Brightburn was James Gunn‘s darkish tackle Superman. As you’ll be able to most likely inform by taking a look at my writer web page, I’ve talked fairly a bit about this superhero horror fusion of a film up to now. I delved deep, analyzing one of the best facets of this darkish superhero movie. I additionally defined why Brightburn sadly by no means had a real alternative on the field workplace (you’ll be able to thank The Avengers and The Boys for that). Given all that I’ve written in regards to the film, I assumed my time investigating the evil Brandon Breyer had come to a detailed.
After watching the most recent rendition of Superman, I observed one thing quite peculiar. A hefty plot machine from Gunn’s first big-screen foray into the brand new DCU felt strikingly acquainted. It seems that the evil Superman from six years in the past may need helped form this extra honorable comedian ebook model. Let’s begin with three phrases uttered by a malevolent object in Brightburn: “Take the world.” Consider it or not, that placing albeit quick sentence makes all of the distinction on this case.
You would very properly say that from inside Brightburn‘s twisted universe, the spaceship that crash-landed and inevitably launched this area child was from an evil model of Krypton. Carrying sinister intentions, the vessel’s message is deciphered, translated, and imprinted into younger Brandon’s thoughts whereas it rests within the barn. The 12-year-old then begins repeating the assertion again and again, till he erupts into what might solely be described as a flurry of unbridled chaos. Unleashing a savage warmth imaginative and prescient assault, he turns into the singular piece of destruction his dwelling planet at all times wished him to be.
A Darkish Message in Each ‘Brightburn’ and ‘Superman’
It’s this otherworldly piece of dialogue that not solely shifts the primary character’s trajectory but additionally raises the stakes of the whole film. In different phrases, a message that has an enduring affect. Though the end result differs, an identical narrative machine — this time framed in official DC lore — performs out in Superman. Followers hoping for a Brightburn sequel lastly acquired a glimpse of it, in a approach.
After Superman, Hawkgirl, and Mr. Terrific save Metropolis from a large kaiju, it is revealed that the long-distance message from Supes’ dad and mom (which he had been utilizing as a metaphorical beacon of sunshine up so far) was not solely launched to the general public however was additionally tampered with to place him in a foul mild. On account of Lex, the speech about defending the planet and holding the peace has been changed with certainly one of hate and destruction: “Do us proud, our beloved son. Rule with out mercy.” To not point out that in addition they say he ought to just about kill whoever will get in his approach. From inside the story, Lex Luthor inadvertently made this scene really feel rather a lot like Brightburn’s most haunting sequence.
It is fairly pure for Brightburn and 2025’s Superman to share some overlapping themes, as they derive from the identical supply materials. Orphan? Examine. Flight? Examine. Warmth-vision? Examine. There are much more similarities. Each movies characteristic a scene by which an intergalactic message is translated, prompting the primary character to behave in a sure approach (Brightburn going nuclear, Superman turning into depressed). On condition that the identical filmmaker wrote each titles, there’s undoubtedly extra overlap than meets the attention.
Technically talking, there’s nothing unsuitable with this. Ranging from a superhero’s authentic comedian ebook run (from the time they have been created), authors, administrators, and even followers have concocted their very own imaginative tales, incorporating parts they decide and select at their whim. This, then again, is a bit of totally different. Is Gunn already recycling plot factors? What does this imply for the remainder of the DCU? If something, this does construct upon my earlier idea that the route of the upcoming Clayface shall be impressed by The Substance.
Am I nitpicking? Positive. Am I connecting dots that do not actually matter? To some, possibly. However for all of the scrutiny that Warner Bros. places their different movies below, I’m shocked that no person over there went, “Wait a minute, Mr. Gunn…” Do not get me unsuitable, after greater than 10 years of following the MCU, I do need one thing totally different. But when what we’re doing right here is recycling outdated motion pictures and chasing traits, the second go on the DCU already does not really feel proper. Brightburn is streaming now on Starz.