Screen Gems
Stage 6 Films
Troll Court Entertainment
Not part of a collection.
Brightburn
He's not here to save the world.
What if a child from another world crash-landed on Earth, but instead of becoming a hero to mankind, he proved to be something far more sinister?
- Original title
- Brightburn
- Language
- EN
- Country
- US
- Budget
- $6,000,000
- Revenue
- $33,224,654
Bri
Nov 26, 2025 · via TMDB
_**Brightburn** (2019)_ is _Smallville_ reimagined where a child from another world crashes into Earth and becomes the sun of a couple desperate for a child. The concept is very much similar to Superman as many have stated. But what if instead of Superman being the savior of humanity, he’s their end? The idea for this movie is great and I enjoyed watching it. The kills were gory and cringe worthy. I would’ve loved to see the script do more with the dark premise it based itself on. There are A LOT of inconsistencies in characterization and in the plot itself. The writing sometimes felt cookie cutter in areas, but I had fun watching this overall.
Gimly
Sep 3, 2019 · via TMDB
Given that the premise of the movie is pretty much entirely "What if Superman was a dick?" (something that has already been explored pretty thoroughly by DC themselves) I did not expect so much of the focus of the film to be taken up by the family dynamix inherent in the difficulties of parenting. A pretty mismarketed movie I think. Presented in trailers initially to be a sort of a twist on the superhero genre, and as we got closer to the release of the film, to be a Scary Supes movie, who _Brightburn_ should really be targetting is gorehounds, because it's their avenue in which it most excels. Neat sting at the credits though. _Final rating:★★★ - I liked it. Would personally recommend you give it a go._
Manuel São Bento
Aug 21, 2019 · via TMDB
If you enjoy reading my Spoiler-Free reviews, please follow my blog :) Brightburn is one of those few movies throughout the year that can grab everyone’s attention solely due to its premise. In a world where the superhero genre is oversaturated with almost a comic-book-based film each month, the Gunn family delivers an unique concept that I don’t think it was ever explored this way. “What if Superman was evil?” is an idea that can be developed through so many different ways, depending on the director and screenwriters’ approach. David Yarovesky clearly drew inspiration from Zack Snyder’s version (Man of Steel), and that’s where the movie is best: in exploring the vast and interesting possibilities that a screenplay like this can pursue. Usually, when someone writes something along the lines of “it felt like two movies”, it’s not a good sign. Brightburn is a dark, mysterious and suspenseful film during the first half, but then it pretty much transforms itself into a horror-slasher flick, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I firmly believe that no audience member (and I would even dare write critics as well) will leave the theater completely satisfied or entirely disappointed. If you expected the Gunn family to delve deep into Superman’s mythology and explore some twisty paths, they do rely on classic scenes to show how it all could have been if “Clark Kent” wasn’t a nice boy. If you were expecting a movie closer to the horror genre, the last half of the film offers some good sequences. However, that’s when the movie loses what made me go watch it in the first place. It’s a very short film and it ends in a way that leaves me wanting more. The big problem here is that it’s likely not going to get a sequel, and it could have easily added extra 20-30 minutes to deliver a more fulfilled story. Production-wise, having in mind its low budget, it looks remarkably great. Some good moments of gorgeous cinematography, and beautiful wide shots. The jump scare sequences of the second half aren’t nearly as effective as they could be, but at least the editing throughout the entire runtime is seamless. With a few more creative and entertaining scenes, Brightburn could have been a lot more menacing and scarier. I only remembered it was R-rated once the first bloody and quite violent moment occurs, and these specific moments are definitely eye-opening, gruesome and horrifying, even though it gets too over-the-top a couple of times. Elizabeth Banks (Tori Breyer) delivers a notable performance, as well as David Denman (Kyle Breyer). Their characters have a compelling backstory, and they actually have a well-developed script. They don’t make dumb or irrational decisions, like the generic horror characters that we all recognize. Jackson A. Dunn (Brandon) is pretty good as the evil Superman, even if his performance ends up being too monotonous for me. Looking at the overall feedback from both critics and audience, this seems to be part of those rare films each year which I enjoy a bit more than most people. All in all, Brightburn doesn’t take off powerfully like Superman, but it’s still able to fly for a bit. With good performances, remarkable production design, and an adequate use of its R-rating, the Gunn family delivers an incredibly captivating concept which is explored through an interesting yet unfulfilling screenplay. The second half turns the movie into a pure slasher flick, which might positively affect some viewers, but for me it took away what was really entertaining. The ending is just a taste of what the film could have been and it’s disappointing that it doesn’t explore its fantastic idea more in-depth, but the final feeling about the movie isn’t too bad either. Rating: B
Yinse
Aug 8, 2019 · via TMDB
Great concept, very gory, just did not live up to the hype.
EgorSushko
May 25, 2019 · via TMDB
Greatful film with good special effects, interesting story and cool cast. Superman vision of horror became best anti-superhero movie I have ever seen. But the movie has one big problem. There is no Sergey A. at the lead role. I think, that Sergey could be good lead character of this film.
MovieGuys
May 13, 2019 · via TMDB
Bad Superman What if superman was a bad guy? That's the premise Brightburn is built upon. To my mind its a more mature concept than the traditional good guy Superman. It makes sense on a certain level too. A superior being would inevitably assert its superiority over lesser beings. That's how evolution and predator/prey relationships tend to work. Whether you agree with my Darwinian assumptions or not, this is a decent horror sci fi film. There's a sense of the comfortable and familiar family dynamic being turned on its head. The innocent, much loved, adopted son, transformed into something so overwhelming powerful and ruthlessly destructive, that even his parents come to fear him. Its the abrupt contrast between these two realities, that makes this film genuinely unnerving.Helped in no small part by a clever climax, that underlines the fall from grace humanity faces, at the hands of this alien other. A decent watch I rate 7/10.
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
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Jackson A. Dunn
Brandon Breyer
Elizabeth Banks
Tori Breyer
David Denman
Kyle Breyer
Matt Jones
Noah McNichol
Meredith Hagner
Merilee McNichol
Becky Wahlstrom
Erica
Emmie Hunter
Caitlyn
Gregory Alan Williams
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Annie Humphrey
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Elizabeth Becka
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Steve Agee
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Stephen Blackehart
Travis
Mike Dunston
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Michael Rooker
The Big T
Brian Murray
Storyboard Artist
Bongani Mlambo
Camera Operator
Michael Dallatorre
Director of Photography
Riki LeCotey
Set Costumer
Chris Smallfield
CG Supervisor
Lonnie R. Smith Jr.
Stunt Coordinator
Gary Dauberman
Thanks
Jeremy Slater
Thanks
David Yarovesky
Director
Andrew S. Eisen
Editor
Rich Delia
Casting Director
Tara Feldstein Bennett
Casting Director
Simon Hatt
Executive Producer
Michael Woodruff
Location Manager
James Gunn
Producer
Bogdan Zavarzin
Foley Artist
Rustam Gimadiyev
Foley Mixer
Tim Williams
Original Music Composer
P.K. Hooker
Sound Designer
Tom Myers
Sound Re-Recording Mixer
P.K. Hooker
Supervising Sound Editor
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