Not worth the hype

Rating: 5/10 (29 October 2019)

Bird Box has a fun concept and huge star (Sandra Bullock) that combined to make this one of the most streaming Netflix movies ever. It's memeable though not exactly memorable. In a year, how clearly will you remember the plot and the ending? How well do you remember it right now?
The movie is fine for a night of mindless entertainment. That's about it.
It features a problematic storytelling technique. The flashbacks remove some of what would have been the most suspenseful moments of the film. Instead of wondering what will happen and who will survive, viewers connect a few simple dots and figure out the answer. Suspense gone.
Many moments lean too heavily into the blood and violent imagery for effect. These tactics work to an extent, but they elicit cheap reactions. They are not earned, and they are not lasting.
Upon some reflection after watching, I found myself wondering, "what is this movie about?" A woman unsure if she can learn to love her child? I suppose, but what does the end of the world have to do with her plight? I couldn't find a clear answer.