Brightburn (2019)

Last updated:
October 4, 2025

Brightburn (2019) is a dark twist on the superhero genre, directed by David Yarovesky and produced by James Gunn, known for Guardians of the Galaxy. The movie reimagines the classic Superman origin story—but asks a chilling question: What if the child from another world didn’t become our savior, but our destroyer?

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

The Arrival: A Familiar Yet Sinister Beginning

The story begins in Brightburn, Kansas, where a couple, Tori (Elizabeth Banks) and Kyle Breyer (David Denman), are struggling to conceive. One night, a mysterious spaceship crashes near their farm, carrying a baby boy. They adopt him and name him Brandon.

The setup mirrors Superman’s story—an alien child raised by loving parents in rural America—but the similarities end there.

The Change: From Innocence to Darkness

As Brandon grows up, he’s a quiet, intelligent kid—until his 12th birthday. Suddenly, strange things start happening. He begins to hear voices calling him from the barn, where his ship is hidden. His parents have locked it away, but the ship seems to be influencing him, whispering in an alien language.

Brandon starts showing disturbing tendencies: breaking a classmate’s hand, stalking a girl he likes, and showing no empathy or remorse. He also discovers his superpowers—flight, super strength, and heat vision—but unlike Clark Kent, he uses them to harm rather than help.

The First Kill: The Cafe Scene

Brandon’s darkness fully emerges when he murders the mother of his classmate—an incredibly intense scene at the diner. Using his powers, he brutally kills her, marking the beginning of his violent spree. The film makes it clear: this is no hero’s journey.

The Parents’ Realization

Tori begins to suspect the truth about her son, while Kyle remains in denial. Eventually, Kyle takes Brandon on a hunting trip—planning to kill him with a rifle. But Brandon, now aware of his parents’ fear, easily stops the bullet and kills Kyle with his heat vision.

This marks the emotional and narrative breaking point—Brandon’s complete rejection of his human family.

Movie Ending

In the film’s final act, Tori tries one last time to save her son—or stop him. She lures Brandon into the barn and pretends to comfort him while secretly attempting to stab him with a shard of metal from his spaceship (the only thing that can hurt him).

But Brandon senses her betrayal and kills her in a heart-wrenching scene. Then, in one of the film’s most memorable moments, Brandon lifts the entire farmhouse into the sky and drops it—destroying all evidence of his crimes.

He flies off into the night as emergency responders and the media rush to the scene.

The movie ends with news reports showing Brandon causing worldwide chaos—crashing planes, destroying buildings, and killing thousands. The final moments show him hovering over a burning Earth, establishing himself not as a hero, but as a global threat.

This ending flips the superhero mythos entirely: the alien savior becomes humanity’s nightmare.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

Yes, Brightburn includes a mid-credits scene, not a traditional post-credits one. It features a conspiracy theorist (played by Michael Rooker) discussing a wave of new superhuman threats appearing across the globe. He mentions a “half-man, half-sea creature terrorizing the seas” and a “witch-like woman strangling people with her mind”—clear nods to a potential Brightburn universe similar to the Justice League, but twisted and evil.

However, no additional scene follows the full credits.

Type of Movie

Brightburn is a superhero horror film, blending science fiction and psychological thriller elements. It deconstructs the superhero archetype and explores nature versus nurture in a grim, violent tone.

Cast

Jackson A. Dunn as Brandon Breyer
Elizabeth Banks as Tori Breyer
David Denman as Kyle Breyer
Matt Jones as Noah McNichol
Meredith Hagner as Merilee McNichol
Gregory Alan Williams as Sheriff Deever

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Tim Williams, combining eerie electronic undertones with orchestral tension. The music mirrors Brandon’s descent into darkness—haunting, dissonant, and full of dread.

Filming Locations

The movie was filmed in Georgia, USA, specifically around Newnan and Coweta County, chosen for their small-town Midwestern feel. The setting evokes the American heartland—symbolic of safety, family, and traditional values—which contrasts sharply with the horror that unfolds.

Awards and Nominations

While Brightburn didn’t sweep major awards, it gained nominations and recognition at horror film festivals for its unique concept and visual effects. It remains a cult favorite among fans of dark superhero stories.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Producer James Gunn wanted to explore “the evil Superman” idea without making it feel like parody.
The red mask Brandon wears was inspired by tribal war masks and early comic-book villain designs.
Elizabeth Banks said her role as Tori was emotionally draining because it required “believing in your son while being terrified of him.”
Director David Yarovesky and James Gunn have been close friends since Guardians of the Galaxy; this collaboration was meant to explore a darker side of the superhero myth.

Inspirations and References

Brightburn is heavily inspired by Superman’s origin story, but twisted into a horror framework. It also draws from films like The Omen and Chronicle, and comic storylines like “Red Son” (where Superman lands in the Soviet Union instead of Kansas).

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

While no alternate ending has been released, early drafts reportedly included a longer scene showing the aftermath of Brandon’s worldwide attacks. Some deleted scenes focused on Tori’s attempts to reach her son emotionally before her death.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The film is not directly based on a book, but rather on an original screenplay by Brian Gunn and Mark Gunn. However, it’s deeply rooted in the mythology of Superman and subverts traditional comic book storytelling.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

The diner kill: A gruesome sequence where Brandon kills his classmate’s mother.
The barn confrontation: Tori’s heartbreaking attempt to stop her son.
The plane crash: Brandon orchestrates a horrifying act of mass murder.
The ending montage: Brandon becoming a global menace.

Iconic Quotes

Kyle: “He’s not our son.”
Tori: “Yes, he is.”
Brandon: “I’m special.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The alien language on Brandon’s spaceship loosely resembles Kryptonian script.
The “BB” logo Brandon draws resembles Superman’s “S” shield twisted into a lightning-bolt shape.
The red blanket Brandon wears as a cape directly references Superman’s iconic cape—but soaked in horror symbolism.

Trivia

The movie was originally pitched as “What if Superman was evil?”
Jackson A. Dunn was only 15 during filming but had to portray a character with chilling menace.
The production used practical effects for several kills, including the diner scene, for maximum realism.
A Brightburn sequel was discussed but has not been officially confirmed.

Why Watch?

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when power meets corruption, Brightburn offers a terrifying answer. It’s a refreshing break from traditional superhero tales—visually gripping, morally challenging, and unapologetically brutal.

Brightburn (2019)

Detailed Summary