book, Bird Box isn't concerned with exposition about what the force is and is more about Malorie learning to accept she's a parent, along with all the fears that comes with in a post-apocalyptic world. Because if you think parenting is tough, try doing it blindfolded."
Seemingly in agreement, Dani Di Placido, wrote for Forbes, "it’s pretty clear from the outset that this film is about the psychological struggle of parenthood. "
It might simply be a modern nod to the works of H.P. Lovecraft.
Malerman himself has said that while he's read and appreciates Lovecraft, regarded as one of the most significant 20th-century authors of horror, he's definitely no scholar of his works. If you're at all familiar with Lovecraft's works, however, there's no way to watch this film and miss that Lovecraftian influence.
As Narayan Liu wrote for CBR,
"The monsters in 'Bird Box' implement Lovecraftian elements differently, but no less obviously. Starring Sandra Bullock, the film depicts its unseen creatures as supernatural, in one way or another, with an ability to drive insane anyone who sets eyes upon them. It's the same effect triggered in Lovecraft's stories by 'Cthulhu' and all the 'Great Old Ones.' We don't know what the creatures in the film look like, we only have the sketches by the character Gary to go on, and that's enough.
The most terrifying thing about a Lovecraftian monster isn't their ghastly appearance, but instead their unimaginable power. 'Bird Box' places that front and center. That's why, no matter what the narrative failings may be, the monsters are consistently praised as the most memorable part of the film."
It could be about demons.
Another possibility is demons. Those malevolent creatures love wreaking havoc and if they can drive humans to harm themselves or each other, so much the better, according to this theory.
Redditor lionsatethem wrote,
"Using the hint given to us in the beginning of the movie by Charlie, the creatures were most likely a religion-related plague, brought upon by humanity itself. An appropriate label for these creatures are Fallen Angels or, more commonly, Demons.
In the Bible, demons are described as creatures so conceptually foul and inherently 'incorrect' that humans would simply go mad had they ever been subject to directly looking at such an impossibly horrid entity. In the film, this theme is painfully evident. Those who catch even the slightest glimpse of the 'creatures' are instantly driven mad, swiftly taking their own life, as if the horrific form they see essentially ruins their lives to such an extent that, in order to relieve themselves of such a nightmarish image, the affected are driven to the point of clinging to suicide for salvation from what they'd witnessed.
As for those, like Gary, who are able to look directly at these creatures and are seemingly enslaved by the image, it fits perfectly with the notion of Demons enslaving humans in order to further destroy humans. It's explained in the Bible that the demons' hatred for humans is so potent that, because they do not have the authority to touch us personally, they seek the next best option - trickery in order to achieve a self-destructive humanity."
See the rest of the story at Business Insider