Firestarter

critic Reviews

, 11% Rotten Tomatometer Score
  • There was plenty of room to improve on the original, but Firestarter trips over that low bar and tumbles toward the bottom of the long list of Stephen King adaptations.
  • , Rotten Tomatometer Score
    Victoria LuxfordBBC.com
    The acting is very stiff, the special effects look cheap… (the 1984 film) isn’t very well remembered, but somehow this manages to be worse.
    Read full article
  • , Rotten Tomatometer Score
    tt stern-enziWXIX-TV (Cincinnati, OH)
    Unfortunately, it didn't really catch fire...
    Read full article
  • , Rotten Tomatometer Score
    Richard WhittakerAustin Chronicle
    The most incoherent, unengaging, and weirdly mean-spirited
    Read full article
  • , Rotten Tomatometer Score
    Jason BaileyRolling Stone
    The effects are dodgy and unconvincing. The emotional investment is nil. The running time is only 94 minutes long, thus proving there may, in fact, be a merciful higher power out there. It’s still a four-alarm disaster.
    Read full article
  • , Rotten Tomatometer Score
    Sara Michelle FettersMovieFreak.com
    Maybe this book is unadaptable?
    Read full article
  • , Rotten Tomatometer Score
    A.A. DowdEmpire Magazine
    Only a thrilling throwback synth score from John Carpenter keeps this inferior, modernised take on Firestarter off the lower end of a list of Stephen King adaptations.
    Read full article
  • , Fresh Tomatometer Score
    Sarah VincentCambridge Day
    When the lit match hits the tinder, the powered prodigy pulls no punches, making for a high body count as she turns the tables on the government’s goons, who devise an impressive gauntlet to capture her.
    Read full article
  • , Rotten Tomatometer Score
    Rebecca JohnsonFilm Focus Online
    Besides its competent musical score from Carpenter and actors that appear to try, Firestarter is a lacklustre remake. It lacks both horror and heart, features shoddy effects and suffers from a complete identity crisis.
    Read full article
  • , Rotten Tomatometer Score
    Jennifer BissetCNET
    The '80s adaptation of Stephen King's sci-fi horror didn't draw rave reviews, so this 2022 reboot from horror movie factory Blumhouse took another stab. Results? Not good...it does offer the intrigue of seeing Zac Efron take the lead in a horror flick.
    Read full article
  • , Rotten Tomatometer Score
    Jenn AdamsBloody Disgusting
    Seemingly less interested with fire, Thomas’s story taps into the heart of King’s novel, a little girl making peace with who she truly is.
    Read full article