Powder (1995)
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A young albino man with a powerful electromagnetic brain and supernatural abilities navigates a world that fears his unique existence.
The story
Jeremy "Powder" Reed is a young albino man with an incredible intellect and a brain that generates a powerful electromagnetic charge, causing electrical objects to malfunction and preventing hair growth. After his grandfather passes away, Jeremy is taken from his secluded farm and placed in a state-run home. He is eventually enrolled in high school where he meets a physics teacher who recognizes his supernatural abilities. While his powers mark him as special, they also make him a target of suspicion and hostility from those who do not understand his condition.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Jeremy "Powder" Reed, an albino man with a powerful electromagnetic brain, is moved from his secluded farm to a state-run home after his grandfather's death. At his new high school, he meets physics teacher Donald Ripley, who recognizes his high IQ and supernatural abilities. During a hunting trip, Jeremy's powers are revealed when he shares the sensations of a dying deer with a sheriff's deputy. He later helps a sheriff communicate with his dying wife through telepathy. Despite finding a romantic interest in Lindsey Kelloway, his isolation remains. After a violent confrontation with a bully named John Box, where Jeremy's electromagnetic pulse causes a massive discharge, he returns to his farm. There, he is joined by his friends but ultimately disappears in a blinding flash of light after being struck by a lightning bolt.
- First release year
- 1995
- Runtime (minutes)
- 111
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Victor Salva
- Writers
- Victor Salva · writer
- Cast and characters
- Mary Steenburgen; Sean Patrick Flanery · Jeremy "Powder" Reed; Lance Henriksen; Jeff Goldblum
- Genres
- science fantasy; drama
- Themes
- isolation; otherness; connection
- Tone and mood
- serious; supernatural
- Premise and plot tags
- albino; supernatural; electromagnetism
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics but was a commercial success, grossing over three times its production budget.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 50% · review count: 20
- Production trivia
- The film's score was composed by Jerry Goldsmith.; The production was controversial due to the director's prior conviction.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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