White Bird, a sequel to 2017 Wonderhas set a digital release date. Directed by Marc Forster, the film expands the Wonder universe, which grossed US$315 million globally. While Wonder focused on Auggie Pullman’s challenges with Treacher Collins syndrome in a high school setting, White Bird shifts to a historical narrative centered on Auggie’s bully Julian (played by Bryce Gheisar), who visits his grandmother (Helen Mirren) in France after her expulsion from school and discovers her story of survival during the Nazi occupation of France in World War II .
After a limited theatrical run earlier this month, the digital VOD release delivers White Bird a renewed opportunity to connect with a domestic audience. According to Colliderthe film will be available at home from November 1st. Viewers will be able to rent or buy the film, which is based on the novel by Wonder author RJ Palácio.
For fans of:
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Historical dramas, such as The book thief and The boy in the striped pajamas
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Emotional family-oriented films (e.g. Wonder)
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Helen Mirren’s previous acclaimed roles such as The queen and Golda
Why You Should Watch White Bird
It’s an inspiring and moving story
White Bird takes the sincere themes of Wonder and explores them on a deeper, historically perceptive level. Mirren gives a powerful performance as Julian’s Grandmère as she recounts her harrowing experiences during World War II. Her character becomes a beacon of resilience, transforming Julian’s journey from from a troubled boy to someone learning vital lessons in kindness and humility.
The support White Bird The cast delivers strong performances, with talents such as Ariella Glaser as Sara Blum, who is the younger version of Grandmère, Orlando Schwerdt as Julien Beaumier and Gillian Anderson as Julien Beaumier’s mother. The cast stands out for contributing moving emotional depth to the characters’ realistic experiences. These performances help illuminate the themes of the narrative, making White Bird an attractive watch for anyone who likes emotional but sensitive films.
What Screen Rant said about White Bird:
Even so, the vast majority of the film explores the idea of finding hope in one of the darkest times in human history. The fact that Sara and Julian are so young and yet are forced to experience these world-changing events makes it easy to connect with them as their stories unfold. And although the cast of Wonder did not reprise their roles other than Gheisar, his and Mirren’s performances were highlights that accentuated the importance of Sara’s story in the modern day. This mix of periods helps to emphasize the generational lessons present in the story. – White Bird Review: Helen Mirren Leads a Predictable WWII Story Elevated by an Emotional Story
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Key White Bird Facts |
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Box office |
US$7.7 million |
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Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score |
73% |
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Rotten Tomatoes audience score |
99% |
5 Other Great Modern Dramas
- The zookeeper’s wife (2017)
- A beautiful day in the neighborhood (2019)
- Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)
- A monster calls (2016)
- The boy in the striped pajamas (2008)
Source: Collider