Bird Box + Motherhood

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So the day after all of the hype (and, admittedly, after reading a spoiler-laden review), I decided to watch this “spooky” movie.

I had a lot of feelings while watching this. And I need to warn you, there may be spoilers ahead.

I cried. A lot. Like, a lot.

And then I went to bed, but I couldn’t sleep. I thought about this movie the entire night. I couldn’t quite place why I thought about it all night, but nonetheless, I did not sleep.

I watched as my Facebook friends left “meh, I don’t get the hype!” personal reviews and I would respond with something along the lines of “Really? I was so moved by this movie.”

I watched it again a few days later. This time, I was less “afraid” of it being a scary movie. Instead, I was fully enthralled in the dialogue and story.

Upon that second viewing, I realized just why I was so upset moved by the movie Bird Box.

Here’s the thing — Malorie is one-thousand percent relatable as a mother. I, for one, didn’t want to or intend to be a mother. Much like Malorie. I feared I wouldn’t be immediately attached with my firstborn. And guess what? I wasn’t — and that’s NOT uncommon, but it is a dirty little secret that most new moms refuse to talk about.

But it shouldn’t be.

My only immediate connection to motherhood was the urge to keep this new, tiny human, alive. I didn’t feel an overwhelming sense of love; just the need to continue to be the caretaker — to transition this new person from womb to the real world.

So it was refreshing to see that portrayed on the big screen, by the main character, without any major negative connotations. Usually, when a mother is portrayed as less-than-nurturing, they are seen as ‘weak’ or ‘unfit,’ but that was not the case in Bird Box. Malorie was simply acting as many of us would (and have) in times of crisis (such as the postpartum period).

Watching Malorie travel down the river blindfolded felt like a great analogy for the postpartum and adjustment period as a new mother. As a new mom we feel like we can go through these motions blind. We can feed, bathe, change, and help our new babies sleep — even if we fail to feel any other connection. And that’s what she did. She made it through a literal river of demons to keep her babies alive. That’s how I felt after having a baby and dealing with postpartum depression and anxiety — and it’s a story I’ve heard time and time again from my mom friends.

I feel like a lot of moms I know could really relate to Bird Box in a way that many people without children (or even dads) fail to initially grasp. It wasn’t just some horror flick. It was the most imaginative movie about motherhood that I’ve ever seen — without even meaning to be. If you haven’t yet had a chance to watch it, do yourself a favor and catch it on Netflix now!

And for those of you moms that are in the thick of your battle to connect and nurture, just know it will come. I promise. You’ll get through your river of demons, too. ♥