The film Bird Box features mysterious monsters that, when looked upon, drive people to suicide. Though the monsters are never fully shown in the film, some clues are provided about their appearance. The film is set primarily in the United States, but some fans have wondered what the monsters would look like in other parts of the world, like Barcelona, Spain. In this article, we’ll explore what the Bird Box monsters in Barcelona might look like based on contextual clues from the film.
The Bird Box Monsters
In Bird Box, the monsters are invisible creatures that seemingly appeared out of nowhere and began driving humans who saw them to suicide. Their origins are never explained, but they spread quickly across the globe. Some key facts about the monsters:
- They are invisible to the human eye
- Looking at them drives people to commit suicide
- They produce a sound when near their victims
- Animals can sense their presence and become agitated
- They are able to affect large numbers of humans quickly
The monsters’ invisibility makes their appearance open to speculation. All people know is the psychological effect of seeing them. Some fans have theorized that the creatures take on the appearance of the viewer’s worst fear or greatest trauma. Others believe they may have aphysical monstrous or alien-like form. But since they are never concretely described, the possibilities are endless.
Bird Box Barcelona Setting
Though most of Bird Box takes place in the United States, there are some clues that the monsters have spread globally. Malorie, the main character, briefly mentions news reports of similar events happening in Barcelona, Spain.
Some key facts about Barcelona:
- Barcelona is located on the coast of northeastern Spain
- It has a population of over 5 million in the metro area
- The primary language is Spanish/Catalan
- Barcelona is known for its architecture, unique culture, arts, and food
Though we don’t see Barcelona directly in the film, we can speculate what the monsters’ impact might be in such a large, vibrant, coastal city with a unique culture.
What the Monsters Could Look Like in Barcelona
So what might the invisible Bird Box monsters look like if perceived by the people of Barcelona? Here are some possibilities:
Manifest as Local Folklore Creatures
The monsters could manifest as frightening creatures from Catalan folklore and myth. For example:
- The Cucafera, a mythical dragon-like beast
- The Dips, evil elf-like creatures
- The Carabo, a massive legendary snake
- Gog and Magog, giants from mythology
These fearsome regional folkloric beasts would be terrifying for locals to behold. The monsters could take on these familiar forms to maximally impact the people of Barcelona.
Reflect Local Architecture and Landmarks
Since Barcelona has incredibly unique architecture and landmarks, the monsters could twist these familiar sights into disturbing visions. Some possibilities:
- Sagrada Familia, the stunning cathedral, appearing in a warped, melting form
- La Pedrera, the wavy Gaudi building, moving and shifting in impossible ways
- Parc Guell, the colorful park, overgrown and decaying
- Las Ramblas, the famous pedestrian street, deserted and ravaged
Seeing these beloved Barcelona landmarks and architectural works distorted into nightmarish spectacles would be mentally traumatizing for the people of the city.
Invoke Imagery from Spanish Surrealists
Surrealist artists like Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso could inspire the visual form the monsters take in a culturally impactful way. Some surrealist elements:
- Melting, warped objects
- Nonsensical combinations of objects or body parts
- Distorted human forms and faces
- Dreamlike or metaphorical imagery
These surreal, unsettling images directly from the depths of brilliant Spanish artists would cut to the core of the cultural psyche.
Reflect Local Cuisine
Food is deeply important to the culture of Barcelona. The monsters could manifest as horrifying interpretations of local iconic cuisine, including:
- Paella, the signature rice dish, depicted rotting or overrun with vermin
- Botifarra sausage oozing blood or insects
- Tapas dishes infested with mold, maggots, or human body parts
- Horchata, the sweet beverage, thickened to the consistency of sludge
Corrupting the beloved cuisine of Barcelona would sicken and emotionally devastate the people of the city.
Conclusion
While the monsters in Bird Box are never fully revealed, thinking about how they might appear in Barcelona provides some terrifying possibilities. The creatures could take on forms specifically tailored to the culture and psyche of the Spanish city. Whether drawing from regional folklore, iconic landmarks and architecture, renowned artists like Dali and Picasso, or traditional cuisine, the manifestations would cut deep into the minds of Barcelona’s people. However the monsters chose to appear, it’s certain the results would be horrific, mentally scarring, and potentially lead to widespread suicide among the populations of Barcelona. Their cultural familiarity mixed with disturbing and impossible transformations would make the monsters’ powers inescapable in the iconic seaside city.