Brightburn Review: No Hero

By Nolan P. Smith

The story of Superman’s origin is one we all know and love: a visitor from another planet is found as a baby in a rural part of Kansas, raised by a hardworking couple, becoming one of the world’s most beloved and respected superheroes. Brightburn gives us a twisted, opposite version of the superpowered alien, one that doesn’t embody truth, justice, and the American way.

From director David Yarovesky and producer James Gunn, known for his intergalactic superheroic films dedicated to the Guardians of the Galaxy. Brandon Breyer (Jackson A. Dunn) is a young boy that has always felt out of place. But it’s around the time he hits puberty that things start to change, in more ways than one. He begins developing powers and hearing a voice call to him from his parent’s barn. When he finally learns the truth, he goes down a downward spiral that could spell the beginning of the end of humanity.

Elizabeth Banks and David Denman play the Breyers, Brenden’s loving parents who try their best to help their son. They, along with the entire cast, do a fantastic job in creating this funhouse version of one of the most loved superheroes. Dunn portrays the would be evil super boy perfectly, and the moments we see are moments comic book fans have wondered about for decades. “If Superman was evil, he could use his heat vision to…”, Is one of the moments we see, with gruesome results. The violence factor cannot be stated enough: this is not a movie for kids.

This is a horror-superhero flick that answers questions DC never would on the big screen, with hints that a sequel would be in a league of its own. Brightburn indeed burns bright, and is one of the darkest looks into the world of superheroes and done executed exceptionally well. I highly recommend it, just not for the kids.

Rating: 9.0 out of 10