Parents' Guide to

Bird Box

By Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Violent sci-fi thriller has chaos, gory deaths, swearing.

Movie R 2018 124 minutes
Bird Box Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 53 parent reviews

F. P.
F. P. Parent of 12-year-old
December 30, 2018
age 13+

One Very Short Sex Scene around 35:00 mark

Not really scary as much creepy. As noted there is gore, language and one 2 second sex scene around the 35:00 mark.
2 people found this helpful.
Sarskia P.
Sarskia P. Parent of 11-year-old
December 18, 2022
age 13+

Triggering and violent, but very well done

What a great movie! This movie is entirely based off of suicide so if you have had self harming thoughts then this movie could be very upsetting for you so I wouldn’t watch it. This movie is also quite stressful. The characters are in constant danger and many distressing scenes with graphic suicide (smashing face into glass repeatedly, standing in front of huge truck, smashing head on stone walls, stabbing in neck with scissors) all these scenes are very gory and show lots of blood. Children are in constant danger and are very clueless so they walk head first into danger and have no idea. Also a newly born infant is in mortal danger and you have no idea if it will get killed or not. This movie also have a graphic sex scene: the main characters walks in on two side characters up against the wall with their legs wrapped around each other. She quickly closes the door so the scene doesn’t go on for too long. The movie also shows two ladies giving birth at the same time with no pain killers. But this movie was well done and is very enjoyable to watch if you are not easily scared. DO NOT SHOW TO KIDS UNDER 12.

This title has:

Too much violence
See all 53 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Painter Malorie (Sandra Bullock), mid-pregnancy and unsure about becoming a mother, is thrust into a global nightmare in BIRD BOX. A deadly force threatens the planet. Unseen but lethal -- anyone who looks in its direction is impelled to commit suicide by any means -- the evil presence is destroying the population. Chaos prevails. Blindfolds, as protection, take center stage. Finding interim refuge in a house inhabited by other desperate people, Malorie gives birth. Her housemates include: Douglas (John Malkovich, an alcoholic prophet of doom; Cheryl (Jackie Weaver), a resilient senior; an unsophisticated Olympia (Danielle Macdonald); and Tom (Trevante Rhodes), who may be the one person Malorie can count on. Director Susanne Bier intercuts the cataclysmic events to which one after another of the principals fall victim, with scenes five years in the future when Malorie and two children, Boy (Julian Edwards) and Girl (Vivien Lyra Blair) race down a river in a final, valiant attempt to survive.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (53):
Kids say (140):

Sandra Bullock, sympathetic and a force of nature here, in combination with other solid performances, terrific direction, and abundant blindfolds, makes a conventional tale suspenseful and effective. Though the filmmakers have attempted to provide some degree of optimism by the end of Bird Box, the five years during which nothing has been able to stem the onslaught of the terror isn't very reassuring. Suspension of disbelief is a necessity, as is not looking too closely at some of the plot elements; however, the unceasing tension and rooting interest for the heroic folks makes it a thrilling ride -- only for mature teens and grown-ups.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the violence in Bird Box. The actual monster/creature/presence is never seen in this movie. How did the filmmakers let you know it was near? Why was it as scary, or even scarier, than seeing a visual image? What is the impact of media violence on kids?

  • How does Bird Box illustrate such character strengths as courage, perseverance, teamwork?

  • What's the difference between an "end-of-the-world" movie and a "dystopian" movie? Why do you think both genres appeal to audiences, especially teens? What are your favorites?

Movie Details

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