Firestarter

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Firestarter

R,

1984,

1h 53m,

Horror/

Sci-Fi/

Mystery & Thriller

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Watchlist

Watchlist

40%

35 Reviews

Tomatometer

53%

50,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

40%

Tomatometer

35 Reviews

53%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

As youths, Andy McGee and his future wife, Vicky, participated in secret experiments, allowing themselves to be subjected to mysterious medical tests. Years later, the couple's daughter, Charlie, begins to exhibit the ability of setting fires solely with her mind. This volatile talent makes the youngster extremely dangerous, and soon she becomes a target for the enigmatic agency known as "The Shop."

Critics Consensus

Firestarter's concept hews too closely to other known Stephen King adaptations, though it's got nice special effects (including scenery-chewing George C. Scott).

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Gary Arnold

Washington Post

Oct 17, 2017

Even before it begins laying waste to the reputations of cast members, "Firestarter" is promptly exposed as a derivative embarrassment of a conception.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Oct 23, 2004

2/4

The film's crucial flaw is the lack of a strong point to the story. A little girl has her dangerous power, some government agents want to examine her, others want to destroy her, and things catch on fire. That's about it.

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Sarah Vincent

Sarah G Vincent Views

Jun 9, 2024

“Firestarter” is at its best when Scott seizes central focus, and if people remember the movie fondly, his performance as the two-faced killer. We seamlessly see him as he truly is and as he wants Charlie to see him.

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Noah Berlatsky

Everything is Horrible (Substack)

Mar 17, 2023

At a time cinema movie screens are saturated with formulaic superheroing, it is intriguing to go back and watch a movie that so obviously didn’t get the memo about where superheroes are supposed to go, and how quickly.

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Jenn Adams

Rue Morgue Magazine

Feb 18, 2023

C

While FIRESTARTER has its problematic elements, the character of Rainbird alone could fuel many think pieces on appropriation and stereotyping, it is a story of female rage and patriarchal control.

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Cheryl Eddy

io9.com

Sep 14, 2022

Firestarter rests on the shoulders of Barrymore...It’s repetitive yet visually arresting, as Barrymore’s hair blows back, her eyes widen, and every adult around her begins to sweat profusely and panic.

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Hagrid S

Mar 4, 2019

This...is where the King films first hit the wall. Horrible everything: performances, screenplay, special effects. A remake could only improve things - the book is a fantastic "Don't trust the government." read, akin to "The Fury" and "Scanners". A fantastic story with a solid, satisfying ending.

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Albus W

Jul 26, 2018

Waited a long time to see this movie only to realize it's about a little girl who intensely concentrates on objects to engulf them with fire only to break out crying and say she's sorry over and over again.

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Ron R

Feb 12, 2018

Surprised that more people aren't talking out it's ties to Stranger Things. George C Scott does a good job of playing a creepy pedo.

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Anakin W

Feb 11, 2018

bored to death watching this psychic kid

Finn L

Nov 21, 2017

When "boring" is the first word that comes to your mind when trying to describe a film, something has gone wrong. This is one of the most boring films ever made, and yet is still in the top 20 Stephen King adaptations. We were excited to review this film for our podcast because of its ties to the Wilmington, North Carolina area, but were gradually deflated by the lackluster storytelling. Most mystifying of all is the failure of even George C. Scott to carry any of this movie.

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Ron W

Oct 13, 2017

An 80s safire that involves fatherly tough love towards a child that can light up his heart with an intense final battle sequence and a chilling musical score.

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Mark L. Lester

Director

David Keith

Andrew "Andy" McGee

Drew Barrymore

Charlene "Charlie" McGee

George C. Scott

John Rainbird

Freddie Jones

Doctor Joseph Wanless

Heather Locklear

Victoria "Vicky" Tomlinson McGee

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Synopsis

As youths, Andy McGee and his future wife, Vicky, participated in secret experiments, allowing themselves to be subjected to mysterious medical tests. Years later, the couple's daughter, Charlie, begins to exhibit the ability of setting fires solely with her mind. This volatile talent makes the youngster extremely dangerous, and soon she becomes a target for the enigmatic agency known as "The Shop."

Director: Mark L. Lester
Producer: Frank Capra Jr.
Screenwriter: Stanley Mann
Production Co: Universal Pictures, Dino de Laurentiis Corp.
Rating: R
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Runtime: 1h 53m

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