As 2018 concluded, Netflix released many iconic feature films and series, such as the interactive “Black Mirror: Bandersnatch” film, “Orange is the New Black” and the third season of Daredevil. However, none have captured as much attention as the Dec. 13 release “Bird Box,” a movie based on the 2014 novel by Josh Malerman.

Within the first week of its release, a record-breaking 45 million accounts accessed the film, along with a flood of memes throughout the internet referencing the movie. 

“Bird Box” takes place in a modern-day setting over a five-year span, during which an apocalyptic entity begins to plague the world and cause mass suicides and murders simply from looking outside. In order to avoid succumbing to the entity’s evil, those trying to survive must navigate the outside world wearing a blindfold or else fall victim to a horrific death.

Sandra Bullock gives an unprecedented performance as the main character Malorie, bringing her audience into the terrifying reality that is the apocalyptic setting of the film. Her strong emotions are convincing as she and her two children try to survive the horrific events. Whether it was in happier flashback moments or while trying to escape the invisible entity that is beginning to consume the planet, Bullock embodies the role exceptionally.

There are many other pronounced actors like Sarah Paulson, playing Malorie’s sister Jessica; Trevante Rhodes, playing Tom, Malorie’s protective, an ex-military companion; and John Malkovich, who plays Douglas, a self-absorbed man who takes on the responsibility of protecting the frightened group. All of the actors, whether giving a short or long performance, contribute greatly to the film’s apocalyptic plotline.

The film contains a multitude of suspenseful moments, including times when it seems Malorie and her children won’t be able to escape the entity, and is also quite violent. With just enough backstory of the ominous events, the film leaves room for the audience’s imagination and interpretation of exactly what kind of terror wreaks havoc throughout the world.

Although “Bird Box” did have a similar concept to M. Night Shyamalan’s 2008 film “The Happening,” where the country is experiencing mass suicides and violent deaths seemingly out of nowhere, the reason for the deaths in “Bird Box” is far more terrifying and unnatural while it seems the only remedy is permanent blindness.

There have also been some comparisons to the 2018 film “A Quiet Place,” where making any sound will result in being hunted down by a horrible monster. When comparing the two, it seems the new trend for horror and suspense films involves completely changing one’s way of life in order to survive, such as losing sight and speaking, and a new rise in films like these may be expected in the next few years.

It’s unknown whether a sequel is in the works by Netflix, as only one “Bird Box” novel was written by Josh Malerman. However, it’s clear by the film’s ending there is more story to be told, and a sequel could potentially be just as popular as the original.

Overall, the film is an exciting and terrifying apocalyptic adaptation, which has surpassed many others with similar concepts and made a significant impact on modern culture.