In the post-apocalyptic thriller Bird Box, directed by Susanne Bier, the character Sebastian is mysteriously immune to the supernatural entities that drive people who see them to suicide. This immunity is a key plot point that is never fully explained in the film, leaving viewers to speculate on the reasons behind it.
What are the creatures in Bird Box and what do they do?
The creatures in Bird Box are invisible, supernatural beings whose true form is never revealed. When someone looks at one of the creatures directly, they are overcome by an urge to commit suicide. It is also hinted that the creatures can drive people insane by revealing their victims’ worst fears or making them hallucinate. The creatures’ origins are unknown, but their effect on humankind is devastating, leading to the imminent collapse of civilization.
How the creatures affect people
The creatures affect people in a few key ways:
- Seeing a creature leads to an irresistible urge to commit suicide
- They can make people hallucinate or see visions of their worst fears
- Looking at them indirectly through images or video also leads to suicidal urges
- Their presence leads to widespread madness and social collapse
The creatures essentially weaponize human psychology and perception against us. By tapping into our minds and showing us our deepest darkest fears and regrets, they drive even the mentally stable to suicidal insanity in seconds.
Who is Sebastian in Bird Box?
Sebastian is a young boy who Malorie takes in and cares for, along with his sister Olympia. Based on some photos and flashbacks, it seems that Malorie was friends with their mother. After the apocalypse begins, Malorie brings the two children to live with her at her house, where they craft blindfolds and try to survive the catastrophe outside.
Key facts about Sebastian:
- Roughly 5-7 years old
- His sister is named Olympia
- Malorie was friends with their mother
- He survives with Malorie and Olympia when the creatures appear
- Shows no effects from looking at the creatures
Sebastian is a brave, intelligent, and observant child. He dutifully follows Malorie’s rules for surviving with blindfolds and helps look after his sister. His immunity to the creatures becomes central to the humans’ survival.
When is it revealed that Sebastian is immune?
Sebastian’s immunity is revealed gradually over the course of the film through small clues that build up:
Clues about Sebastian’s immunity:
- He is strangely calm when chaos first erupts outside
- He removes his blindfold briefly against Malorie’s orders with no ill effects
- He later admits to Malorie that he looked at a creature out the window but felt nothing
- When others like Olympia succumb to the creatures from looking briefly, Sebastian remains unaffected
The biggest reveal comes near the end, when Malorie sees that Sebastian has taken off his blindfold to navigate as they go river rafting. He admits he saw a creature underwater but remains completely sane and normal. This proves beyond doubt that he cannot be influenced by the entities.
Why is Sebastian immune?
While Sebastian’s immunity is never conclusively explained, here are some possible theories based on evidence and logic:
Theories on Sebastian’s immunity:
| Theory | Explaination |
|---|---|
| Genetic abnormality | His genes may make him wired differently to resist the creatures’ influence |
| Mental resilience | His mind could have natural defenses or run differently in a way that makes him immune |
| Already insane | He could already be mentally ill or unstable in a way that provides immunity |
| Brain damage | Past head trauma may have rewired his brain to be unaffected |
| Supernatural protection | Divine intervention or supernatural forces could shield him |
Due to his age, genetic abnormality or inherent mental resilience seem the most plausible. The creatures seem to work by revealing inner darkness – if Sebastian’s mind lacks such darkness, this could explain his resistance. His immunity remains ambiguous and open to interpretation.
How does Sebastian’s immunity help the main characters survive?
Once it becomes clear Sebastian is immune, his ability provides a major advantage in escaping the threat of the creatures:
- He can act as a lookout without risk, warning Malorie of dangers
- His vision guides them safely down the treacherous river when Malorie is blindfolded
- He can gather food and supplies without being driven insane by the creatures
- His immunity means they don’t have to worry about him suddenly snapping like others did
Without Sebastian, Malorie, Olympia, and Boy likely would have perished. Sebastian’s immunity gives them just enough of an edge to survive the harrowing journey down the river. In the end, his special gift saves all their lives.
Importance of Sebastian’s immunity
| Aspect | Importance |
|---|---|
| Revealing the creatures | High – it exposes key clues about the creatures’ powers |
| Driving the plot | High – his immunity is central to many key events |
| Helping main characters survive | Extremely high – it allows them to safely navigate the river |
| Thematic significance | Medium – provides hope, but not explored deeply |
Without Sebastian’s special immunity, the characters would not have made it to the sanctuary alive. It provides critical hope and protection for the protagonists in an otherwise bleak setting.
Conclusion
Sebastian’s unexplained immunity to the suicidal insanity caused by the creatures serves an important role in Bird Box. It provides clues about the creatures’ powers, drives the plot forward, enables the characters to safely reach the sanctuary, and offers a glimmer of hope in dark times. While we never get a conclusive explanation for why Sebastian is unaffected, plausible theories point to genetic quirks or mental resilience. His immunity remains a thought-provoking mystery and key to the humans’ survival.
