(Review) Bird Box Barcelona: A Thrilling Spanish Twist on the Netflix Horror Genre

• Bird Box: Barcelona takes the classic sci-fi horror genre to the streets of Barcelona with a unique twist.
• Mario Casas’ portrayal of Sebastian, a devoted father struggling to protect his daughter, is captivating.
• This fresh take on horror focuses not on those hiding indoors but on the unhinged individuals who roam the streets and tempt others to open their eyes and embrace death.
• Unfortunately, delving into Sebastian’s mental state through flashbacks was used more as a narrative convenience than an exploration of grief and loss.
• Àlex and David Pastor introduce an intriguingly evil concept but fail to commit fully; this hesitation raises questions about why they made the movie in the first place.
• Despite its flaws, Bird Box Barcelona still intrigues with its Spanish flair and captivating premise.

Get ready to be captivated once again as the Pastor brothers transport the sci-fi dystopia of Bird Box to the vibrant streets of Barcelona. In this sequel to Susanne Bier’s popular 2018 film, the premise remains the same: a parent and child must navigate a world plagued by mysterious entities that induce suicidal urges when looked upon.

In Bird Box: Barcelona, Mario Casas portrays Sebastián, a devoted father who goes to extreme lengths to protect his daughter, Anna (Alejandra Howard). The film opens with the duo wandering through a post-apocalyptic Barcelona, eventually finding refuge with a group of survivors in an abandoned bus shelter.

However, this film takes a fascinating twist, focusing not on the victims hiding indoors but on the unhinged individuals who roam the streets, compelling others to open their eyes and embrace death. This fresh perspective adds an unexpected element to the horror genre.

While the film initially shows promise, delving into the origins of Sebastián’s mental state through flashbacks, it unfortunately falls short of its potential. The exploration of grief and loss becomes more of a narrative convenience, and Sebastián’s murderous actions lack creativity and surprises.

Writer-directors Àlex and David Pastor introduce an intriguingly evil concept but fail to commit it fully. They handle the subject matter with a seriousness that limits their ability to fully engage the audience with the twisted psychology of the protagonist. As a result, the film feels incomplete and lacking in thrills.

The best genre films, like Hitchcock’s Psycho, challenge the audience by forcing them to sympathize with the monster. The Pastors may shy away from fully embracing this approach as they attempt to redeem the character of Sebastián. This hesitation raises the question of why they even made the movie in the first place.

Bird Box Barcelona offers a unique take on the horror genre but needs to catch up to its potential. Despite its flaws, the film still intrigues with its Spanish flair and captivating premise.