Firestarter
Performance & Direction: Firestarter Review
Last updated: February 18, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Firestarter (2022) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Horror.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Horror is often anchored by its ensemble, and Firestarter features a noteworthy lineup led by Ryan Kiera Armstrong . Supported by the likes of Zac Efron and Sydney Lemmon , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Firestarter
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2022, Firestarter is a Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller film directed by Keith Thomas. The narrative crafts an atmosphere of dread and suspense, using psychological terror and visual scares. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Ryan Kiera Armstrong.
Story Breakdown
The horror unfolds through carefully crafted atmosphere and escalating dread. For more than a decade, parents Andy and Vicky have been on the run, desperate to hide their daughter Charlie from a shadowy federal agency that wants to harness her unprecedented gift for creating fire into a weapon of mass destruction. Andy has taught Charlie how to defuse her power, which is triggered by anger or pain. But as Charlie turns 11, the fire becomes harder and harder to control. After an incident reveals the family's location, a mysterious operative is deployed to hunt down the family and seize Charlie once and for all. Charlie has other plans. Director Keith Thomas uses both psychological terror and visceral scares, building tension through what's unseen as much as what's shown. The pacing allows for breathing room between scares, making each frightening moment more effective.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: An unsettling prologue sets the ominous tone, hinting at the terror to come while establishing the rules of this world.
- Character Arc: Character development is present but somewhat formulaic, following familiar patterns without adding fresh perspectives to the genre.
- Climax & Resolution: The final act escalates the terror to its peak, forcing characters to confront the source of horror directly.
Ending Explained: Firestarter
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Keith Thomas, Firestarter attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to horror resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes involving Ryan Kiera Armstrong, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the horror themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Firestarter reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Firestarter?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Horror films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: Firestarter
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $12.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $15.0M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Firestarter Budget
The estimated production budget for Firestarter is $12.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Firestarter
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Firestarter Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon VideoFirestarter Parents Guide & Age Rating
2022 AdvisoryWondering about Firestarter age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Firestarter is 94 minutes (1h 34m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.5/10, and global performance metrics, Firestarter is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2022 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Firestarter worth watching?
Firestarter is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Horror movies. It has a verified rating of 5.5/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Firestarter parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Firestarter identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Firestarter?
The total duration of Firestarter is 94 minutes, which is approximately 1h 34m long.
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Critic Reviews for Firestarter
He might look good in a white T-shirt but the thing is, as Zac Efron gets older he looks more and more like an automaton. When he was younger, he had a charm about him - now he just looks like his life consists of nothing but the gym, the manscapists and a bath in yesterday's excess kale smoothie mix! Add to that really lacklustre performance some screaming from a competent youngster in Ryan Kiera Armstrong ("Charlie") and we are left with a very mediocre adaptation of this pretty lightweight Stephen King story that is big on pyrotechnic effects, certainly, but on very little else. There is a story: the youngster can cause things to combust at will when she gets stressed or annoyed; her father can bend people to his will making his eyes bleed in the process - quite an effective cure for smokers who want to give up; and her mother - Sidney Lemmon, well she too has a quirk - but I cannot remember what it was (but it definitely wasn't firefighting). Anyway, those who scientifically enhanced this family are hot on their trail - and it's all a question of who will prevail. Well it would be if you were still remotely bothered but after half an hour I just wasn't. For a movie about conflagration - it's sadly all a bit of a damp squib.
Eh, just another pointless remake/re-adaptation, although I don't mind it since the 1984 version wasn't great either. Nothing terrible but not anything special either. Performances were bland and not even the pyrotechnics weren't all that impressive. I guess it's fine to watch for free on Peakcock Premium but even so, you're really not missing anything. **2.25/5**
**Ironically, this fire never got going—total dud.** What? How? I didn't expect to be blown away, but I also didn't expect to be bored. I love Blumhouse flicks, and their fresh take on The Invisible Man had my expectations high for their version of Firestarter. Unfortunately, this was as straight to streaming as a movie could feel. Think Push (2009) but much more mediocre.
Add it to the “passible movies that are adaptations of Stephen King novels” pile, which is getting concerning-ly large. Regardless, I got to see the NOPE trailer on the big screen!
**Slightly generic but heartwarming** This is your typical superhero origin story that is about learning responsibility. Unlike most people, I actually thought this was kind of sweet and slightly different from other films in the same genre. They went for a more realistic approach by focusing on her "becoming a young woman" and showing the difficulties through a visual cue.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
