The Box 2022

The curtain opens on Malorie Hayes (Sandra Bullock), a woman with an air of quiet determination, issuing a stern warning to two young companions, Boy (Julian Edwards) and Girl (Vivien Lyra Blair). Her words are laced with urgency as she emphasizes the gravity of their situation: they must venture forth without removing their blindfolds. As Malorie guides them along a string trail, her actions betray a sense of trepidation, hinting at the uncertain journey that lies ahead.

Five years prior, Malorie’s life was marked by creative expression and anticipation as she awaited the arrival of her child. Her sister Jessica (Sarah Paulson) paid a visit, drawing attention to Malorie’s latest art piece, which seemed to reflect a sense of disconnection. Jessica reassured her sibling that this would not be the case with the impending arrival of their new family member. Together, they watched a news report detailing unexplained mass suicides spreading from Siberia to Europe, leaving many bewildered.

As Malorie prepared for her doctor’s appointment, she engaged in light-hearted banter with Jessica about drinking during pregnancy. However, Dr. Lapham (Parminder Nagra) remained unfazed by their jests, offering an alternative solution: if Malorie felt unprepared to raise the child, they could consider adoption. As they departed the office, Malorie and Jessica noticed a previously composed individual now exhibiting erratic behavior, banging her head against a glass window. It became clear that whatever was afflicting individuals in Europe and Siberia had finally reached American shores.

As chaos erupted outside, with cars careening out of control down the street, Jess drove Malorie to safety. But as they navigated through the mayhem, Jess’s eyes took on an otherworldly hue, her expression twisted by a growing sense of terror. She became increasingly agitated behind the wheel, prompting Malorie to struggle for control. In a desperate attempt to escape the madness, Jess flipped the car, and it crashed. Although they managed to survive, Jess remained entranced, her eyes fixed on some unseen horror. As Malorie watched in helpless despair, her sister stepped into the path of an oncoming truck, her fate sealed in an instant.

As panic sets in, Malorie finds herself swept up in a chaotic rush of human activity before being knocked to the ground by the sheer force of the fleeing crowd. It’s Lydia (Rebecca Pidgeon) who dares to defy the chaos and rush to Malorie’s aid, only to be met with resistance from her husband Douglas (John Malkovich). Undeterred, Lydia takes a momentary pause to gaze heavenward as if communing with the spirits of the past. In that fleeting instant, she steps into the path of a burning vehicle, which promptly explodes in a spectacular display of pyrotechnics. Tom (Trevante Rhodes) intervenes, helping Malorie to her feet and leading the charge into the nearby abode. A cacophony of chaos ensues as they’re joined by Lucy (Rosa Salazar), Greg (BD Wong), Charlie (Lil Rel Howery), Felix (Machine Gun Kelly), Cheryl (Jackie Weaver), and a pair of hapless parents, Jason (Taylor Handley) and Samantha (Amy Gumenick), who are torn from their tranquil existence by the prospect of their child’s distressing predicament.

As the group huddles together in desperation, Charlie’s insightful observation suggests that the mysterious force may be an external manifestation of one’s innermost pain or deepest regret. The weight of this revelation settles upon them like a palpable shroud as they realize the entity is invisible and that its gaze can prove fatal. Malorie withdraws from the group, her thoughts consumed by the tragic fate of Jess, while Tom offers a comforting presence. Together, they seal off their sanctuary by boarding up doors and covering windows with newspapers, thereby sealing themselves off from the outside world.

In the present day, six hours have elapsed since Malorie’s party embarked upon its perilous journey down the river. As darkness descends, casting an impenetrable shroud over the waterway, Malorie attempts to broadcast a distress call into the void. But it’s not long before she begins to discern the entity’s whispers, echoing her name with an otherworldly persistence.

As the sun dips below the horizon, the survivors’ fragile sanctuary is breached when Olympia (Danielle Macdonald), a desperate and exhausted pregnant woman, pleads for entry into their refuge. Douglas attempts to bar her way, but Malorie’s instincts are piqued, and she swiftly seizes a rifle as a precautionary measure. With calculated caution, the group allows Olympia inside, only to discover that she too is with child. Greg volunteers to monitor the perimeter using the house’s surveillance systems, settling in front of the computers with an air of anticipation. His vigilance is rewarded when he appears to detect movement on the screens, and the others hasten upstairs just in time to witness his gruesome demise - a self-inflicted, fatal blow that sends shockwaves through their fragile ecosystem.

