The creatures in the Bird Box have become the source of much curiosity and speculation since the release of the Netflix film in 2018. While their exact origins are never fully revealed, there are some clues scattered throughout the movie that provide hints about where these mysterious beings may have come from.
The Creature’s Effects on Humans
First, it’s important to understand how the creatures affect humans who see them. In the film, any direct glimpse of the creatures drives a person instantly insane, causing them to commit suicide. This suggests the creatures have some supernatural ability to deeply affect the human mind.
Some key facts about the effect of the creatures:
- Seeing even an indirect image of a creature (such as a drawing) can cause a person to suicide
- The creatures’ effects appear nearly instantaneous
- The suicide impulse is very strong and difficult to resist
- Simply hearing the creatures does not trigger the suicidal reaction
This rules out the creatures being a purely physical phenomenon. The potency of even secondhand images implies the creatures exert a psychic or metaphysical effect on the human brain.
They Originated Far From Society
Early in the film, news reports indicate the creatures were first detected in remote areas such as Siberia and the Brazilian rainforest. This suggests the beings likely originated deep in wilderness far from human civilization.
Possible backstories based on a wilderness origin:
- The creatures may have emerged from some unexplored region of the planet
- They could be a previously undiscovered species that migrated to populated areas
- Some mutation or evolution in an existing animal could have produced the creatures
A wilderness origin also implies the creatures are a natural phenomenon, not an artificial creation. Their psychic effects appear intrinsic to their biology rather than intelligently designed.
They Display Animal Traits
Though never seen clearly, the creatures produce sounds like screeches, growls, and flapping wings. This suggests they are living organisms with animal qualities. Some other animal-like traits of the creatures:
- They are mobile and can actively approach/pursue humans
- They can be heard moving through trees and scrub
- Their sounds and shadows indicate they fly and perch like birds
However, the creatures also exhibit unnatural behavior that sets them apart from regular animals. For example, their relentless drive to force humans to suicide is not a typical animal behavior, but seems more akin to a supernatural phenomenon.
The Creatures Likely Originated From Nature
Given the clues above, the creatures most likely originated naturally from some remote wilderness area. They exhibit animal-like qualities of mobility, sound, and flight. However, their psychic effects on humans appear supernatural.
Here are some plausible origin theories that fit the profile:
- Demonic Entities: The creatures could be demons or other malevolent spirits that found a way to manifest physically and migrated from their remote origin to human society.
- Evolution Gone Wrong: A freak evolutionary occurrence in some exotic creature could have produced the deadly psychic abilities. Their migration brought this new threat to humanity.
- Message From Gaia: As a reaction to human damage, the Earth’s biosphere itself could have generated the creatures as a means of fighting back. Their psychic attacks are Gaia’s attempt to eliminate the human threat.
- Alien Invaders: The creatures might be extraterrestrials newly arrived on Earth with the goal of clearing humanity for colonization. Their psychic powers are weapons specifically tuned against humans.
While concrete explanations remain elusive, the story implies some malevolent force that humanity was tragically unprepared for. Like many great horror tales, Bird Box leaves the true nature of its threat unseen, allowing viewers’ imaginations to fill in the blanks.
Key Theories About the Creatures’ Origins
Theory | Description | Supporting Evidence |
---|---|---|
Demons | They are demons or dark spirits manifesting physically | Supernatural psychic effects on humans |
Evolution | A freak evolution occurrence in an exotic creature | Originated in remote wilderness, animal-like behaviors |
Gaia Reaction | Generated by the Earth itself to eliminate humans | Emerged from nature, target humanity |
Alien Invaders | Extraterrestrials arriving to clear Earth of humans | Appeared suddenly, psychic powers attuned against humans |
Conclusion
While the Bird Box creatures remain shrouded in mystery, their origin story offers rich ground for analysis. The few clues point to a malevolent, naturally occurring force that humanity was tragically unaware of. While we may never know the full truth, the creatures tap into the chilling horror of the unknown threats that could emerge from the vastness of nature to threaten our civilization. Their ambiguity allows viewers to project their own existential fears of unpreparedness against an unintelligible menace onto these deadly entities.