Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Extreme violence, suicide, swearing in apocalyptic spin-off.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Bird Box Barcelona
What's the Story?
Sebastian (Mario Casas) is witness to mass chaos when people across Europe start killing themselves for no apparent reason in BIRD BOX BARCELONA. He saves his daughter, Anna (Alejandra Howard), but is unable to save his wife. In a seemingly post-apocalyptic world where the "sight" of an evil spirit drives humans to immediately kill themselves, Sebastian and Anna must survive as best they can. Or so it seems, because we quickly learn that Sebastian has already witnessed the spirit, and Anna is already dead. She's calling to him to join her after he exposes as many people as he can to the spirit. But when he meets psychologist Claire (Georgina Campbell) and the child she's found, Sofia (Naila Schuberth), Sebastian begins to realize what's really going on.
Is It Any Good?
You don't have to have watched Sandra Bullock-led Bird Box to be interested in this intense spin-off; coming in new might actually heighten the suspense. Bird Box Barcelona relocates the action to Spain, depleting the titular city of all color to create a brownish-grey post-apocalyptic setting. The new location, international cast (led by popular Spanish actor Casas and other locally recognizable actors), story and character alterations, and amplification of Catholic iconography (including a villainous priest played by Argentine veteran Leonardo Sbaraglia) could all provide new points of interest for viewers. But they'll quickly discover that the main ideas and graphic, aim-to-shock violence are still here. How can people kill themselves? Let this film count the ways.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Bird Box Barcelona compares with the original film, if you've seen it. What does the new movie add or do differently? What's the same?
The film has graphic violence. Do you think it's necessary to create the atmosphere and tell the story of this movie, or did it go too far at any point, in your opinion?
A priest seems to be leading the invasion of the evil spirits. Why a priest? What does he represent?
What do you think of the idea of people putting blinders on to move about in the world? Do you think the author of the original novel intended any symbolic messages about how we interact with others in society?
How does this film create a seemingly post-apocalyptic world? How would you describe what this world looks like?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : July 14, 2023
- Cast : Mario Casas , Georgina Campbell , Diego Calva
- Directors : David Pastor , Alex Pastor
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Thriller
- Topics : Book Characters , Fantasy
- Run time : 110 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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