If you’re fatigued from the ubiquity of superhero films these days and want to see something fresh roll into movie theaters, then allow Brightburn to reinvigorate you.

Produced by Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn, and written by brother Brian Gunn and cousin Mark Gunn, director David Yarovesky’s new superhero horror movie is filled to the brim with references to classic comic book story arcs and subversions of them. Given the creative minds behind it — and an almost direct cribbing from DC Comics superhero Superman’s life — we have to wonder: Is BrightBurn actually a Superman origin story? Or is there something more to this tale that makes it wholly its own thing?

Between the synopsis for the film and the trailer (which you can watch below), the Superman connections are obvious. The film begins with Tori and Kyle Breyer (played by Elizabeth Banks and David Denman), a childless couple living in a big farmhouse in rural Brightburn, Kansas. One night, as if a prayer were being answered, a vehicle crash-lands on the Breyer’s property. Tori discovers a baby, wrapped in a red blanket, and convinced Kyle they should take him in.

As seen in the trailer, it becomes clear that the Breyers’ son, now named Brandon (Jackson A. Dunn), is different — similar to how a young Clark Kent was to the other kids in Smallville. Around the age of 12, Brandon soon discovers he is not like the other children. He has super strength; he can’t be injured by things like lawnmower blades. Like Superman, he has laser-vision, and — also like Supes — he can fly.

Brandon quickly embraces his powers and begins to craft a superhero persona. But as he uses his powers more and more, it becomes clear that Brandon’s intentions are much darker than anyone might have guessed. Definitely way darker than the Man of Steel’s ever were. 

You might be thinking that this is probably a coincidence because how many truly original superhero origin stories can there be? But if we break it all down, it’s hard to deny that the Brightburn-Superman connection is too strong to be ignored.

The Two Arrive On Earth In The Exact. Same. Way.

As previously mentioned, Brandon is discovered in a spacecraft that has crashed on the Breyers’ property. The couple swaddles him in a blanket, just like Jonathan and Martha Kent do for little Kal-El. There is no explanation for why he was put in the spacecraft, or any reveal as to where he came from or why Earth was his final destination. All the Breyers know is, like the Kents, this boy is a miracle. He is “here for a reason.” An answer to their prayers for a child. 

But, unlike Superman, Brandon has a very different reaction to his superpowers when they start manifesting during childhood…

They Have Very Similar Childhoods 

(Credit: Sony)

Superman’s special abilities were apparent to the Kents from the minute they took him in. Understanding that he was truly not like other human children and that he needed to be kept secret and safe from any possible scrutiny, the Kents tried to give their boy as “normal” a life as they could. In doing so, Pa Kent emphasized the importance of using his powers wisely. If he didn’t, then things could go to a bad place quickly. 

Brightburn takes the “What if?” approach to this aspect of Superman’s origins and explores, with bloody and scary results, what would happen if a young alien boy decided to exploit his powers and use them for his own rash, impulsive purposes. What if someone with the powers of a hero used them for evil? Brandon tries to understand his powers, but he ultimately finds more use for them in a villainous capacity instead of “fighting for truth, justice, and the American Way.” Like Superman, one of Brandon’s earliest “heroic” acts is bringing a struggling airplane down safely back to earth. Unlike Superman, however, Brandon’s crashing plane doesn’t have the best or safest of landings, which soon raises suspicions about the boy’s intentions. 

Brandon and Superman’s power sets are virtually identical. But Brandon lacked what Kal-El had in abundance: An internal moral compass that helped him know when and how and why to use these powers for the greater good. For helping people. Brightburn succeeds largely on the questions it asks with its familiar premise: What if a child discovered these powers without ever really learning that they are not a toy? That they’re not something that can be exploited? What if Superman had a sadistic streak?

Superman would never give in to the impulse to use his super strength to get back at bullies for bullying him. Brandon, though? Not so much. Tormenting his tormentors quickly escalates to straight-up murdering adults and that’s when Brightburn takes a turn that is both sinister and, at times, tragic.

So, What Does This All Mean?

Although Brightburn never mentions anything about Superman or the Kents directly, the parallels between the stories are impossible to ignore. And that feels very intentional. 

That shorthand allows the audience to invest with and connect to the R-rated Superman movie being presented. Brightburn is not part of the DC film or comics canons, but it certainly feels at home there. Albeit the more horrific, twisted take on the classic Superman story. 

Get your tickets for Brightburn here.

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