Brightburn (2019)

Brightburn takes a familiar, almost comforting superhero origin and turns it into a sharp little nightmare, the kind that makes you rethink how thin the line is between “gift” and “threat.” David Yarovesky keeps the vibe lean and mean—small-town calm, creeping dread, and sudden bursts of brutality—while Elizabeth Banks and David Denman ground the story in aching parental hope that curdles into fear. The film looks terrific for its size, with confident cinematography and effects that sell the impossible without winking, and it even slips in a streak of dark humor that makes the tension bite harder. It’s not for the squeamish or anyone wanting a traditional hero’s journey, but if you’re curious about horror that wears a cape-shaped shadow, this one delivers.

Brightburn is clearly trying to mash up a Superman-style origin story with nasty, mean-spirited horror, asking “what if the kid with powers was the monster?” That hook is strong, and there are a few memorably brutal set-pieces and a committed performance from Elizabeth Banks, but the film often feels like it’s coasting on the idea rather than building a smart story around it. Don’t expect clever world-building, sharp satire, or much character depth; it’s more a blunt, gory sprint from one shock to the next. If you want a tight, nasty little B-movie with superpowered violence, it’ll do the job, but if you’re hoping the premise gets explored with real wit or style, you may leave frustrated.