Brightburn

Brightburn takes the superhero origin story and flips it on its head with a sinister twist. It promises a dark exploration of potential turned malevolent, but not all elements land as intended.

A Boy with Dark Powers

In Brightburn, we follow Brandon Breyer (Jackson A. Dunn), a young boy with extraordinary powers who crash-lands on Earth. Instead of growing into the benevolent hero that tales of such children usually promise, Brandon becomes a terrifying force as he begins to explore his abilities. His adoptive parents, Tori (Elizabeth Banks) and Kyle (David Denman), are initially thrilled by their son's exceptional gifts, but soon realize that their son is not destined to save the world; he might just destroy it. The film poses a chilling question: what happens when superpowers are put in the hands of someone with malicious intent?

Promising Performances, Lacking Depth

Jackson A. Dunn delivers a striking performance as the eerie Brandon, effectively conveying a mixture of innocence and menace. Elizabeth Banks and David Denman do their best as concerned parents, but their characters often feel underwritten, leading to moments where their decisions may frustrate viewers. The supporting cast, including Matt Jones and Emmie Hunter, add depth but their characters often lack the development that could make the stakes feel higher. The film's focus on Brandon sometimes overshadows the emotional weight of the parental conflict, leaving much of the character exploration feeling one-dimensional.

Atmospheric Yet Uneven

David Yarovesky's direction attempts to craft a horror atmosphere with a mix of suspense and dark humor, but it occasionally lacks the cohesion needed to truly thrill. The visuals are competent, utilizing a mix of cinematography and special effects to portray Brandon's powers, yet they occasionally feel standard for the genre. The use of lighting to create tension is noticeable, but some scenes drag, making the pacing uneven. A tighter edit could have amplified the horror elements and improved the overall viewing experience, as some moments linger longer than necessary.

Thrills Mixed with Frustration

Watching Brightburn can be a mixed experience. There are moments of genuine tension, especially when Brandon's powers begin to manifest, but they are often marred by pacing issues that detract from the overall thrill. The film oscillates between intriguing premise and drawn-out sequences that feel like filler. A climactic moment intended to shock might leave some viewers rolling their eyes instead. The emotional stakes feel undermined by the underdeveloped parental roles and predictable plot points, leading to frustration rather than fear.