🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Adam Mason
- Genre: Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi, Thriller
- Release year: 2020
- Runtime (length): 1h 24min
- IMDb rating: 4.8/10 (13K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 9%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
In the future, COVID is worse, but a delivery guy with natural immunity uses his bike skills to save his girlfriend from a dystopian ‘sanitation’ department, all while rich people sell immunity wristbands on the black market.
🍿 Songbird: Detailed Plot Synopsis
A World Ravaged by COVID-23
The film is set in 2024, four years into a global lockdown, where COVID-19 has mutated into the deadly COVID-23, boasting a 56% mortality rate. Society is fragmented, and the government has transitioned into a fascist police state. People are subjected to mandatory temperature checks via their cell phones, and those infected are forcibly removed to quarantine camps known as ‘Q-Zones’.

Nico and Sara’s Forbidden Love
Nico Price, portrayed by KJ Apa, is a motorbike courier who possesses immunity to the virus. He shares a virtual relationship with Sara Garcia, a young artist isolated in her apartment with her grandmother. Physical contact is forbidden, and their connection is limited to screens. Nico works for Lester, delivering packages to the wealthy elite, including the influential Griffin family.

A Race Against Time
When Sara’s grandmother displays symptoms of COVID-23, Nico vows to protect Sara from the dreaded ‘sanitation’ department. He uncovers a black market for immunity wristbands and becomes entangled in a dangerous web of deceit and corruption. As Sara faces imminent capture, Nico embarks on a desperate race against time to save her from the Q-Zone, a place where hope goes to die.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Nico (KJ Apa): An immune courier who risks everything to save his girlfriend from quarantine.
- Sara (Sofia Carson): A young artist living in quarantine, threatened by infection and separated from her loved one.
- William Griffin (Bradley Whitford): A wealthy and corrupt former executive involved in selling illegal immunity wristbands.
- Piper Griffin (Demi Moore): William’s wife, who is involved in the immunity wristband scheme but ultimately helps Nico.
- Emmett Harland (Peter Stormare): The ruthless head of the sanitation department who enforces quarantine measures.
- May (Alexandra Daddario): A singer who gets caught in the Griffins’ illegal activities and seeks refuge with Dozer.
- Dozer (Paul Walter Hauser): A disabled veteran and drone operator who assists Nico and develops a relationship with May.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Emmett Harland: “Curfew is now in effect. Stay Home. Stay Safe. Sane. Sanitize.” – Harland’s line encapsulates the oppressive, hyper-sanitized world of COVID-23.
- Nico: “I’m immune. I’m used to being alone.” – Highlights Nico’s isolation and willingness to risk everything for Sara.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $20,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $112,210
- Worldwide Gross: $620,836
💥 Songbird Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went into this expecting a thrilling pandemic movie, but it ended up being more of a sappy romance with a dystopian backdrop. The whole wristband thing was kinda silly, and honestly, I didn’t really connect with the main characters. I did find myself rooting for the singer May and the drone operator Dozer. Their story was way more interesting. Overall, it was okay, but not something I’d watch again.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of dystopian thrillers”
- “Viewers interested in pandemic-related themes”
- “Those who enjoy films with a romantic subplot amidst chaos”
- “Viewers who are interested in Science Fiction”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence and death related to a pandemic”
- “Scenes depicting a police state and martial law”
- “Some disturbing imagery and thematic elements”
- “Language”
Professional Reviews
- Variety: “Songbird tries to capitalize on current anxieties, but the underdeveloped characters and predictable plot make it a forgettable experience. The film’s attempts at social commentary are surface-level at best.
- The Hollywood Reporter: “Despite a talented cast, ‘Songbird’ fails to deliver a compelling narrative. The movie comes across as rushed and exploitative, failing to capture the emotional impact it aims for, it is well short of being a pulse-pounding thriller.
- IGN: “While the premise is timely, ‘Songbird’ suffers from a weak script and shaky camerawork that distracts from the story. The romance feels forced, and the villains are underdeveloped, resulting in a mediocre thriller.
Audience Reactions
Some viewers appreciated the movie’s message of hope amidst dark times.: Fans who enjoyed the movie found it relatable to the current pandemic situation.
Many viewers felt the movie was poorly executed and exploited the pandemic.: Many found the dialogue cheesy and the plot uninspired.
Overall Consensus: Mixed to negative. While some appreciated the timeliness and message, most found the plot weak, the characters underdeveloped, and the overall execution exploitative.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Songbird was one of the first films to begin production in Los Angeles after the COVID-19 pandemic shut down most film and television sets.”
- “SAG-AFTRA initially issued a ‘Do not work’ order on the film due to safety concerns, but it was rescinded the following day after production addressed the union’s concerns.”
- “Filming took place under strict COVID-19 safety protocols, which included regular testing, social distancing, and limited crew sizes.”
🖥️ How to Watch Songbird?
Songbird is currently available for purchase or rental on various platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services like Hulu or for cable on-demand options. Keep an eye on these platforms for potential inclusion in their subscription libraries.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Songbird, you might like these similar films:
- Contagion (2011): Shares the theme of a rapidly spreading virus and its impact on society.
- Outbreak (1995): Focuses on the scientific and governmental response to a deadly virus outbreak.
- I Am Legend (2007): Depicts a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a virus, with a lone survivor navigating a dangerous landscape.
🛒 Songbird Related Products
- Dystopian Future Cityscape Poster: A high-quality print depicting a dystopian Los Angeles, mirroring the movie’s setting. Perfect for fans of the genre and the film’s visual style.
- Pandemic Survival Strategy Guide: Lessons from Songbird: A fictional (and humorous) survival guide inspired by the film, providing tips and ‘strategies’ for navigating a COVID-23-like world.
- Courier Messenger Bag – Inspired by Songbird: A durable and stylish messenger bag similar to the one used by the main character, Nico. Perfect for everyday use or cosplay.
- Immunity Bracelet Prop Replica: A high-quality prop replica of the immunity bracelet featured in the film. A must-have for collectors and fans.
🎧 Soundtrack
Songbird features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Songbird is a fictional thriller inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic. While not based on a specific true story, it explores potential dystopian scenarios that could arise from prolonged lockdowns and viral mutations.
Songbird was filmed on location in Los Angeles, California, under strict COVID-19 safety protocols. This allowed the filmmakers to capture a realistic portrayal of a city under lockdown.
In the movie, a ‘Q-Zone’ refers to a quarantine zone or concentration camp where individuals infected with COVID-23 are forcibly detained. These zones are depicted as bleak and hopeless places with little chance of recovery.
🔥 Bonus Content
‘Songbird’ – Movie Predicts Very Bad Things in 2021-2024
Want a quick rundown of ‘Songbird’ without all the spoilers? This video gives you a great synopsis and review, laying out what the movie’s all about. Honestly, it’s a bit over the top, but definitely worth a watch to understand the premise!
SONGBIRD – The COVID Horror Movie No One Asked For | Explained
Ever wonder what the deal is with ‘Songbird’? This video breaks down the whole movie, explaining its themes and why it got the reaction it did. I think it’s a fascinating look at a controversial film, what do you think?
✨ Rate
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.