Netflix film ‘Bird Box’ has sparked a new phenomenon

Warning: Spoilers Ahead 

 Bird Box has been seen by over 45 million Netflix accounts. It is about a group of people who are trying to avoid psychological monsters that are slowly taking over the world. Once you see these monsters, you will either harm yourself or others. The characters are slowly being killed off in the movie. During the film, the main character Malorie, played by Sandra Bullock, is challenged by her inner monsters while handling her children, Girl and Boy.  

A new challenge has been inspired by the film. It is called “The Bird Box Challenge.”  If you participate in this challenge, you wear a blindfold everywhere except indoors, just like in the movie. Most of the people who participate are YouTube creators; they film themselves while doing this challenge. Students may have seen fellow peers participate in this challenge here at HC.  

Netflix has warned subscribers to not do this challenge. Netflix tweeted on January 2, 2019, “Can’t believe I have to say this, but: PLEASE DO NOT HURT YOURSELVES WITH THIS BIRD BOX CHALLENGE. We don’t know how this started, and we appreciate the love, but Boy and Girl have just one wish for 2019 and it is that you not end up in the hospital due to memes.” According to a NBC Eyewitness News report, a teen driver has been accused of causing a car crash while participating in the Bird Box Challenge.  The teen will probably face reckless driving charges. This challenge can clearly cause harm to not only others, but to the participant.  

A conspiracy theory has surfaced around this phenomenon. Some people seem to believe that Netflix has made people watch a decent movie, but have paid “bots” or paid people to post these Bird Box memes. These memes have been very popular for the past couple of weeks and Bullock has became known as the lady from Bird Box. This form of advertisement is relatively common. Celebrities have also been posting about this movie, making their fans want to watch it. This includes Kim Kardashian West and Chrissy Teigen. 

Viewers have been warned. Regardless, congratulations to Netflix for having 45 million views on one movie in the span of a week.