BrightBurn

What if Superman was evil? What if he swore to destroy people instead of protecting them? “Brightburn” poses these questions and attempts to answer them.

The film begins by panning over many books dealing with infertility. We soon see a couple attempting to try again to have a child, when a seemingly erratic earthquake occurs and the lights go out. The story fast-forwards 10 years to the couple with a child. We learn that he came from a spacecraft, and the adoptive mother and father (Elizabeth Banks and David Denman) took the child and raised him as their own.

Everything seems perfect with this little family, but their son (played by Jackson A. Dunn) starts to behave uncharacteristically, and it’s causing concerns for his parents and others around him.

I found the acting to be mediocre and underwhelming. It appears that the actors relied a lot on the Superman angle and didn’t focus on the script at hand. They portray emotions based on what they expect the audience to feel aligned with the source material they’re trying to mimic. Consequently, the acting is flat and boring. There are no great performances; all are bland.

There are quite a few scary and gory scenes with graphic violence. There is also a lot of foul language, including blasphemy.

The film deals with mature themes, including infertility, the longing for a child, adoption to an extent, and pulling from the Superman-angle hero worship. Our society now has become obsessed with relative-truth, glorifying humans and ever-growing dog and animal worship. We have lost sight of our only Savior which is Jesus Christ. Act 4:12 says,

“…in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved.”

I do not recommend “Brightburn,” the story is not fully developed and the objectionable content does not help the film’s plot or consistency.

• Violence: Extreme— • various bloody scenes • murders • sketches of violent acts • dead bloody animals • girl struck with sharp broken glass in eye and face—pulls large glass shard out of eye slowly • jaw violently broken with gurgling after-effects • crushings • fall from great height • very impacts • collapsing building
• Profane language: Very Heavy— • Oh J*sus f***ing Chr*st • Oh J*sus Chr*st • Oh Chr*st • J*sus • G*d d*mn (3) • G*d (6) • damn (4) • h*ll (3)
• Vulgar/Crude language: Very Heavy— • f-words (20+) • s-words (19)—incl. “Stupid piece of sh*t,” “bullsh*t” • a** (2) • j*rk off • p*nis • p** • pervert
• Nudity: Minor— • teenage boy in a towel • shirtless teen boy
• Sex: Moderate— • foreplay of couple in bed, while talking about making a baby • reference to childhood sexual activity • kissing • mention of porn • father-son talk about puberty and being attracted to girl’s bodies • comments about masturbation
• Occult: None

Learn about DISCERNMENT—wisdom in making personal entertainment decisions

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.