Superhero horror gets a startling, subversive twist with the film Brightburn
In the world of film, the superhero genre has been a staple for many years. However, the horror movie "Brightburn" offers a fresh and terrifying twist on this popular theme. Directed by David Yarovesky, the film delves into the question of what would happen if a child from another world, instead of becoming a hero, proved to be something sinister.
Yarovesky, who has a background in horror, sought to create a horror take on the superhero genre, closer to his personal vision. The script for "Brightburn" was initially written to be made on a micro-budget, but was later encouraged to be made as a grander, unrelenting horror film.
The idea for the film originated with cousins Brian Gunn and Mark Gunn, who have worked together for nearly 20 years on various movie and TV projects. Brian Gunn is the younger brother of James Gunn, the filmmaker of "Guardians of the Galaxy". James Gunn, who has experience in lower-budget filmmaking and blockbuster storytelling, felt "Brightburn" was the perfect project for his production company, Troll Court.
Brandon, the character in "Brightburn", was inspired by slasher movie icons from films like John Carpenter's "Halloween". Yarovesky envisioned Brandon as a terrifying figure, with one image in particular standing out - a long distance shot of Brandon watching someone silently from afar, similar to Michael Myers. Yarovesky also imagined Brandon floating out of a window, which he believed would be scary if it could elicit fear in a superhero character.
James Gunn praises Yarovesky's understanding of horror and ability to create jump scares. Yarovesky's goal was to make "Brightburn" a truly scary film. The film is an entirely new take on the superhero genre, coming at it from a pure horror angle.
The Gunns have transitioned from television into film and are currently working on film projects for New Line, Universal, and Fox, as well as TV projects for Amazon and CBS. Yarovesky grew up imagining superpowers as darker than portrayed in movies, and this darker vision is evident in "Brightburn". The film is intended to be a more honest way of approaching the superhero myth, as it explores the terrifying idea of a super-powered alien coming to Earth.
In conclusion, "Brightburn" offers a refreshing and terrifying take on the superhero genre. With its strong horror elements and a sinister protagonist, the film is sure to leave audiences on the edge of their seats.
