‘Songbird‘ is a 2020 movie that takes inspiration from the Covid-19 virus and subsequent pandemic lockdown. It is directed by Adam Mason and produced by Michael Bay.

In the year 2024, the Covid-19 virus has evolved into another, more deadly strain Covid-23 that kills within twenty-four hours. The country is on perpetual lockdown, requiring every citizen to do a check via app, curfew, and if you fail to meet these requirements or are found to have been infected, you are taken to a “Q-Zones.” The only exceptions are “munis,” who have been proven to be immune. They are identified with a yellow tag. Nico Price (KJ Apa) is a courier working for Lester (Craig Robinson), who keeps track of his deliver personnel with the help of drone expert Michael Dozer (Paul Walter Hauser), a veteran who requires a wheelchair. Sara Garcia (Sofia Carson), Nico’s girlfriend, discovers her grandmother Lita (Elpidia Carrillo) has become infected. Knowing the Los Angeles “sanitation” department director Emmett Harland () will arrive to take them away, Nico desperately contacts William (Bradley Whitford) and Piper (Demi Moore), a wealthy couple rumored to sell counterfeit immunity bracelets. William is sneaking out and taking advantage of May (Alexandra Daddario), a YouTuber he promises fame. Wanting to keep their cash flow safe, Piper calls Harland to warn him, setting Nico on a race against time to save Sarah.

When this flick was first announced, several film commentators thought that it was insensitive to release while the lockdown and the pandemic was still going on. I have a contrarian opinion. While imperfect, this movie is a warning of what could happen to the American public.

One complaint I had with the movie is I felt it tried to touch on too much. Between the aspiring singer, the forlorn lovers, the elite, the government red tape, the family drama, and more, it was a lot to keep up with. Not to say that it was impossible, just a lot. Also, Nico runs into a conspiracy theorist who saves him from Harland’s men at one point and it was kind of out of the blue.

The actors all did a good job in their roles. While there was nothing spectacular, I could tell the filmmakers wanted actors who fit a certain bill for each character. This made everyone seem like the right choice for their parts and they all worked together nicely.

As a thriller, it definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat. The antagonists were all chilling in their behavior and you felt the dread. The protagonists were imperfect, but you could still cheer them on as they avoided the obstacles in their wake.

The movie’s main themes were what impressed me the most. It shows how the government has the potential to work with the elite to promote their interests. They lock up, entrap, or try to kill anyone who gets in their way, even when caught violating their rules. As such, the movie took with a risk of being a parable of what could happen if we let our freedoms slip away by those in authority. In the end, it paid off.

Bottom line, Songbird is an excellent thriller that is not only enjoyable to watch, but also carries a not-so-subtle look at what could happen if things go too far.

FAVORITE QUOTE: Curfew is now in effect. Stay Home. Stay Safe. Sane. Sanitize.

PARENTAL CONCERNS: Violence, Foul language, Disturbing images, Sexual content

Check out the trailer below:

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below. Tell me if there is a comic book, movie, or novel you would like me to review. While you are at it, check out my movie reviews of Boss Level and Zack Snyder’s Justice League. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more posts like this one.

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