Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Thriller

Burn (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Burn (2019) movie poster

Burn is a 2019 thriller directed by Mike Gan, starring Tilda Cobham-Hervey as Melinda, Josh Hutcherson and Winter-Lee Holland. It runs 1 hour 28 minutes and earned $25,373 worldwide. Critics gave it 50 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10.

IMDb rating
5.7/10
worldwide gross
$25.4K
Echo Score
70
Metascore
50
Loading streaming availability…
Burn (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 28m (88 min)
Director
Mike Gan
Genre
Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Burn About?

The premise of Burn without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Melinda, a quiet and frustrated gas station attendant, feels overshadowed by her coworker. Her life takes a dramatic turn when Billy, a desperate man holding up the station, arrives. Seeing a chance to escape her mundane existence, Melinda unexpectedly forms a volatile and intense connection with the hostage-taking robber, pushing boundaries and risking everything in the process.

Burn Themes & Keywords

· 17 tags
  • female on male rape
  • gas
  • gas station
  • hostage
  • gun
  • fire
  • police
  • robbery
  • violence
  • death
  • deception
  • clerk
+5 more
  • female protagonist
  • one word title
  • survival
  • sex in a locker room
  • predator turns victim
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Burn Cast & Characters

Tilda Cobham-Hervey leads the cast as Melinda, with Josh Hutcherson as Billy and Winter-Lee Holland as Dolores. Directed by Mike Gan; 14 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Mike Gan

One more film directed by Mike Gan: School Spirit.

Full filmography
Ratings

Burn Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Burn 50 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

70 /100

Burn Echo Score Breakdown

Burn presents a blend of commendable visual craftsmanship and engaging performances tempered by uneven narrative execution. Critics and users alike praise its crisp cinematography and spirited lead portrayal while pointing out occasional pacing lulls and plot inconsistencies. The film’s low-budget design and experimental tone contribute to its distinct indie identity, yet some viewers found character arcs underdeveloped and structure meandering. On balance, Burn delivers enough intrigue and stylistic flair to satisfy genre enthusiasts despite its mixed coherence and modest ambition.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 72

    In terms of art and craft, Burn frequently employs crisp, vivid cinematography that stands out against its minimal settings. The editing maintains a generally brisk tempo, although some viewers noted structural flatness in the second half. Direction receives mixed assessments: moments of confident visual staging contrast with occasional narrative strain. Overall, the film’s visual design and technical framing deliver an effective indie aesthetic despite uneven directorial choices.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character depth and emotion, the lead performance consistently earns praise for its nuanced portrayal of an edge-dwelling protagonist. Supporting roles, however, are often described as underwritten, leading to one-dimensional interactions. While some viewers appreciated the strange, engaging personalities, others found the chemistry uneven and emotional stakes diffuse. Consequently, character engagement is both a highlight in the central role and a limitation in peripheral development.

  • Story & Flow 62

    In terms of story and flow, Burn offers inventive twists on a confined setting but struggles with plot cohesion. Early scenes sustain tension and engagement, yet narrative momentum falters in the latter half, resulting in perceived pacing irregularities. Critics pointed to unfulfilled potential and structural unevenness, while fans of experimental storytelling appreciated its unpredictability. The net impression is a moderately engaging storyline tempered by occasional meandering and familiar crime tropes.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    When it comes to the sensory experience, the film benefits from an original score that punctuates key moments with subtle intensity. Sound design remains functional, supporting the suspense without distracting flourishes. Visually, the movie’s restrained color palette and crisp framing create a cohesive indie atmosphere. While not overwhelmingly immersive, these elements collectively enhance the viewing experience, offering a pleasing balance of auditory and visual clarity.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    In terms of rewatch value, Burn provides a distinctive indie tone that may attract viewers on subsequent viewings for its visual style and central performance. Some audiences found its tight runtime and unusual twists engaging enough to revisit, while others considered its narrative unevenness and underdeveloped subplots to limit lasting appeal. Overall, the film holds moderate replay potential for enthusiasts of low-budget experimentation but lacks widespread repeat allure.

Plot

Burn Plot Summary

What happens in Burn from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the year 1844, the British Admiralty embarks on a covert mission by dispatching Sir William Walker, an agent provocateur, to the island of Queimada—a prosperous Portuguese colony located in the Lesser Antilles. This operation, initiated by the British government, aims to facilitate the economic exploitation of the island by the Antilles Royal Sugar Company. Tasked with instigating a rebellion among the enslaved Africans against their Portuguese overlords, Walker’s ultimate goal is to replace the existing regime with a government that is more compliant and favorable to the interests of white planters.

Full summary

The whole story of Burn, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Burn Box Office

Burn grossed $25,373 worldwide.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$25.4K

International
$25.4K
Videos

Burn Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Burn.

BURN - Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Burn?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What year does the film 'Burn' take place?

Cars

Cars in Burn

9 cars on screen, including the 2011 Dodge Charger Pursuit and the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan.

All 9 cars
  • 2011 Dodge Charger Pursuit in Burn 2011 Dodge Charger Pursuit Minor role
  • 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan in Burn 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan Minor role
  • 2001 Ford F-150 in Burn 2001 Ford F-150 Minor role
  • Harley-Davidson FLTRX Road Glide in Burn Harley-Davidson FLTRX Road Glide Minor role
Details

Burn Also Known As

24 alternative titles, including “Sukhtan” and “Plume”.

Also known as
  • Sukhtan
  • Plume
  • BURN バーン
  • Burn (Noche Infernal)
  • Nuit d'enfer
  • 버닝
  • Ogień
  • Опекотине
  • Изгаряне
  • שרוף
  • Игра с огнем
  • Burn - Una notte d'inferno
+12 more
  • Noche infernal
  • Гра з вогнем
  • 燃烧
  • Burn - Hell of a Night
  • 深夜加油站遇見抓狂衰事
  • Cehennem Gecesi
  • Uma Noite Infernal
  • เบิร์น เอา มัน ไป เผา
  • Lángoló kút
  • Noční plameny
  • Arde!
  • BURN/バーン

Seen Burn?

FAQ

Burn FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Burn, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Burn?

Burn runs 1 hour 28 minutes (88 minutes).

When was Burn released?

Burn was released on August 23, 2019.

Who directed Burn?

Burn was directed by Mike Gan.

More films by Mike Gan

Who is in the cast of Burn?

Burn stars Tilda Cobham-Hervey as Melinda, Josh Hutcherson as Billy and Winter-Lee Holland as Dolores, among 14 credited actors.

How much did Burn make at the box office?

Burn grossed $25,373 worldwide.

How is Burn rated?

Burn has 5.7/10 on IMDb, 50 on Metacritic, 60% on TMDB and 2.4/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Burn have a post-credit scene?

No. Burn has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app