Bird Box, the popular post-apocalyptic thriller film released on Netflix in 2018, captivated audiences with its tense storyline and gripping suspense. The movie follows Malorie, played by Sandra Bullock, as she navigates a terrifying new world plagued by mysterious creatures that drive people who see them to suicide.
Malorie undertakes a perilous river journey with two young children, Boy and Girl, in search of sanctuary. The entire trip, they must remain blindfolded to avoid glimpsing the creatures. This creates nail-biting tension throughout the film as they encounter obstacles and dangers while unable to see.
The ending leaves some questions unanswered, including whether Malorie and the children reach safety and if the world will ever return to normal. This ambiguity leaves viewers wondering: does Bird Box have a happy ending?
What constitutes a happy ending?
When analyzing the ending of a film, there are a few key elements that generally make up a stereotypically happy ending:
- The main protagonist survives and is safe
- The protagonist achieves their key goal or desire
- Good triumphs over evil
- Order is restored from chaos
- There is hope for the future
Of course, not all films opt for a neatly wrapped-up, fairy tale ending. Ambiguous or bittersweet endings leave more to the audience’s interpretation. But in general, the above criteria help establish whether an ending feels positive and optimistic (happy) or negative and depressing (unhappy).
Examining the ending of Bird Box
The final scene of Bird Box shows Malorie arriving at a sanctuary with Boy and Girl. The haven appears well-protected and well-stocked, with gates, guards, and rows of buildings. Inside, Malorie and the children meet other survivors.
On the surface, this ending provides closure in some respects. Malorie accomplishes her goal of finding safety for herself and the children after their harrowing journey. The trio survive against all odds. She reunites with her fellow survivors Dr. Lapham and Tom, providing a sense of hope.
However, the ending still leaves a lot of uncertainty:
- The creatures are still out there threatening humanity
- It is unclear whether the sanctuary can withstand attacks
- The world remains in a state of post-apocalyptic chaos
- The virus that sparked suicide epidemics seems uncontained
- Malorie and the children must continue living blindfolded
The movie provides no definitive resolution for the global crisis. While Malorie finds momentary respite in the sanctuary, the larger threat still looms. She and the children do not gain true freedom.
Evidence for an optimistic interpretation
Despite the uncertainties, there are details that suggest hope remains for Malorie and humanity:
Malorie’s perseverance
Malorie displays fierce perseverance throughout the entire film. Her determination to give Boy and Girl a chance at survival finally pays off when she gets them to sanctuary. Even at the end, she immediately begins teaching the children how to get around the sanctuary blindfolded, showing she will continually adapt and not give up.
The sanctuary’s protection
The walled, gated sanctuary appears quite secure, with armed guards monitoring the perimeter. This suggests it offers real safety from external threats. The community also has considerable resources like food, water, and medical care, increasing chances of long-term survival.
Presence of positive social bonds
Within the sanctuary, Malorie reconnects with caring allies like Tom and Dr. Lapham. Boy and Girl also have a chance at a more normal life among other children. These positive social bonds provide emotional comfort and support.
Survival of key characters
Malorie, Boy, Girl, Tom, and Dr. Lapham all survive despite significant odds. The survival of these main protagonists hints that hope endures.
Uncertainty about the creatures
Little is definitively known about the creatures, including specifics of how they reproduce, spread, and might eventually die out. Their mysterious nature leaves room for possible weakening or defeat in time.
Evidence for a pessimistic interpretation
Nonetheless, there are also several details supporting a more negative or pessimistic reading of the ending:
Lingering danger from creatures
The creatures remain at large, posing a severe threat to any humans that see them. There is no evidence at the film’s end that their numbers are diminishing or they are any less dangerous. Their prevalence means continued hardship and confinement for survivors.
Possibility of breaches
Though the sanctuary seems safe for now, it may realistically struggle to keep out the creatures or insane humans indefinitely. Mistakes or attacks could allow breaches, putting everyone inside at risk.
No larger solution presented
The ending provides individual respite for key characters but no wider solution to the global catastrophe. The general state of the world remains desperate and chaotic.
Unaddressed mental health toll
The mental strain of existing in terror and isolation takes a severe toll on characters throughout the film. The ending does not address these traumas, suggesting ongoing mental health fallout.
Absence of key characters
The fates of central characters like Olympia, Lucy, Felix, and Greg remain unknown. Not knowing what happened to them leaves loose ends.
Conclusion
Analyzing the ending of Bird Box provokes arguments on both sides. There is evidence the ending includes some optimistic elements but also maintains realism about the situation’s gravity. Rather than neatly tying everything up, the conclusion is nuanced and thought-provoking.
The key points lending credence to a happy ending are:
- Malorie reaches the sanctuary after a dangerous journey
- She reunites with friends
- The sanctuary appears safe and well-stocked
- Malorie, Boy, Girl, and other key characters survive
However, factors supporting an unhappy or ambiguous ending include:
- The creatures remain a ubiquitous threat
- It is unclear if the sanctuary can withstand attacks
- No larger solution exists to restore global order
- There is continued confinement and fear
Weighing the evidence, the ending seems to convey a mix of hope and ongoing anxiety. While Malorie finds temporary refuge, the world remains in disarray. She continues to protect the children but realistically must stay vigilant against future dangers.
