Directed by: Susanne Bier
Written by: Eric Heisserer, based on the novel by Josh Malerman
Starring:
Sandra Bullock as Malorie
Trevante Rhodes as Tom
John Malkovich as Douglas
Sarah Paulson as Jessica
Jacki Weaver as Cheryl
Rated R for violence, bloody images, language, and brief sexuality.
Runtime: 124 minutes
Admittedly, I didn’t know much about this movie going into it. I was intrigued by what possible story could lead to the image of Sandra Bullock and two kids wearing blindfolds, but my interest quickly began to wane as the film proceeded. I felt like I was watching a two-hour composite of two other movies I’ve seen in the past: The Happening (2008) and A Quiet Place (2018). While I would never watch the former ever again, I would gladly watch the latter any time. Bird Box, though, was just a continual sense of déjà vu.
The film follows Malorie (Bullock), an artist who is leery about becoming a mother. Malorie’s cheerful sister Jessica (Sarah Paulson) takes her to the hospital for a routine OB/GYN appointment. Jessica is well-meaning and wants Malorie to welcome this pregnancy with open arms…largely because Jessica is so excited to be an aunt. After the appointment, all hell breaks loose when people all around them start killing themselves. People start to flee in a panic and chaos ensues. Malorie and a few other survivors take refuge in a house owned by Douglas (played very well by John Malkovich). Douglas wants to survive like everyone else but is reluctant to be hosting other survivors.
Five years later, Malorie is with two young children, and the trio is trying to get downriver in hopes of survival. Malorie must paddle the boat blindfolded the whole time, as anyone who opens their eyes outdoors dies. Overall, this holds the promise of being a uniquely suspenseful scene – how many movies have you seen in which someone has to raft a river…blindfolded? Despite that, I was disappointed in the lack of thrills within the film. This scene was the only time I was on the edge of my seat, but one scene does not a thriller make.
Anyway, the film goes back and forth between the two plotlines. This is the aforementioned combination of films. The flashbacks are The Happening and the “present” storyline is A Quiet Place. Don’t get me wrong – I don’t mind the flip-flops. Many films use this technique quite successfully. In this case, though, I think they simply made the film unbearably long. The film would work for me if it was in the 90-minute range. Two hours and four minutes, though, was much too long and drawn-out for the content.
The performances are what make the film. The movie is well-acted, but that’s, unfortunately, the only praise-worthy component I can find. Sandra Bullock gives a strong performance, as always. John Malkovich sticks to type, playing a skeptic who you just want to punch in the face. Overall, the casting team did a great job selecting the right faces for their roles.
Although I admire the film’s attempt to entertain the viewers and keep us on our toes, I felt the film’s lack of originality was too persistent. Unfortunately, it ended up feeling more like the made-for-TV knock-off of a big-budget film. Thrillers, as a rule, thrive on mounting tension throughout the film. Bird Box had that, but I honestly can’t decide if it didn’t try hard enough or if it simply tried too hard.
2/4 stars
