Netflix struck gold with Bird Box in 2018, when it became one of the most streamed films, despite receiving mixed reviews from critics. This massive success was primarily led by Sandra Bullock's star power and the extensive marketing campaigns Netflix did for the film in the form of blindfold challenges. This Susanne Bier-directed movie also had an interesting story, as it was based on the hit novel of the same name by Josh Malerman. A common criticism of Bird Box was that it had a thin screenplay.
Nevertheless, the criticism did not stop Netflix from expanding the Bird Box franchise, with Bird Box Barcelona being the first of the many planned local-language Bird Box spinoffs. It is a Spanish spin-off sequel to the original film, directed by Alex and David Pastor. The film stars Mario Casas as Sebastián, Alejandra Howard as Anna, and Georgina Campbell as Claire, among others. Just like Bird Box, Bird Box Barcelona has also received mixed critical reviews, but it performed quite well on the streaming charts. As a result, it is only logical to analyze whether Bird Box Barcelona is better than the original or not.
Expansion of the 'Bird Box' Universe
The story of Bird Box Barcelona is quite similar to the original film, as it follows a group of people trying to survive and reach a place that is supposed to be a safe haven for the survivors. The world is invaded by strange creatures (also called "quantum beings" in Bird Box Barcelona) that cause most people who see them to commit suicide. These similarities are expected because the film is ultimately a Spanish-language spin-off set in the same universe and does not promise to explore new plot lines.
Nevertheless, the film still manages to provide insight into this post-apocalyptic through the eyes of different people, especially those living in other parts of the world. Local-language spin-offs are a great way to expand a universe, especially when Bird Box clearly depicts that the creatures are affecting people all over the globe. It also eliminates the common trope in apocalyptic movies that tends to focus on the impact of catastrophic events only on the USA. The flashbacks in Bird Box Barcelona also mention several other places, such as Poland, where accidents occur due to people committing suicide. Hence, the film has truly expanded the Bird Box universe and paved the way for more potential spin-offs and sequels.
Detailed Flashbacks
A major element that is common between Bird Box Barcelona and the original film is that both of them explore the backstory of the main characters through flashbacks. However, the first film had constant flashbacks that appeared in the film when Malorie Hayes (Sandra Bullock) was trying to protect her children and cross a river via boat to reach a safe haven. The pacing of the flashbacks in Bird Box Barcelona is much better as it allows the director to tell two engaging stories parallelly as the viewers learn about the true motives of Sebastián.
Better Main Character
While Sandra Bullock's star power definitely had a role to play in the massive success of Bird Box, her character was not developed as much as Mario Casas's Sebastián in Bird Box Barcelona. This major character development comes in the form of a twist. At first, the viewers are led to believe that Sebastián is a doting father who is trying to protect her daughter, just like Malorie protects her children in the original film. However, there is a huge shift in Sebastián's character in the first act that defies the standards of post-apocalyptic movies, especially when it comes to the main characters.
Complex Story
At first glance, viewers might feel that Bird Box Barcelona is very similar to the original film, but the way this film handles different twists and flashbacks elevates the entire viewing experience. Right from the first act, the audience cannot be sure of whom to trust, and this kind of unpredictable plot is maintained throughout the film.
The overall story of Bird Box Barcelona is also more complex and diverse than the original film. It dives deep into the way religious people act when they have to face mysterious forces. This plot is depicted through Padre Esteban (Leonardo Sbaraglia), a pastor leading a cult that is hunting the survivors and making them see the creature, as they consider these creatures to be angels. In fact, the entire plot and the main character, Sebastián, are built around the metaphor of blind faith causing people to act out of character, and it can be even more dangerous than the monsters hunting humans.
The movie also paves the path for future sequels or spin-offs by thoroughly discussing the concept of seers. People capable of seeing the creatures without getting the urge to kill themselves are called seers towards the end of the film. It is also revealed that seers have a unique chemical marker in their DNA that can be key scientists need to reclaim the world from these monsters.
Such kind of complex layers are absent in the Bird Box, and that is the reason why Bird Box Barcelona is definitely better than its predecessor.