BRIGHTBURN: A Twisted Take On The Superhero Genre
With the current trends of Hollywood, audiences could expect a superhero flick on a near-monthly basis, yet for being such a popular genre, we have yet to see the reverse take on what a superhero film could be. Writers Brian and Mark Gunn bring us exactly that, as Brightburn subverts the superhero genre and juxtaposes it with horror and slash.
Director Dave Yarovesky, who’s new to directing a full length feature, adequately captures an interesting tale that begs the question — what if a super-powered alien landed on Earth, and he chose to use his powers immorally? Elizabeth Banks (The Hunger Games, Slither), David Denman (The Office, 13 Hours), and Jackson Dunn star in this suspense-filled thriller that’s glued together by its performances and a unique premise.
Aliens and Kansas
Brightburn follows Kyle and Tori Breyer (played by Denman and Banks, respectively) and their adopted son, Brandon Breyer (Dunn), who is quickly portrayed as inhuman. Brandon Breyer’s story is a lot like Clark Kent’s of DC’s Superman comics — in fact, it’s hard not to compare the two, as parallels lie around every corner; instead of landing in Smallville, though, Brandon lands in Brightburn, Kansas, and instead of adopting altruistic values, Brandon becomes black-hearted as he falls to a sense of grandeur. The film captures Brandon’s descent into madness and truly feels like a super villain movie rather than a superhero one, and that’s what makes it so special.
Behind the Lens
A good story is only as good as the way it’s captured, and Elizabeth Banks and Dave Denman offer believably spectacular performances that help draw us into the bizarreness that is Brightburn. Even as Brandon portrays antisocial tendencies in the film, Banks creates a believable mother in denial, leaving the audience to feel for her rather than shake their heads in disapproval.
Although Jackson Dunn is young in his acting career, his performance as Brandon is truly chilling. As he jumps between an unconcerned demeanor and short bouts of rage, Dunn’s performance is sure to leave the audience cringing in all the right ways. When the cast comes together, their overall chemistry is enticing and uplifts the ominous nature of the film.
Where Superpowers Meet Horror
This movie is heavily inspired by the current age of superheroes in cinema, but in truth, it feels much more like a horror film with supernatural elements. Brightburn falls into this eclectic genre that doesn’t fall victim to too many clichés or tropes, and its presentation is as distinctive as its narrative.
Its script may be what stands out the most, but Brightburn is also host to some remarkable shots. The film was produced on a relatively low budget, but in most instances, cinematographer Michael Dallatorre does a great job at shaping the otherworldly essence of Brightburn — typically when capturing Brandon as his super-powered counterpart. Dunn was fantastic, but these dark and eerie overtones help to bring his performance to life.
By watching the trailer, you may wonder how Brightburn deserves its R-rating, and after the first half, you’ll absolutely see why. This film probably isn’t intended for the squeamish, and gracefully, its gruesome and grotesque elements aren’t a forced part of the story. The graphic nature of the film coincides with Brandon’s near-omnipotent power, and, as was with my case, it’s repulsiveness works because the film is so engaging.
Where it Falls Short
Brightburn is an entertaining experience, but it does suffer from a few things, particularly pacing and editing. Although it’s cohesive overall, the first and second acts of the film feel sloppily put together. The film jump-cuts at an awkward pace and doesn’t completely feel linear, and it’s not until Brandon’s arc progresses that the editing falls into place. I assume the filmmakers behind the movie were more concerned with the spectacle of Brandon’s power than with story development.
The editing then conflicts with the movie’s pacing to make the story feel rushed. There is a lot that needs to happen within a 90-minute timeframe, and it’s hard to fully grasp all that’s going on — it’s especially difficult to get behind Brandon’s motives. With a longer runtime or by fleshing out the script, Brightburn would have likely benefited tremendously.
Brightburn: Conclusion
The film’s issues may be irksome, but they’re not enough to weigh it completely down. Brightburn is a fun and thrilling experience that’s bolstered by a unique narrative and chilling performances. The film draws from the superhero and horror genres but ultimately falls into a category of its own, and I’m excited to see if something comes of similarly peculiar stories.
What did you think of Brightburn? Where do you think the superhero/horror genre is headed? Let us know in the comments below!
Brightburn was released in US on May 24, 2019 and will be released in the UK on June 19, 2019. For all international release dates, see here.
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