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Movies & TV

06th Jun 2023

Netflix gives viewers first proper look at spin-off to one of its biggest movies ever

Stephen Porzio

Bird Box Barcelona

Just like the original, the follow-up looks set to be a very tense watch.

Netflix has released a new teaser trailer for Bird Box Barcelona, the first follow-up to its 2018 smash-hit Bird Box.

Based on the 2014 novel of the same name by Josh Malerman, the original post-apocalyptic horror thriller told the story of a woman (played by Sandra Bullock) and two children who, in order to reach safety and avoid unseen deadly forces that have destroyed society, must trek through a forest and river whilst blindfolded.

While mostly garnering a mixed-to-positive reception from critics, the movie was a massive hit for the streaming service. Within the first 28 days of its release in 2018, it racked up 282,020,000 hours viewed by subscribers – making it the third most popular English-language original Netflix movie behind Red Notice (364,020,000) and Don’t Look Up (359,790,000).

While Malerman said back in 2020 that a direct sequel to Bird Box was in development, the streamer has proceeded with a spin-off first that moves the action to Spain. Its plot synopsis reads:

“From the producers of the global phenomenon, Bird Box, comes Bird Box Barcelona, an expansion of the film that riveted audiences in 2018. After a mysterious force decimates the world’s population, Sebastian (Mario Casas, The Invisible Guest) must navigate his own survival journey through the desolate streets of Barcelona. As he forms uneasy alliances with other survivors and they try to escape the city, an unexpected and even more sinister threat grows.”

Bird Box Barcelona

A still from the latest Bird Box Barcelona trailer

Brother filmmaking duo Àlex and David Pastor wrote and directed the spin-off, having previously helmed 2009’s Carriers, another post-apocalyptic flick, which starred Chris Pine.

Along with Casas, the cast for Bird Box Barcelona features the Hollywood stars Diego Calva (Babylon) and Georgina Campbell (Barbarian), as well as a host of Spanish actors including Gonzalo de Castro (The Innocent), Leonardo Sbaraglia (Wild Tales), Lola Dueñas (Volver), Michelle Jenner (The Ministry of Time) and Patrick Criado (Money Heist).

Last month, Netflix dropped a brief 45-second teaser clip for the spin-off. The streamer has since released a longer trailer, showcasing more of how the ominous unseen force devastates the Spanish city.

Bird Box Barcelona will arrive on Netflix on 14 July. You can check out its latest teaser right here:

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