The sequel to Bird Box, Susanne Bier’s hit 2018 Netflix sci-fi starring Sandra Bullock, Bird Box: Barcelona transposes pretty much the same premise – parent and child must seek out a safe haven from mysterious entities that cause overwhelming suicidal urges if you lay eyes on them – to a post-apocalyptic version of Barcelona. Mario Casas plays Sebastián, a doting father who is driven to desperate acts out of love for his daughter, Anna (Alejandra Howard).
This instalment is co-written and directed by Spain’s Pastor brothers, who are old hands when it comes to dystopian science-fiction scenarios triggered by preposterous events. Their 2013 feature The Last Days hinged on a viral epidemic that caused a paralysing fear of open spaces; Carriers (2009) followed four friends seeking refuge from an airborne plague. With Bird Box: Barcelona, as with any film of this outlandish ilk, suspension of disbelief and an appreciation of propulsively destructive action sequences is key. Just don’t expect too many fresh ideas.
