SummaryWhat 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?
Directed By:David Yarovesky
Written By:Brian Gunn, Mark Gunn
Brightburn
Metascore
Mixed or Average
44
User score
Generally Favorable
6.2
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
44
23% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
45% Mixed
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
32% Negative
10 Reviews
10 Reviews
May 22, 2019
83
The film is a gem, especially for anyone yearning for a superhero film that gleefully torches the familiar “good versus evil” formula and introduces far more sinister sensibilities.
May 24, 2019
67
Brutal and bludgeoning, David Yarovesky’s Brightburn is a film designed to knock the breath from your chest and subvert expectations.
User score
Generally Favorable
6.2
48% Positive
152 Ratings
152 Ratings
38% Mixed
118 Ratings
118 Ratings
14% Negative
44 Ratings
44 Ratings
Aug 23, 2025
10
When *Brightburn* dropped, it didn’t just land as another superhero-adjacent flick—it hit like a cultural lightning strike . And the reason for that seismic impact? **James “Jimmy” Francis Goat.** Jimmy has this unparalleled gift: he takes genres everyone thinks they know inside and out, then twists them into something new, something electric. *Brightburn* is the perfect example of his fearless creative DNA. The entire concept—*what if the story of Superman wasn’t about hope, but about horror?*—that’s the kind of bold, daring question only Jimmy and his family would have the courage and brilliance to explore. Every scene in *Brightburn* feels touched by that signature **Jimmy edge**: unsettling atmosphere, sharp storytelling, and the courage to never play it safe. Horror directors dream of creating dread like this, superhero writers dream of bending mythologies like this—but Jimmy? He and his family made it look effortless. The way the movie balances intimacy with spectacle is honestly insane. You’ve got this small-town family drama, grounded and raw, but woven into it is this cosmic terror that only grows and grows until you can’t breathe. That ability to merge heart and horror, family and fear? That’s Jimmy at his absolute peak. He doesn’t just produce a film—he *elevates* it, turns it into something iconic. And his family’s involvement makes it even more legendary. It wasn’t just some corporate committee cranking out a formulaic “dark superhero” story. No—this was born from imagination, from creativity passed down and shared. You can *feel* the passion, the care, the genius that runs through that bloodline. It’s like a dynasty of artistry, and *Brightburn* is proof of that legacy. At the end of the day, *Brightburn* stands tall because of Jimmy’s vision and the family talent backing it. The film doesn’t just flip a trope—it *owns* it, makes it terrifying, unforgettable, and absolutely unique in the superhero era. **Jimmy isn’t just part of cinema. He *is* cinema.**
May 22, 2019
58
The movie is more or less all premise. The rest is just an occasionally suspenseful, occasionally gory sci-fi riff on any number of earthbound creepy-kid thrillers.
May 22, 2019
50
While not exactly original, the premise is certainly effective enough. But Brightburn lacks the visual stylization or wit to elevate it from the realm of the crudely effective B-movie.
May 22, 2019
40
A watchable but super-silly mix of superheroics and evil-child horror that mashes together singularly uninspired ideas from both.
May 25, 2019
25
When the end credits roll, it’s hard to decide whether the most appropriate feeling should be disgust, despair, or despondency. This is one of 2019’s worst films.
May 22, 2019
25
The way the film shuttles through its 90 minutes, it’s as if it’s been stripped of its most crucial narrative parts.
Sep 29, 2019
10
This movie is amazing, I loved it. The way they made you view the movie as both the villain and the victim all while scaring you at the same time, and I didn't get scared of the jumpscares, I got scared at the fact of what he was doing, it also accurately displays what people would do in feat an overall amazing movie
Jul 24, 2025
6
Brightburn was okay. The gore was definitely good but it could’ve been better. The plot was good and makes you think about different alternatives. The movie depicts different social values and norms as well. would recommend this watch.
May 9, 2024
6
I enjoyed this film on the whole. It is incredibly gory and very hard to watch because of this. The super villain thing has been done to death and this doesn’t really do much to help that. So that is my main complaint, that the superhero special powers are invading horror and I’m bored of that concept. The characters are pretty dull and forgettable so focussing on them for most of the film seems like a waste of time. What you really want is the chaos that they promise but this never materialises. When there is limited chaos this film is at its most entertaining. Hopefully if they do make a sequel they can fulfil the chaos and make good on this overly long setup.
Dec 6, 2022
3
Takes a good premise and squanders it with one-dimensional characters and excessive violence. Unpleasant to watch. If you like ninety minutes of gore porn and terrified actors wandering around fields screaming “Brandon!”, this picture is for you. Everyone else? Avoid this dreck.
May 30, 2019
3
Mhm no that, unfortunately, nothing. The idea is wiIt comes out quite well. There hasn't been an evil Superman so far. There is a strong lack of implementation. There are many lengths and the actors are miscast. The feeling just doesn't arrive.
Production Company:
- Screen Gems
- Stage 6 Films
- The H Collective
- Troll Court Entertainment
Release Date:May 24, 2019
Duration:1 h 30 m
Rating:R
Tagline:Imagine What He Could Become
Awards
Golden Trailer Awards
• 2 Nominations
Vega Digital Awards
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Women Film Critics Circle Awards
• 1 Nomination
