Firestarter

R

1984

1h 53m

Horror

List

40%

Tomatometer

35 Reviews

53%

Audience Score

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

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

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

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

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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

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

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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

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Firestarter: Official Clip - Cinder Blocks on Fire

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Firestarter: Official Clip - Hot Feet

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Firestarter: Official Clip - Go to Hell!

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Firestarter: Official Clip - Showdown at the Barn

2:09

Firestarter: Official Clip - Torching the Agents

3:00

Firestarter: Official Clip - Burning Mommy

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Firestarter: Official Clip - Wood Chip Test

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Firestarter: Official Clip - Tranquilized

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Firestarter: Official Clip - The Experiment

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Firestarter: Official Clip - Charlie Burns Everything

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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.
Production Co: Dino de Laurentiis Corp., Universal Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Runtime: 1h 53m

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