Bird Box: Barcelona (2023)

My quick rating - 5.5/10. Bird Box: Barcelona had a lot to live up to after watching the suspense of the previous, but regretfully, it doesn't quite manage to live up to the intrigue of its predecessor. The title of the movie appears to be a marketing gimmick to bank on the success of the previous installment. The actual sequel attempt falls flat comparatively, failing to generate the heart-pounding suspense I felt in the first. One of the best parts of the movie, without a doubt, is the beautiful depiction of Barcelona, proving to be a treat with a beautiful landscape of the city, providing a picturesque setting to the story revolving around the characters. The last aspect that is also lacking in this story and makes this film disappointing is the pace, where some scenes are intentionally prolonged, hence influencing the overall pace of this film. I can confidently say that it seems like the whole crew had the agenda to prolong this film without adding substance. That makes this film somewhat boring, and I wish that this movie had been edited a bit better. Motivation is something that, without it, you will struggle to relate to this story and the characters, whom you cannot invest in. Despite these shortcomings, one shining light in the movie is Naila Schuberth as Sofia, the little girl. She brings an element of realism in those moments sorely needed in the movie. Schuberth's performance really does anchor the film and gives a much-needed connection. I just wish the rest of the cast had come off as invested as she did. The moments when the monster was in its stalking mode, she seemed to be the only believable one in her reaction. I felt that writers Àlex Pastor & David Pastor really forced the narrative with our lead, played by Mario Casas, to be that guy you really aren't sure if you should root for or against. And as I said, the motives for his action were highly suspect. Still, it did provide enough entertainment to be recommended if you enjoyed the first, just don't expect it to quite hit that level. I will admit it still has me interested in what the whole story turns out to be. I haven't read the novel by Josh Malerman, so no spoilers if you have, please.

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Bird Box: Barcelona (2023)

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