Brightburn 2019
Directed by
David Yarovesky
Made by
Screen Gems
Plot Summary
Discover the intricate plot of Brightburn (2019). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
Tori and Kyle Breyer, a couple longing to start a family, find themselves facing challenges with fertility. Their lives take an unexpected turn when a spaceship crashes in the woods, leading them to a mysterious baby boy they name Brandon. Initially, he seems to embody all their hopes and dreams as he grows into a remarkably bright child who eagerly assists around the farm. With the couple telling him he was adopted, everything appears perfect—until he reaches puberty.
As Brandon turns twelve, he undergoes startling changes. He often speaks in an alien tongue and frequently visits the barn where his spaceship is concealed. It’s during a seemingly mundane moment while mowing the lawn that he uncovers his extraordinary strength. On his birthday, his uncle Noah gifts him a rifle, but his father Kyle refuses to allow him to keep it, triggering a confrontation that results in the family leaving the diner in anger.
Brandon’s emotions intensify as he develops feelings for a classmate, Caitlyn. During a camping trip, he sneaks into her room, but a gym class encounter turns volatile when Caitlyn publicly humiliates him, leading to a physical altercation that leaves her injured. This sparks serious concerns, as Caitlyn’s mother, Erica, demands punishment for Brandon’s actions.
As he grapples with his identity, Brandon breaks into the barn, discovering the spaceship calling him. Upset by the deception from his adoptive parents, he tears apart family photos and expresses his animosity towards them. Seeking validation, he visits Caitlyn, revealing his “special” nature and spotlighting his desire to showcase his true self. With sinister intent, he masks himself and attacks Erica at the diner, leaving behind a gruesome scene that ignites a police investigation led by Sheriff Deever.
Tension mounts as Brandon shows his disturbing powers, telekinetically manipulating objects and inflicting horror on those around him. A hunting trip masquerade turns deadly when Kyle, in a desperate attempt to save his family, shoots Brandon in an effort to kill him—only for the boy to emerge unscathed, culminating in another violent confrontation.
Amidst chaos, Tori’s maternal instincts surface, believing there is still good within Brandon. However, as she tries to reach him, her intentions are met with brutal rejection. In a climactic moment, Brandon lifts Tori into the sky before dropping her from a deadly height, marking a turning point in their relationship.
In the aftermath of these tragic events, a massive airplane crash due to Brandon’s presence reveals the extent of his power and the chaos he has wrought. The film concludes with Brandon, seemingly innocent, being cared for in an ambulance, juxtaposed with news reports hinting at similar incidents across the globe, leaving audiences to ponder the true nature of his existence.
Timeline
Track the key events of Brightburn (2019) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Couple's Desire for Family
Tori and Kyle Breyer are a couple desperate to start a family but encounter difficulties with fertility. Their longing leads them to a pivotal moment that changes their lives forever.
The Crash
A spaceship crashes in the woods near Tori and Kyle's home, leading them to discover a mysterious baby boy. They take him in and name him Brandon, fulfilling their dreams of parenthood.
Brandon's Childhood
Brandon grows into a bright child who helps around the farm, making the Breyers proud. They tell him he was adopted, and life seems perfect until he reaches puberty.
Puberty and Change
As Brandon turns twelve, he starts speaking in an alien language and frequenting the barn where his spaceship is hidden. This marks the beginning of frightening transformations.
The Rifle Incident
On his birthday, Brandon receives a rifle from his uncle Noah. The moment escalates when Kyle refuses to let him keep the weapon, resulting in a heated argument that disrupts their family outing.
Conflict with Caitlyn
Brandon develops feelings for his classmate Caitlyn, leading to a camping trip where he sneaks into her room. A disastrous gym class encounter turns violent, marking a critical moment in Brandon's emotional turmoil.
Caitlyn's Injury
Following the altercation with Caitlyn, her mother demands accountability for Brandon's actions. This incident raises alarms about Brandon's behavior and his growing emotional instability.
Discovering the Truth
Brandon breaks into the barn and finds the spaceship calling him, leading to his fury over the lies told by Tori and Kyle. He destructively rips apart family photographs, expressing his growing alienation.
Attack on Erica
In a manifestation of his internal chaos, Brandon attacks Erica at the diner while masked. This violent incident leaves a shocking aftermath and leads to a police investigation led by Sheriff Deever.
