The monsters in the Netflix movie Bird Box have remained unseen, leaving viewers to wonder what they may have looked like. The film follows Malorie, played by Sandra Bullock, as she tries to protect her children from mysterious creatures that cause people to kill themselves if seen. To survive, they must blindfold themselves when venturing outside. While the monsters are never shown, there are some clues about their appearance sprinkled throughout the film.
Quick Answers
The monsters in Bird Box are never fully seen or described in detail. Based on clues in the film, they seem to appear somewhat human-like or ghostly, and potentially have powers to hypnotize people and make them hallucinate. Their exact features are left purposefully vague to play on viewers’ imagination and fear of the unknown.
Clues about the Monsters’ Appearance
Here are some of the key clues about what the monsters may have looked like:
- At one point, Malorie says “It’s right there” while looking out a window, implying the monsters have a physical, solid form of some kind.
- Douglas describes the monster’s presence as a “feeling” and says he could “feel it looking right at me.” This suggests an intelligent, watching entity.
- The monsters seemingly transmit visions or hallucinations to those who see them, implying some psychic or hypnotic power.
- Drawings from Charlie’s school classmates depict ominous, shadowy humanoid figures.
- When Gary pulls off his blindfold outside, there is a brief flashes of something ghostly or apparitional.
While the creatures remain a mystery, these clues paint them as having an almost human or humanoid shape, yet with supernatural powers to drive people mad. They seem to exist physically and watch their victims maliciously.
Theories on What the Monsters May Be
Many fans and reviewers have analyzed the scarce clues to come up with theories on what form the Bird Box monsters could take. Here are some of the most popular hypotheses:
Ghosts or Supernatural Beings
The brief glimpse of Gary outside shows a fast, ghostly figure. Some believe the monsters are therefore spirits or phantoms of some kind. They seem to induce visions and appear out of nowhere, like supernatural beings. As Gary says upon seeing one, “It was like a shadow.”
Demons or Devil-Like Creatures
Others think the monsters have a demonic or devilish appearance. The kids’ drawings show threatening, horned creatures. The fact that they cause suicide could mean they are literally demons driving people to “hell.” They seem to represent evil forces humans cannot comprehend.
Aliens or Extraterrestrials
Another theory holds that the monsters are aliens unknown to humans. Some believe they came on the mysterious meteors tracked across the sky. As totally alien beings, their appearance would be unimaginable to people. They behave with seemingly cold, calculating intelligence as they watch their victims.
Physical Manifestations of Madness
A more metaphorical theory suggests the creatures represent madness itself taking physical form. They drive people insane with just a look. This speaks to the fragility of the human mind – we are all susceptible to madness if we confront the darkest parts of the psyche.
Grotesque Beasts or Creatures
Some think the monsters have a grotesque, almost Lovecraftian appearance. They speculate the creatures could have writhing tentacles, gaping maws, and strange appendages. Their glimpses in the movie don’t reveal details, but show ominous, shadowy forms.
Shape-Shifting Entities
Given the uncertain form of the monsters, some believe they are shape-shifters who take on different appearances. They seem to appear differently to each person who sees them. An evil shape-shifter would allow the director to keep their appearance hidden from the audience.
The Importance of the Unknown
Ultimately, the creatures in Bird Box play upon the innate human fear of the unknown. We are never allowed to view them directly as the audience. This makes our imaginations run wild thinking what horrific visuals they could produce. The lack of clear details makes them all the more unsettling. As Malorie says, “It’s the unknown that terrifies and disorients.” By keeping the monsters shrouded in mystery, the movie taps into fundamental fears.
Leaving Monsters to the Imagination
Having the audience imagine the horror may be more frightening than anything shown on screen. Some argue a specific monster design could never live up to what viewers envision. Letting the mind fill in the gaps provokes individual nightmares. Director Susanne Bier said, “If we do show [the monster], there’s a danger it becomes comic or silly or just not scary.” Keeping it unknown leaves an unsettling blank for viewers to fill with their own fears.
The Dread of Uncertainty
There is a primal human fear of the uncertain and unknown. When we cannot see or understand a threat, it becomes more terrifying. The vague form of the monsters taps into this instinctive dread. We desperately wish to know their appearance and nature, yet not seeing them makes them more potent and hard to process. It leaves us unsettled.
A Universal, Shared Fear
By leaving the monsters obscure, people can project their own fears onto them. They become broad symbols of the many things that frighten us – death, disease, madness, evil, the “other.” The less defined they are, the more universal and shared the fear becomes. Everyone can shape them into their own worst nightmare.
The Impact of the Hidden Monsters
While the monsters’ physical appearance goes unseen, they still have a profound impact on the world of the film:
| Ways the Monsters Impact the World | Examples from the Film |
|---|---|
| They cause widespread madness and suicide | News reports describe mass casualties as people see the creatures and kill themselves |
| Society collapses from the threat | Cities become abandoned, people flee to the wilderness to escape |
| Survivors are forced to take extreme precautions | They cover all windows, only go outside blindfolded, hide silently indoors |
| People turn against each other out of fear | Douglas believes Malorie’s babies should be killed so their cries don’t attract monsters |
So while the creatures remain unseen, their presence dramatically alters the world. They are a devastating, catastrophic force even in their obscurity.
Conclusion
The monsters in Bird Box are purposefully kept vague and mysterious throughout the film. While never seen clearly, there are hints they have an intelligent, humanoid form with supernatural powers of madness. Many fans have theorized they could be ghosts, demons, aliens or grotesque beasts. Ultimately, their obscurity taps into a primal human fear of the unknown. Leaving their appearance to the imagination likely makes them more frightening than anything concrete shown on screen. Though never viewed directly, they still ominously impact the world by causing society’s collapse. Their unseen presence generates an atmosphere of dread and uncertainty that permeates the entire film.
