The Burning Plain

  • 2008
  • R
  • 111m
movieMx RATING
6.6/10457
VERDICT
HIT
Advertisement

Performance & Direction: The Burning Plain Review

Last updated: February 15, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: February 15, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Burning Plain (2008) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.6/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Burning Plain features a noteworthy lineup led by Charlize Theron . Supported by the likes of Kim Basinger and Jennifer Lawrence , 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?

In summary, our editorial assessment of The Burning Plain (2008) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 6.6/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Result: HIT
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, The Burning Plain stands as a HIT.

Story & Plot Summary: The Burning Plain

Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2008, The Burning Plain is a Drama, Romance, Crime film directed by Guillermo Arriaga. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Charlize Theron.

Ending Explained: The Burning Plain

Ending Breakdown: Directed by Guillermo Arriaga, The Burning Plain concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.

The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Charlize Theron, 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 drama themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of The Burning Plain reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

The Burning Plain Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?

The Burning Plain incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a drama, romance, crime film directed by Guillermo Arriaga, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement for Charlize Theron's character.

Historical Context

The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.

Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.

Accuracy Assessment: The Burning Plain adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.

Who Should Watch The Burning Plain?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of Charlize Theron or the director
  • Want a character-driven story with emotional moments

Box Office Collection: The Burning Plain

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $20.0M
Worldwide Gross $5.6M
Trade Verdict CLEAN HIT

The Burning Plain Budget

The estimated production budget for The Burning Plain is $20.0M. 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.

Advertisement

Top Cast: The Burning Plain

All Cast & Crew →
Charlize Theron
Charlize TheronSylvia / Mariana
Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer LawrenceYoung Mariana
Joaquim de Almeida
Joaquim de AlmeidaNick Martinez
Danny Pino
Danny PinoSantiago Martinez
J. D. Pardo
J. D. PardoYoung Santiago
Advertisement

Where to Watch The Burning Plain Online?

Streaming Hub

📺 Stream on

fuboTVfuboTV
PhiloPhilo
Magnolia Selects Amazon ChannelMagnolia Selects Amazon Channel

🎟️ Rent on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube
Fandango At HomeFandango At Home

🏷️ Buy on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube
Fandango At HomeFandango At Home

The Burning Plain Parents Guide & Age Rating

2008 Advisory
R

Official Age Rating

Wondering about The Burning Plain age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

The Burning Plain is rated R. Parents should be aware that it contains mature themes, violence, romantic content. It is intended for mature audiences only.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Burning Plain is 111 minutes (1h 51m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.6/10, and global performance metrics, The Burning Plain is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2008 cinematic calendar.

HIT
Official movieMx status for The Burning Plain. Rating: 6.6/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Burning Plain worth watching?

The Burning Plain is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.6/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Burning Plain parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Burning Plain identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of The Burning Plain?

The total duration of The Burning Plain is 111 minutes, which is approximately 1h 51m long.

Best Movies to Watch if you liked The Burning Plain

How The Burning Plain Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for The Burning Plain

No reviews found for this filter.

🛡️

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.

Advertisement
Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.6
The Burning Plain
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/the-burning-plain-12165" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 6.6</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">The Burning Plain</div></div></a>

Share this rating on your blog or website. Includes a 100% organic backlink.

More with Charlize Theron

View full filmography