This Gunn family production (produced by James and written by his brothers, Brian and Mark) is a dark, clever, and shocking twist on modern superhero mythology.
Much like Superman, the title character of Brightburn mysteriously crashes on Earth and is discovered by two kind and loving parents (the excellent Elizabeth Banks and David Denman). Also like Superman, as the boy grows up, he realizes he’s not like all the other kids and can do things they can’t—like bend forks with his teeth or fly weightlessly in the sky. Not so much like Superman, the kid’s powers quickly go to his head and he decides to start crushing lowly humans like insects simply because he can.
Director David Yarovesky effectively builds suspense and atmosphere throughout the film, and also shows a great deal of promise for staging chaos before the camera. The film’s primary fault, however, is that it feels like it’s missing a first act.
The kid lands as a baby, then it cuts to twelve years later and he’s starting to act like a demon. Though Banks and Denman’s dedicated performances partially fill in the emotional gaps, it would have helped if the film had actually developed and shown us that innocent little boy they constantly reference throughout the film.
Faults aside, Brightburn is still a nasty and smart horror/superhero crossover that should please fans of either genre.
GRADE: B
