Bird Box is as much a character study as it is a post-apocalyptic thriller, examining the different ways in which people cope with the apparent end of the world. Early on in the movie, Malorie is deliberately paired up with Olympia so that audiences can bird box explained the contrast between the two pregnant women. Olympia openly admits that she is very soft, having been spoiled by her parents and then taken care of by her husband, without ever having really had to fend for herself. In contrast to Olympia's sweetness, compassion, and trusting nature, Malorie is much bird box explained hardened, having been raised by a bad father and forced to look out for herself from an early age. She is focused only on ensuring their survival, and clashes with Tom when he tries to give them hope by telling them a story about climbing a tree and finding a bird's nest at the top. She is angry at him for promising things she doesn't believe they'll ever get to enjoy, while Tom insists that simply surviving isn't the same bird box explained living. Related: The promised sanctuary is a symbol of this dilemma. While it represents hope for a better future, it also represents the risk of opening oneself up to betrayal. Bird Box makes it clear that the entities' disciples are clever, and will use all kinds of trickery in order to lure people out into the open. The radio call from Rick is deliberately ambiguous with several red flags, such as Rick asking for their location and asking if they have any children with them the disciples seem to have bird box explained particular fascination with children. Bird Box's ending ultimately demonstrates that Malorie's ruthless approach to survival is as dangerous as Olympia's naivete and compassion. When Girl wanders off in the woods, she is so afraid of Malorie that she almost succumbs to the entities, and it's not until Malorie embraces Tom's outlook of hope and optimism for the future that Girl is eventually returned to her. There's a deeper meaning to the revelation that the sanctuary is actually a school for the blind. It represents the power of blind faith - the kind of faith that Malorie had when she chose to take on the rapids with both herself and her children blindfolded. That was a decision that thrust them into danger, but ultimately they all survived - something that probably would not have happened if one of the children had been forced to look where they were going. Bird Box's ending perfectly summarizes the movie's upending of ideas about what constitutes weakness and what constitutes strength. Malorie thinks that to love openly is a weakness, but opening herself up to love is what saves her children. Similarly, blindness which is typically thought of as a handicap turns out to be the ultimate protection against the monsters. Not only are Rick and the other blind people immune to the effects of both suicide and madness, they're also especially well-prepared for a world where the ability to operate without sight is a key survival trait. Malorie's final acts in Bird Box - naming Olympia and Tom, sending them off to play with other children, and setting the birds free - represent her finally letting down the wall she has built up around herself. The birds in the bird box represent the way she has carefully kept her own feelings caged, and so the movie's final shot is an image of hope, openness, and faith that things will get better.
