Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- claustrophobic
- uneasy
- bleak
- late night thriller viewing
- indie film night
What critics said
Critics found the film competently made but tonally indecisive, with its promising premise not fully developed.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Most of the central robbery, hostage-taking, and interpersonal manipulation unfolds inside or around a lonely gas station.
Melinda's isolation and resentment toward Sheila shape her attempt to connect with and dominate Billy during the robbery.
The hostage scenario combines gunpoint danger and attempted sexual coercion with moments described as bordering on slapstick.
Melinda takes Billy hostage and restrains him after he initiates the robbery, transforming the power structure.
Films like Burn, and why
The Disappearance of Alice Creed
contained crime thriller centered on an unstable protagonist and a volatile hostage situation
Shallow Grave
darkly comic, claustrophobic crime story driven by manipulation and shifting power
Freeway
independent thriller combining blue-collar isolation, criminal desperation, and escalating psychological danger
Movie Details
- Director
- Mike Gan
- Release Date
- 2019-08-23
- Runtime
- 89 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (366)
Cast
- Tilda Cobham-Hervey
- Josh Hutcherson
- Suki Waterhouse
- Shiloh Fernandez
- Harry Shum Jr.
- James Devoti
- Robert Figueroa
- John D. Hickman
- Wayne Pyle
- Winter-Lee Holland
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, Starz Amazon Channel, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Starz, Starz Apple TV channel, Starz Roku Premium Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Burn about?
- A lonely gas-station attendant turns a desperate armed robbery into a dangerous bid for intimacy, control, and recognition.
- What is Burn like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Burn as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Burn violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Burn as moderate.
- What did critics think of Burn?
- Critics found the film competently made but tonally indecisive, with its promising premise not fully developed.
- Which films are like Burn?
- Films with a similar feel include The Disappearance of Alice Creed, Shallow Grave, and Freeway.
- How long is Burn?
- Burn runs 89 minutes.
- Where can I watch Burn?
- In United States, Burn streams on Philo, Starz Amazon Channel, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Starz, Starz Apple TV channel, Starz Roku Premium Channel.
