Brightburn (2019)
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A dark retelling of the Superman origin story features a boy of extraterrestrial origin who uses his newly discovered superpowers to cause destruction rather than to save lives.
The story
After a spaceship crashes in a forest in Brightburn, Kansas, a couple struggling with infertility finds a baby inside and adopts him, naming him Brandon. On his twelfth birthday, Brandon discovers he possesses super-strength and flight abilities. While he appears to be an academically exceptional but introverted student, his burgeoning powers and the mysterious nature of his origin begin to manifest. After a confrontation at school leads to a physical altercation, Brandon's internal struggle with his identity and the alien technology of his origin begins to escalate, leading him to embrace a darker path as he begins to act on his burgeoning abilities.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
After a spaceship crashes in Brightburn, Kansas, a couple adopts the infant found inside, naming him Brandon. On his 12th birthday, Brandon discovers he has super-strength and flight. Following a school incident where he injures a classmate, his mother's friend Erika tries to have him arrested. That night, the spaceship emits a message that causes Brandon to embrace his alien heritage and his 'evil identity.' He begins a spree of violence, murdering Erika at a diner and his uncle, Noah, after a confrontation. His parents, Kyle and Tori, eventually discover his involvement. During a hunting trip, Kyle is killed by Brandon's heat vision. Tori later finds Brandon's notebook and the message 'Take the world.' When Brandon attacks their home, Tori attempts to reach his 'good side' but is ultimately betrayed by him; he sends her into the stratosphere. The film ends with a plane crashing into the farmhouse, destroying evidence, while news reports suggest the existence of other superpowered beings.
- First release year
- 2019
- Runtime (minutes)
- 90
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- David Yarovesky
- Writers
- Brian Gunn · writer; Mark Gunn · writer
- Genres
- superhero horror; science fiction horror; superhero; horror thriller; black comedy
- Themes
- Identity; Alienation
- Tone and mood
- Dark; Somber; Suspenseful
- Premise and plot tags
- Superhero; Horror; Subversion; Alien
- Source material / true-story basis
- Superman
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its visual effects, acting performances, cinematography, humor, and score, but felt that it did not deliver on the full potential of its premise.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 44 · scale: 100 · review count: 31; PostTrak · score: 2.5 · scale: 5
- Production trivia
- The film was originally titled 'Untitled James Gunn Horror Project'.; The middle school scenes were filmed at the same location used for Hawkins Middle and Hawkins High Schools in Stranger Things.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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