As night falls, Olympia’s attempts at conversation are met with Malorie’s rebuff, as the latter retreats into solitude, grappling with the weight of their uncertain future. The sound of footsteps echoes through the halls, and Malorie is convinced she hears a mysterious thumping noise, but her investigation reveals nothing more sinister than the clandestine trysts between Lucy and Felix.

Meanwhile, the relentless passage of time - measured in agonizing increments as they drift downstream - has brought them to the 14-hour mark on their perilous river journey. It is here that Malorie’s instincts are triggered once more, this time by a disembodied voice (Happy Anderson) promising safe harbor and an end to their terrors. But her trust is fleeting, as she orders her charges to remain blindfolded and prepares to defend herself against the mysterious stranger who would seek to strip them of their security. With calculated ferocity, Malorie fends off the attacker, ultimately dispatching him with a brutal machete strike that leaves his lifeless form drifting away on the dark waters.

As the group’s provisions dwindle, desperation sets in. Malorie, Tom, Douglas, Lucy, and Charlie gather to devise a plan to scavenge for sustenance at the local supermarket, where Charlie once worked. His insider knowledge proves invaluable as they navigate the treacherous journey, painting over windows and relying on GPS guidance to avoid potential hazards. The road ahead is fraught with danger, littered with lifeless bodies, which they try to ignore in an effort to stay focused.

The GPS suddenly springs to life, issuing a proximity alert that signals the entity’s presence closing in around them. Tom expertly maneuvers the vehicle out of harm’s way, and they finally arrive at the market, where they stockpile as much food as possible. Malorie takes notice of some birds flitting about outside and decides to bring them along as companions.

Just as the group is settling into their new surroundings, a chilling voice echoes from within the store’s freezer - that of Charlie’s former coworker, Fish Fingers (Matt Leonard), who begs for release. His pleas turn manic as he begins extolling the virtues of the entity, proclaiming it beautiful and worthy of admiration. Lucy, Tom, and Douglas struggle to subdue him, but Charlie sees the truth in Fish Fingers’ words and realizes his own mortality.

With a sense of resignation, Charlie charges towards Fish Fingers and secures them both inside the freezer, sacrificing himself to save the others. The sound of his labored breathing fades away as they shut the door behind him, leaving him to meet his fate. Even in death, Fish Fingers’ cries for freedom continue to echo through the freezer.

That night, a moment of poignant connection forms between Malorie and Douglas as they bond over their shared struggles. However, their respite is short-lived, as the sound of the car driving away sends them racing into the garage to discover that it’s vanished along with Lucy and Felix - two members who had seemingly gone missing in the chaos.

As the group stands amidst the uncertainty and desolation, the clock ticks forward, marking the passage of 24 hours since their harrowing ordeal on the river…

As Malorie momentarily pauses her relentless rowing, Boy’s fall from the boat serves as a jarring reminder of their precarious situation. With Boy safely back onboard, Malorie’s attention turns to rekindling warmth within him, though the lost supplies render her efforts all the more challenging. She reluctantly leaves the children to fend for themselves in the boat, venturing into the treacherous woods in search of sustenance. Her journey takes her to a foreboding structure, where an unsettling atmosphere and unseen forces conspire against her. As she fights to escape the entity’s grasp, Malorie finally manages to emerge from the building, though its lingering presence continues to unnerve her.

Meanwhile, as memories of Tom’s past linger, his bond with Malorie grows stronger. Shared experiences in a war-torn landscape forge an emotional connection between them, one that transcends their dire circumstances.

Back at the makeshift camp, Olympia’s decision to grant refuge to Gary (Tom Hollander), a desperate soul pursued by escaped mental patients, sparks a mixture of curiosity and hostility among the group. As they subject him to a grueling interrogation, Gary recounts his harrowing tale of survival, including the bizarre spectacle of individuals deliberately attempting to confront the creatures without the protection of blindfolds. Douglas’s skepticism toward Gary ultimately culminates in a tense standoff at gunpoint, only for Cheryl’s swift intervention to prevent violence and allow Gary to remain. Olympia’s apology for her actions is met with reassurances from Malorie, who also accepts Olympia’s poignant request to safeguard her baby should anything befall her. As a symbol of this promise, Olympia bestows upon the child a cherished Hello Kitty toy.

In this desperate bid for survival, 38 hours have passed since their journey began on the treacherous river.

As Girl clutches her Hello Kitty toy, a subtle indication of her connection to Olympia’s daughter, Malorie takes charge, enveloping herself and the children in a blanket of caution. With an air of trepidation, she warns them that the most perilous stretch of their journey lies ahead - the rapids. She implores them to remain vigilant, but ultimately decides that neither child should be sacrificed for the sake of navigation. Instead, she proposes a bold strategy: blindfolded bravery, where no one will dare look, and they’ll rely solely on instinct to guide them through the treacherous waters.