Wielding Disturbing Powers
Brandon begins exhibiting frightening abilities, manipulating objects telekinetically to intimidate those around him. Each display of his power raises escalating fears in his community.
The Deadly Hunting Trip
During a hunting trip, Kyle attempts to protect his family by shooting Brandon. However, this attempt fails, and Brandon confronts him with terrifying consequences.
Tori's Maternal Instincts
Despite the chaos, Tori believes there is still good within her son. Her efforts to connect with Brandon are met with severe rejection, reflecting the depth of their fractured relationship.
Brandon's Climactic Act
In a pivotal moment, Brandon lifts Tori into the sky before letting her fall from a great height. This act signifies a complete break from his former identity as her son.
The Airplane Crash
Following the events surrounding Brandon, a massive airplane crash occurs as a result of his latent powers. This incident exposes the true extent of the chaos Brandon has caused.
Final Scene
The film concludes with Brandon appearing innocent as he is cared for in an ambulance amidst news reports of similar global incidents. This ending leaves audiences questioning the true nature of his existence.
Characters
Meet the characters that bring Brightburn (2019) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Brandon Breyer (Jackson A. Dunn)
Brandon is an outwardly charming but increasingly troubled young boy who discovers his extraordinary alien abilities during puberty. His character evolves from innocent and adorable to dark and menacing, reflecting the struggles of adolescence compounded by his hidden true nature. The conflict between his desire for acceptance and the chaos of his powers defines his tragic arc.
Tori Breyer (Elizabeth Banks)
Tori is a devoted mother grappling with her maternal instincts and the shocking transformation of her adopted son. Her character embodies the struggle between love and fear, ultimately facing devastating choices that test her resolve. Tori's journey reflects the theme of nurturing amidst overwhelming adversity.
Kyle Breyer (David Denman)
Kyle is a protective father who begins as a loving figure but becomes increasingly desperate as he confronts the horrifying reality of his son's abilities. His character arc highlights the tension between familial duty and survival instincts, culminating in a tragic confrontation with Brandon. Kyle’s journey reflects the lengths a parent will go to protect their family.
Caitlyn (Emmie Hunter)
Caitlyn is Brandon's classmate and the object of his infatuation. She represents the typical teenage social dynamics that become tumultuous due to Brandon's evolving character. Their interactions explore themes of acceptance and rejection, culminating in a pivotal moment that triggers Brandon's darker side.
Sheriff Deever (Gregory Alan Williams)
Sheriff Deever serves as the law figure trying to make sense of the chaos unfolding in the community. His character represents authority and the societal response to violence, grappling with the escalating threat that Brandon poses. He portrays the difficulty of managing fear in the face of inexplicable events.
Setting
Uncover the settings of Brightburn (2019), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
modern day
Set in modern times, the film explores contemporary themes such as the challenges of parenthood, the process of adolescence, and the emergence of extraordinary abilities. This time period highlights the contrast between everyday life and the superhero mythos, emphasizing the potential for darkness in seemingly innocent situations.
Location
farm, woods, diner
The story unfolds primarily in a rural setting, with a farm that symbolizes familial hopes and the innocence of childhood. The nearby woods are enigmatic, serving as a backdrop for the unusual spaceship crash that introduces the central conflict. The diner is a social hub where key confrontations occur, emphasizing the clash between normalcy and chaos.
Themes
Explore the core themes of Brightburn (2019). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
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Identity
The theme of identity is central to Brandon's journey as he grapples with being adopted and discovers his true origins. His struggle illustrates the conflict between his human upbringing and his alien nature, leading to violent manifestations of his inner turmoil. The film raises questions about what it means to belong and the quest for personal truth.
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Duality
The duality of good versus evil plays a crucial role in the narrative, particularly as Brandon oscillates between being the loving child and a terrifying force. This theme mirrors parental challenges in shaping their child's morality and the unforeseen consequences of their choices. Ultimately, it questions whether nature or nurture holds true power.
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Chaos
The film embodies chaos as Brandon's powers disrupt the peace of his small community. The series of violent events escalates tension, illustrating how one individual's struggle with identity can lead to widespread devastation. The climax portrays a society grappling with the fallout of extraordinary circumstances, leaving a trail of uncertainty.
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