Brightburn is a 2019 superhero horror film directed by David Yarovesky, starring Elizabeth Banks, David Deman, Jackson A. Dunn, Matt Jones, and Meredith Hagner. The film follows Brandon Breyer (Dunn), a young boy of extraterrestrial origin, who learns he superpowers and after being brainwashed by the ship he arrived in, begins terrorizing his hometown.

We’ve seen stories where Superman turns evil (or at least is a total dick) but Brightburn takes us in a new direction. It’s a slow burn allowing us to check out the characters and Brandon’s descent to the dark side. Some people could find fault with the pacing but I think it works. It builds tension as the story progresses and despite the rising stakes , it feels personal, especially focusing on the relationship between Brandon and his mother Tori. I liked the ending and how the shit hit the fan and how people died. Tragic ending. And I like how it ends off on a possible sequel. There’s a subplot with Brandon’s crush on fellow student Caitlyn but the film fails to flesh it out enough. (4 out of 5)

The characters are good, likable, relatable and feel like actual people. The main protagonist is Brandon who discovers that he’s a superpowered alien who crashed on Earth and was adopted by Tori and Kyle. He slowly becomes influenced by his spaceship causing his descent into villainy. Tori and Kyle are great characters and you feel for them as the story progresses. I liked Brandon’s school crush Caitlyn, Sheriff Deever, bully Royce, and Tori’s sister Merilee. I liked the supporting characters but I wished they were more included. Films like this show stakes by having interesting characters being affected by this event however, I feel it doesn’t involve them enough. (4 out of 5)

Thumbs up to the performances by the cast. I really liked Jackson A. Dunn as the lead and thought he did a good job with the role. I really liked Elizabeth Banks who I think sells the role. She’s become a favorite of mine and it was good seeing her in a role like this. David Denman plays her onscreen husband Kyle. I really the chemistry between Banks and Denman. The supporting cast does a really good job and gives convincing performances which includes and Gregory Alan Willaims, Matt Jones, Meredith Hagner. So the acting is pretty good. (4 out of 5)

Gotta love how well the special effects were utilized here. It’s reserved and utilizes clever camera shots to help minimize the special effects while making them that much more effective. This makes the use of Brandon’s abilities subtle and when it’s shown that much more impactful. The blood and gore is used effectively. There’s a scene where Brandon kills a cop by flying into him and causing him to explode from the force. The shot’s quick, messy, and well shot. When not focusing on the superpower aspect of it, the cinematography does a good job of focusing on the beauty of the forest scape, town, and good shots of the house. Really liked Brandon’s costume. It’s dark and creepy and has an alien feel to it. (4 out of 5)

I have to admit that I really enjoyed the music. When Brandon is doing his thing and the horror aspect takes over the music is dark, booming, and creepy. It’s got that old school horror vibe to it but how Timothy Williams works it makes it more impactful. I’ve liked a lot of Williams’ works. he was involved in some of my favorite films including 300 (2006), Doomsday (2008), Watchmen (2009), It (2017), Get Out (2017), and more. (4 out of 5)

There’s a lot about the direction of this film that I can appreciate. I’m new to director David Yarovesky and I think when it comes to the superhero horror aspect he does a good job of steering the film in a good direction. Not only does he show he knows how to tell an interesting story but he’s good with the actors. I didn’t really have an issue with the writing, though like many other viewers I believe the film doesn’t reach its full potential. It’s good that the movie focuses on this family but I believe it would’ve benefited had it taken in more of the town. I like how well the characters are written and after watching Smallville Brightburn does a good job of mirroring it. The direction is solid and with the writing and editing makes this an enjoyable watch.

I do feel that the writing would’ve benefited more if Brandon’s powers tempted him to do bad things rather than him being brainwashed by the ship. I also think the inclusion of more of the townsfolk would’ve shown more of his descent and given us more deaths. The two most significant deaths are Sheriff Deever and Deputy Aryes, which thought worked. And I would’ve liked more of a relationship between Brandon and Caitlyn. Perhaps Caitlyn would’ve worked better as his girlfriend who watches him descend to this dark side. I think it would’ve helped to flesh her character out a bit more and given Brandon more reason to fight for his humanity. But overall, I did enjoy the writing and direction. (4 out of 5)

In the end, Brightburn is one of those movies that might not completely tear down the walls of mediocracy but it definitely gets the ball rolling. There’s definitely more good than bad in this film and for those who like the mythology of Superman, I think this would be an interesting watch. But as a horror film it’s solid. It’s got good characters, cast and acting, story, special effects, and direction. Brightburn gets 4 out of 5.