In the past, Malorie’s journey to motherhood becomes intertwined with Olympia’s, as both women face the pangs of labor. While Tom and Cheryl offer support, Gary becomes increasingly unhinged, frantically preparing his fellow travelers for the terrors that lurk outside. He takes Malorie’s beloved birds, stashing them in the fridge where they seem attuned to danger, before tearing off the window screens, a move Douglas observes with a mixture of fascination and trepidation. As Gary attempts to rid themselves of Douglas, Olympia gives birth to a girl, while Malorie welcomes a boy into the world.

Gary’s erratic behavior reaches new heights as he forces Cheryl to gaze upon the horrors outside, ultimately driving her to self-destruction with scissors. Douglas, armed with a rifle, hesitates to shoot, fearing accidental harm to Malorie and the newborns. In the chaos that ensues, Gary wounds Douglas before being dispatched by his own hand, courtesy of those very same scissors.

As the dust settles, we find ourselves five years removed from this harrowing episode, just as the film begins its narrative arc. Malorie and Tom have formed a life together, raising their two children in relative peace. However, Tom confronts Malorie about her emotional detachment from the kids, their names still unspoken. The tranquility is short-lived, as an unsettling discovery prompts them to prepare for the unknown: people venturing out into the world without the aid of blindfolds or window coverings. Malorie begins to set up a warning system outside, an eerie precursor to the perils that lie ahead for her family.

As night descends, a cryptic radio transmission from Rick pierces the darkness, guiding Malorie (Emotional intensity) and her wards towards a safe haven. With measured caution, Rick outlines the treacherous journey ahead, warning of unseen perils that threaten to claim their lives. His voice is laced with a sense of urgency as he implores them to follow the melodic chorus of birdsong, which will lead them to the promised land.

Tom’s (Unwavering conviction) determination to reach the compound clashes with Malorie’s (Pragmatic instincts) wariness, her mind racing with the possibility that this may be a trap. As they navigate this impasse, the survivors from their earlier encounters emerge, led by the enigmatic “Whistling Marauder” (David Dastmalchian). Tom’s resolve hardens as he confronts these interlopers, his blindfold firmly in place. A tense standoff ensues, with Tom’s (Brave determination) bravery ultimately claiming three lives before a single bullet finds its mark in his own flesh. The entity begins to exert its influence over Tom, but he battles against its insidious whispers long enough to exact justice on the marauder’s leader.

Forty-two hours have elapsed since their perilous odyssey began, and the rapids now loom ahead like an existential precipice. Malorie’s (Steely resolve) grip on reality begins to waver as they hurtle towards the turbulent waters. The boat capsizes, sending them tumbling into the abyss. Amidst the chaos, Boy (Vulnerable innocence) finds himself adrift in the churning currents, while Girl (Tenacious spirit) clings desperately to the shore, her bell tolling like a beacon of hope.

As they stumble through the treacherous terrain, the entity’s (Sinister whispers) malevolent presence closes in around them. Malorie’s unwavering willpower proves the decisive factor as she steers the children away from the abyss, their ears attuned to the soothing melody of birdsong. With a final burst of strength, they stumble towards the compound, only to find themselves encircled by the entity’s dark energies. It is then that someone - or something - opens the door, allowing them to enter this sanctuary and begin their uncertain journey anew.

As Malorie’s eyes are scrutinized, she and the children are granted clearance for entry into the mysterious compound. Her journey takes a dramatic turn when she encounters Rick (Pruitt Taylor Vince), an enigmatic figure who holds the secrets of this peculiar place. What unfolds is a revelation that challenges her perceptions: this sanctuary is, in fact, a school for the blind, where the inhabitants have developed a unique resilience to the malevolent entities that lurk outside.

With a sense of trepidation and wonder, Malorie and the children stumble upon Dr. Lapham, who warmly greets them with an air of familiarity. As they settle into their new surroundings, Olympia’s identity is finally revealed, christened after her mother in a poignant tribute to her heritage. Tom, meanwhile, finds a namesake among the ranks of this peculiar community.

As Malorie asserts her maternal authority, proudly declaring herself the mother of these two young souls, she also takes a moment to liberate the birds from their confines within the bird box. With an air of liberation, they join their fellow feathered friends in the sanctuary, symbolizing the release from the burdens of the outside world and the beginning of a new chapter for Malorie and her children within the walls of this extraordinary school for the blind.