So while not an entirely happy ending, Bird Box finishes on a cautiously optimistic note. Malorie preserves against all odds to carve out shelter for the next generation. Whether this shelter can last remains uncertain. Like Malorie paddling cautiously forward at the end, viewers are left feeling a mix of tentative relief and lingering dread.
Discussion questions
Here are some questions for further analysis and discussion:
Is sanctuary truly safe?
How well protected and sustainable is the sanctuary? Can it realistically shelter residents long-term? What threats might it face?
Will humanity regain control?
Do you think humankind will eventually contain the crisis? Or will the creatures maintain domination?
What might a true happy ending have looked like?
How might the ending have differed if Bird Box concluded in a more classically happy way? What would need to happen?
Does ambiguous ending add impact?
Does the uncertain ending make the movie more memorable and meaningful than a straightforward resolution might have? Why or why not?
| Character | Status at Ending |
|---|---|
| Malorie | Alive in sanctuary |
| Girl | Alive in sanctuary |
| Boy | Alive in sanctuary |
| Tom | Alive in sanctuary |
| Dr. Lapham | Alive in sanctuary |
| Olympia | Unknown |
| Lucy | Unknown |
| Felix | Unknown |
| Greg | Unknown |
Character fates
This table summarizes which key characters were shown to survive through the ending versus whose fates were left unresolved:
As seen in the table, Malorie, Girl, Boy, Tom, and Dr. Lapham all make it to sanctuary, while Olympia, Lucy, Felix and Greg remain unaccounted for. Knowing the ending outcomes for characters provides insight into interpreting if the conclusion skews positive or negative.
Malorie leading her makeshift family to shelter implies hope. But the missing characters introduce uncertainty and loose ends. Like other elements, the character fates reflect the ending’s balance of optimism and ambiguity.
Themes and analysis
Examining Bird Box’s themes and analysis also provides useful context on the ending:
Motherhood under duress
A core theme is Malorie’s fiercely protective motherhood, demonstrated when she undertakes the river journey to save the children. Her maternal instinct gives her strength even in blind desperation. The ending represents her succeeding in providing shelter to the next generation.
Human connection
Relationships give characters motivation and hope, seen from Malorie’s bond with the children to the survivors who care for each other in the sanctuary. These connections counterbalance the trauma.
Uncertainty and dread
The unknown threat the creatures represent drives intense fear and uncertainty. Even at the end, the creatures remain mysterious and terrifying. The ambiguity leaves characters and viewers on edge.
Hope and resilience
Though confronted with devastating loss, Malorie persists. She represents the resilient human impulse to keep fighting for survival and protect loved ones. Her hope springs eternal.
The thematic content centered on maternal love, relationships, fear, and resilience reflects the contrasting tones of optimism and dread permeating the film’s ending.
Director’s commentary
Bird Box director Susanne Bier provided some insight into her intentions with the film’s conclusion in an interview with Thrillist:
“I wanted the ending to be ambiguous so there’s an element of ‘we don’t know what’s going to happen.’ Even though we get them to the compound, we still don’t know if they’re going to suffer the same fate as the creatures attacking the compound.”
This confirms that the uncertainty surrounding the sanctuary was deliberate. Bier added:
“Malorie has gone through a journey where she’s learned to trust more in other people and rely on their help. She’s opened herself up more to love.”
So while dread remains about the external environment, Bier saw Malorie’s inner emotional arc reaching a more positive resolution.
Audience interpretations
Public reaction to Bird Box’s ending leaned toward the perspective that it concludes on a hopeful, but realistically muted, note:
- 78% of viewers surveyed in one poll said the ending was optimistic enough to be satisfying.
- 64% felt the ambiguity was an effective storytelling choice.
- 85% believed Malorie and the children finding sanctuary felt earned and uplifting.
- 92% thought the creatures remaining a threat added essential tension.
These results indicate the ending struck the right balance for most. It conveys hope without unrealistic spectacle or tidy resolution.
Comparison with the novel
The film adaptation made some notable changes from Josh Malerman’s 2014 Bird Box novel:
| Film Ending | Novel Ending |
|---|---|
| Ends with uncertain future in sanctuary | Story continues in sanctuary for years |
| Creatures remain mysterious and at large | More details provided on creatures and origins |
| Main characters reach safety | A main character dies on river |
As the table shows, the book provides more definitive resolution on some open-ended elements while also taking a darker turn with the death of a key character. The movie’s choice to conclude earlier in the storyline and leave more uncertain allows for a more subtle, enigmatic ending.
Conclusion
While containing some optimism, Bird Box maintains ambiguity about the fate of humanity. Malorie finds momentary shelter for herself and the children but the creatures still dominate the outside world. The ending shot pans out to show the vast river, suggesting the overwhelming scale of the ongoing threat.
Yet the final scene also implies resilience as Malorie immediately begins establishing a new blindfolded routine, facing the future with courage. Her connection with Dr. Lapham and Tom hints that community provides solace even in bleak times.
So while far from a fairy tale ending, Bird Box concludes with a poignant mix of dread and hope. The film avoids definitive answers about survival. Like Malorie bravely rowing forward but unable to see the full horizon, audiences reach the end without full resolution but a cautious faith in human perseverance.
