Blindness

A mysterious epidemic of 'white blindness' sweeps through an unnamed city, plunging its inhabitants into chaos and forcing them into quarantine. As society breaks down, a small group of people, led by a doctor's wife who miraculously retains her sight, must navigate the terrifying new reality and fight for survival amidst moral decay and desperation.

Blindness received mixed to negative reviews from critics, who often found its bleak depiction of humanity and unrelenting grimness to be oppressive and gratuitously shocking. While some praised its ambition and the performances, many felt the film was unsuccessful in conveying a meaningful message, instead opting for nihilism and sensationalism.

• Despite strong performances, the film is often too bleak and graphic, offering little in the way of hope or nuance.

• Many critics found the story to be an overwrought and uncomfortable allegory that failed to resonate.

• Some viewers appreciated the daring premise and Meirelles's directorial style, but found the overall experience disturbing rather than profound.

Google audience: Audience reviews are largely negative, with many finding the film excessively violent, disturbing, and lacking in plot or character development. Some viewers felt it was a pointless exercise in shock value, while others appreciated its attempt to explore extreme human behavior.

Director Fernando Meirelles initially turned down the project multiple times due to the challenging and dark subject matter, only agreeing to direct after being convinced by the potential for a powerful allegory.