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Firestarter

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Firestarter

R

1984

1h 53m

Horror

Sci-Fi

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

40%

Tomatometer

35 Reviews

53%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

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."

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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

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

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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

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Sarah Vincent

Sarah G Vincent Views

“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.

Jun 9, 2024

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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

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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

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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

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Jonathan O

Firestarter has really impressive fire effects and incredible stunts but not feeling Stephen King's universe is like watching a different movie and the cast are terrific but not great and the writing is not good but only small good writing parts and Drew Berrymore really is a star but audiences may feel a follow up to E.T. lol.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/03/25

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darren m

Anyone not liking this thoroughly enjoyable tour de force of special effects and superb child acting needs their head examined. She literally burns everything and everyone in the grand scenes. What's not to like? See the clips for yourself online. The director and screenwriter understood the power of excess and entertaining horror elements. Along the lines of the Evil Dead, the creators knew to tell a story with EXCESS- a story of revenge most viewers love: complete and total destruction of bad people.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/14/25

Full Review

N P

So, initially, this movie wasn't on my radar at all. But, the trailer happened to be on my YouTube page, so I watched it. And, I couldn't help but see SO MANY similarities between this movie and Stranger Things' Eleven and her storyline. So, I had to watch it, and I did. The major props of Firestarter is mainly its source material, a novel by Stephen King, a horror novel legend. The unique concept of a young girl with powers being hunted and tested by the government is just a really interesting and somewhat possible concept. The synopsis of this movie would have drawn people in. But, the first half of the movie is a slow burn - it kind of meanders and I wish they would have spent more time with the family unit, so the emotional scenes and stakes would have hit harder in general. The second half, though, focuses more on the government side of things, which I enjoyed, gained more empathy and felt tense towards the climatic end for sure. Additionally, it definitely feels like a 80s movie with the synth score, and the pyrotechnics involved were wildly visually cool to look it. Feel free to check it out if you're interested!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/16/25

Full Review

Me D

The movie should’ve been so good, but it wasn’t. All the brilliant actors in this don’t shine either, and some of the dialogue is just a sharp, long stab in the chest.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

06/22/24

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Michael P

Could be better, at this point, with how long this felt, you could just read the book instead

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/27/24

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Georgan G

3.25 stars. Good take on a one of Stephen King's earlier horror novels. Extremely young Drew Barrymore is cute & several adult actors do a fine job.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/20/24

Full Review

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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

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

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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
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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