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The Burning

1981·Movie
1h 31min·R
63
DecentGoodWatch score

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The Burning fingerprint

Relentless energy, emotionally cool.

Energy

Terrifying and brutally violent

Fast from start to finish.

  • Scare9
  • Violence9
  • Tension8

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Nostalgia5
  • Pathos4
  • Melancholy4

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Dark Humor4
  • Physical Comedy3
  • Situational Comedy1

World

History, crime, and the mind

  • World Immersion7
  • Dialogue Centrality5
  • Rewatchability5

Craft

Solid, not remarkable

  • Direction7
  • Intrigue7
  • Acting6

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition6

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightSolo Watch

Skip it if

Graphic violence bothers youYou scare easily

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

A legend of terror isn't a campfire story anymore!

A caretaker at a summer camp is burned when a prank goes tragically wrong. After several years of intensive treatment at hospital, he is released back into society, albeit missing some social skills. What follows is a bloody killing spree with the caretaker making his way back to his old stomping ground to confront one of the youths that accidentally burned him.
Slasher HorrorSummer CampRevengeGore80s HorrorViolentTensionMysteryCamp Setting

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Burning

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Burning legally?

The Burning is included with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy and Tubi TV. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Burning worth watching?

63
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 63/100 (IMDb 6.2, Rotten Tomatoes 86%, and Metacritic 42). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Burning rated?

RViolenceDisturbing imageryNudity

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence, disturbing imagery, and nudity.

How long is The Burning?

1 h 31 min

The Burning runs 1 h 31 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Burning?

Critics64
Audiences62

Yes. Critics average 64 and audiences 62 out of 100, so both groups see The Burning much the same way.

What language is The Burning in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States, Canada.

In how many countries can I watch The Burning?

11CADKESFIFRGBGGIENOSEUS

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Burning in 11 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Burning use?

Urban LegendsImpaled with Extreme PrejudiceDeveloping Doomed CharactersGirly RunEvil Wears BlackAll Women Are LustfulCassandra TruthFeet-First IntroductionHoist by His Own PetardHollywood DarknessThe Cavalry Arrives LateHand of Deathand 92 more

TV Tropes lists 104 storytelling tropes for The Burning, including Urban Legends, Impaled with Extreme Prejudice, Developing Doomed Characters.