‘Brightburn’ (2019) is clever Superman subversion (review)

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Whereas most comic book movies present at heroes or somewhat understandable villains, the David Yarovesky-directed 2019 superhero horror flick “Brightburn” differs. Instead, this clever subversion of the Superman origin story offers a chilling what-if scenario with one of the most haunting children since “The Omen” spawned Damien. Thought-provoking, well-acted, and a delightful horror-comic book mashup, “Brightburn” succeeds as a genre-defying experience.It’s 2006, and Kyle (David Denman) and Tori (Elizabeth Banks) Breyer, a young couple living in rural Brightburn, Kansas, struggle to have a child. However, when a spaceship plummets from the sky into the woods near their farmhouse, Tori and Kyle recover a baby boy from the wreckage. Adopting him as their own, the Breyer’s hide the alien craft in the cellar of their barn.

Flashforward 12 years, and their son, Brandon (Jackson A. Dunn) struggles to fit in at school. He’s eager, intelligent, and nearing puberty while, unbeknownst to himself of his parents, becoming keenly aware of his extraterrestrial nature. The spaceship which brought him to earth, thought dormant, awakens and begins communicating with Brandon. Soon, the Breyer boy discovers his superhuman strength and near invincibility. Afterward, Brandon begins acting strangely. When his uncle Noah (Matt Jones) and aunt Merilee (Meredith Hagner) give him a gun rifle for his birthday, his father Kyle confiscates it. Enraged, Brandon causes a scene at the restaurant.

While cleaning his room, Brandon’s parents discover magazines filled with lingere-clad women, leading to an assumption he’s merely grappling with the challenges of puberty. As such, Kyle plans a camping trip where he explains that it’s perfectly normal to feel sexual desires and act upon them, or masturbate. Unfortunately, Brandon misinterprets his father’s well-meaning advice and instead takes this as a message to use his alien superpowers to hide behind a curtain in his crush Caitlyn’s (Emmie Hunter) bedroom. However, Caitlyn notices Brandon lurking behind the curtain, and retaliates in gym class at school, setting Brandon off.

From the onset, the concept of subverting the Superman origin story remains clear, and works astonishingly well. Although comic book flicks with horror elements including “Blade” and “Spawn” exist, “Brightburn” successfully fuses both genres to delightful effect, and lends the vibe of a horror film with comic book elements. It’s haunting and exhilarating watching Brandon chew through the rural Brightburn, Kansas with ferocity.

Dunn shines as Brandon, playing the 12-year-old alien villain with a reserved yet commanding presence. Initially, there’s a nature versus nurture concept which “Brightburn” toys with, though any semblance of sympathy the viewer may hold quickly dissipates during the blood-soaked third act. Elizabeth Banks lends a tour de force performance as a distraught mother, initially too blinded with love to notice her child’s murderous tendencies, then too forgiving to abandon hope that he’ll repent.

Throughout the film, “Brightburn” provides just enough answers while posing questions to marvelously set up a fascinating universe. In a science class at the beginning of the movie, Brandon answers a question about the hive mind of bees which insinuates that his alien race operates on this unified consciousness as well. It’s unclear whether he was intentionally sent to Earth or accidentally crash landed. In this way, “Brightburn” is similar to John Carpenter classic “The Thing.” His origin and how he ended up on Earth remains a mystery, while his objective of laying waste to humanity is all too clear.

As the film progresses, it’s increasingly difficult to root for Brandon, and occasionally certain elements seem underdeveloped. For instance, there’s little to no exploration of Brandon’s origin, mission, and the nature or nurture question. Moreover, the Kyle and Tori appear as fairly kind, caring, and attentive parents. It’s “Brightburn’s” failure to probe the demon child concept which slightly disappoints. Ultimately, its fascinating premise devolves into cheap slasher territory.

Nevertheless, compelling performances from Dunn and Banks, plus solid world-building, and a villanious Superman adaptation overcome minor flaws. “Brightburn” concludes with a shocking ending which provides a breath of fresh air for the genre.