Firestarter

R

1984

1h 53m

Horror

List

38%

34 Reviews

Tomatometer

53%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

As youths, Andy McGee (David Keith) and his future wife, Vicky (Heather Locklear), participated in secret experiments, allowing themselves to be subjected to mysterious medical tests. Years later, the couple's daughter, Charlie (Drew Barrymore), 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."

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Nov 01

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Netflix

Watch Firestarter with a subscription on Netflix, rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

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).

Read Critics Reviews

Leandro T

Supernatural and entertaining Stephen king classic

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/14/24

Full Review

Jeff M

Although I have vaguely fond memories of watching this on HBO as a youth, my revisit with this Steven King adaptation was disappointingly not a happy reunion. Not having read the original source material, I can't comment how faithful this is to the book. However if the screenplay here is indeed close to the novel, this probably isn't one of King's finest tomes. The basic premise is fun and would seemingly have a lot of potential, but it unfortunately takes a predictable route involving government conspiracy and unethical federal agents. But the basic problem is a simple one - once we've seen Barrymore start her first fire, there's not a whole lot of excitement watching her start her 14th fire. There are no thrills or excitement, and we don't care about the titular character, mainly because Barrymore's whiny and often grating performance frankly isn't all that great. Heather Locklear has a small role and achieves the amazing feat of being more convincing dead than alive. And the ending, if you really stop and think about it, is beyond ludicrous. There is some fun seeing a parade of award winning actors making cameo appearances like this was a 70s airport movie, but other than that, I was underwhelmed and bored.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/06/24

Full Review

Cees T

Horror intro, tedious overacted drama middle, and amusingly bad finale that goes on a little too long even at 1.2x speed. 5/10 - Still better than the remake.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/22/23

Full Review

Glitched G

If you haven't read the book I'm sure most will enjoy Firestarter!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/18/23

Full Review

Ricardo d

Acho que o problema neste filme chama-se roteiristas e editores, claro que tudo orquestrado pela direção. Um roteiro enrolado, com uma edição cansativa, tornou um filme um saco de quase 2hs. Os efeitos especiais são bons, exceto aqueles cabelos voando da Charlie. Poderia ser um filme melhor: poderia sim, mas acho que teria que começar do zero escalando outro diretor.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

04/28/23

Full Review

Justin M

I'd say the RT 38% score is right on. It was … kind of ok. It felt more like I was watching a moderately passable tv show from the early 80's than a big budget movie. I felt like this one and the remake were about equal in quality and watchability. I did quite a bit of messing around on my phone while watching it, while still having a mild interest in what was going to happen.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

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

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Firestarter: Official Clip - Cinder Blocks on Fire

2:44

Firestarter: Official Clip - Hot Feet

1:58

Firestarter: Official Clip - Go to Hell!

2:05

Firestarter: Official Clip - Showdown at the Barn

2:09

Firestarter: Official Clip - Torching the Agents

3:00

Firestarter: Official Clip - Burning Mommy

1:42

Firestarter: Official Clip - Wood Chip Test

2:35

Firestarter: Official Clip - Tranquilized

1:43

Firestarter: Official Clip - The Experiment

2:57

Firestarter: Official Clip - Charlie Burns Everything

2:58

View more videos

83%

80%

Videodrome

33%

57%

Phantasm II

64%

45%

Cat People

40%

52%

Child's Play 2

67%

61%

Sometimes They Come Back

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Eleven Movies That Inspired Stranger Things

View more photos

Gary Arnold

Washington Post

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

Oct 17, 2017

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

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.

Rated: 2/4

Oct 23, 2004

Full Review

Noah Berlatsky

Everything is Horrible (Substack)

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.

Mar 17, 2023

Full Review

Jenn Adams

Rue Morgue Magazine

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.

Rated: C

Feb 18, 2023

Full Review

Cheryl Eddy

io9.com

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.

Sep 14, 2022

Full Review

Alan Jones

Starburst

The most mediocre adaptation so far.

Aug 1, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

As youths, Andy McGee (David Keith) and his future wife, Vicky (Heather Locklear), participated in secret experiments, allowing themselves to be subjected to mysterious medical tests. Years later, the couple's daughter, Charlie (Drew Barrymore), 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
Production Co: Dino de Laurentiis Corp., Universal Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Runtime: 1h 53m

Most Popular at Home Now