Released in 2018, Bird Box, starring Sandra Bullock as Malorie Hayes, quickly became a sensation on Netflix. As per the streaming platform, Bird Box went on to become its most-watched film within 28 days of release that year.
The post-apocalyptic film spawned a Spanish remake, Bird Box Barcelona, which is about to release on the streaming platform this week.
Despite the lack of any big international names associated with it, there is ample anticipation surrounding the project. We are living in the era of remakes, reboots, and revivals, and we are already fatigued.
While studios and streaming giants want us hooked on nostalgia to get us through these IRL apocalyptic times, we desperately need something fresh and fun. So the question remains whether Bird Box Barcelona will be able to bring anything new to the table or will simply be a rehash of the same old.
What was Bird Box about?
In the post-apocalyptic horror thriller Bird Box, directed by Susanne Bier, the world is thrown into chaos when mysterious entities appear, driving anyone who sees them to madness and suicide.
Bullock played Malorie Hayes, a mother determined to protect her children from these creatures, who are never seen on-screen, adding to the tension and terror.
Forced to navigate the treacherous outside world blindfolded, they embark on a perilous journey in search of safety. With suspense and a gripping narrative, the Netflix original Bird Box explored the depths of human resilience and the lengths a mother will go to protect her loved ones in a world plunged into darkness.
The pitfalls to avoid in Bird Box Barcelona
With the Spanish remake on the horizon, audiences are naturally curious about what Bird Box Barcelona will bring to the table. It is justified to feel scepticism towards remakes and spin-offs, which can often turn into mere cash grabs, relying on the success of its predecessor, adding nothing new to the existing universes and stories.
One of the potential pitfalls of a sequel or spin-off is the risk of redundancy or dilution of the original concept. Bird Box Barcelona seems to acknowledge this concern by taking a different approach. Instead of being a direct sequel, the film presents a spin-off storyline that explores new characters and their journey through the dystopian world filled with lethal entities but on the other side of the world. By doing so, it has the opportunity to expand the universe established in the original film while offering fresh perspectives and narratives.
The success of Bird Box relied heavily on its suspenseful atmosphere, chilling visuals, and clever avoidance of actually showing the monsters. This potentially avoided the sense of letdown many Lost fans felt when the ‘Smoke Monster’ was revealed after haunting the characters and audience alike for weeks.
To capture the essence of the original film, Bird Box Barcelona needs to maintain these key elements while infusing its own cultural and artistic identity. Spanish cinema has a rich history in itself.
Ultimately, what audiences want from Bird Box Barcelona is a film that carries the story forward while staying true to its roots. By navigating the pitfalls often associated with remakes and spin-offs, Bird Box Barcelona has the potential to satisfy fans of the original film and leave a lasting impression on its own terms.
Bird Box Barcelona releases on Netflix on July 14th, 2023.
