Brain on Fire

PG-13

2016

1h 35m

Biography

Drama

TRAILER

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List

13%

Tomatometer

16 Reviews

67%

Audience Score

500+ Ratings

Susannah Cahalan, an up-and-coming journalist at the New York Post becomes plagued by voices in her head and seizures. As weeks progress and Susannah quickly moves deeper into insanity, her behaviors shift from violence to catatonia. After a series of tantrums, misdiagnoses, and a lengthy hospital stay, a doctor's last-minute intervention enables him to give her a diagnosis and a chance to rebuild her life.

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David Rooney

Hollywood Reporter

We watch Chloe Grace Moretz's epic meltdown from a bored distance, until the drama remembers its lost calling as a disease-of-the-week movie. At that point, we receive the abrupt news of a cure with an indifferent shrug.

Sep 19, 2016

Full Review

Wendy Ide

Screen International

Despite the fact that Susannah eventually manages to claw her way back from the brink of madness, this is a downbeat slog of a film which tells a not particularly involving story.

Sep 19, 2016

Full Review

Peter Debruge

Variety

It's the sort of role for which the Razzies were invented, and what little audience it finds will almost certainly be heckling as they watch Moretz implode.

Sep 18, 2016

Full Review

Alec Bojalad

Den of Geek

Brain on Fire is like a virus itself, trying to infect an otherwise interest story with its own mediocre movie clichés.

Rated: 2.5/5

Mar 1, 2019

Full Review

Renee Schonfeld

Common Sense Media

Brain condition ravages young reporter's life; swearing.

Rated: 2/5

Jun 27, 2018

Full Review

Kahron Spearman

The Daily Dot

Despite its best efforts... Brain on Fire is a 90-minute shrug.

Jun 27, 2018

Full Review

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Audience Member

Who are these “ critics “ , they should find other things to do because their comments are insanely wrong !!, this movie is based on real life and as far as I am concerned was very well acted , the movie I enjoyed , definitely a must watch movie and it has a feel good factor , especially when they diagnoses was found by the DR , Charlize Theron directed this movie and it has a great cast of actors too !

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/21/24

Full Review

K C

This film is so beautifully done, it is a brave thing to make something so vulnerable. It helps people understand the feeling of being misunderstood, especially in a medical setting. It may not be for everyone, because it's quite heavy in certain areas, but if you can watch this you should.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/20/23

Full Review

Arieana s

I liked this movie because despite the things happening to Susannah (Main character) her boyfriend had stayed with her and when everyone figured out what was going on with her she got better, I also like this movie because it brings more attention to real, rare diseases.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/12/23

Full Review

Moody C

Critics seem way too harsh. I was entertained and acting was top notch. This is based on a true story that bring to light a medical condition and also teaches that even if doctors give up, you shouldn't and shud seek 2nd opinion

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/01/23

Full Review

Patricia P

Critics are crazy! This movie is amazing. I recommend it

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/25/23

Full Review

Jonathan L

Good enough. What the movie lacks in complex story it makes up for with powerful performance from the cast, mainly the lead. Also I appreciate the accuracy put towards portraying the illness. 64/100

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/26/23

Full Review

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Gerard Barrett

Director

Chloë Grace Moretz

Susannah Cahalan

Thomas Mann

Stephen

Jenny Slate

Angela

Richard Armitage

Tom Cahalan

Carrie-Anne Moss

Rhona Nack

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Brain on Fire: Trailer 1

1:55

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Synopsis

Susannah Cahalan, an up-and-coming journalist at the New York Post becomes plagued by voices in her head and seizures. As weeks progress and Susannah quickly moves deeper into insanity, her behaviors shift from violence to catatonia. After a series of tantrums, misdiagnoses, and a lengthy hospital stay, a doctor's last-minute intervention enables him to give her a diagnosis and a chance to rebuild her life.

Director: Gerard Barrett
Producer: Charlize Theron, Beth Kono, Lindsay MacAdam, Rob Merilees, A.J. Dix
Screenwriter: Gerard Barrett
Production Co: Foundation Features, Broad Green Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Elements|Partial Nudity|Brief Language)
Genre: Biography, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 22, 2018
Runtime: 1h 35m

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