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Mystery drama

Burning (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Burning (2018) movie poster

Burning is a 2018 mystery drama directed by Chang-dong Lee, starring Steven Yeun as Ben, Moon Sung-Keun and Ah In Yoo. It is partly based on The Elephant Vanishes by Haruki Murakami and Alfred Birnbaum. It runs 2 hours 28 minutes and earned $7.6 million worldwide. It won 1 award from 5 nominations, including Best International Film Release at the Saturn Awards 2019. Critics gave it 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 91 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10.

IMDb rating
7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
94%
worldwide gross
$7.6M
award won
1
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Burning (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 28m (148 min)
Director
Chang-dong Lee
Genres
Drama , Mystery
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Burning About?

The premise of Burning without spoilers, adapted from The Elephant Vanishes by Haruki Murakami and Alfred Birnbaum. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A quiet young man's life takes an unexpected turn with the sudden appearance of a vibrant woman. As a complex friendship develops, a charismatic but mysterious man enters their lives, adding another layer to the unfolding drama. When the woman disappears, the man finds himself entangled in a web of secrets and unsettling events, questioning everything he thought he knew and facing a shocking confrontation that challenges his perception of reality.

Burning Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • metaphor
  • class differences
  • reference to william faulkner
  • childhood memory
  • childhood friend
  • aspiring writer
  • stalking
  • suspicion
  • arson
  • based on short story
  • sex scene
  • male nudity
+38 more
  • male rear nudity
  • south korea
  • porsche 911
  • seoul south korea
  • pet cat
  • ambiguous ending
  • cow
  • fire
  • mysterious disappearance
  • father son relationship
  • wealth
  • mother son relationship
  • male masturbation
  • dancing
  • rural setting
  • greenhouse
  • trip to africa
  • pantomime
  • ringing telephone
  • courtroom
  • cat
  • setting a car on fire
  • childhood classmate
  • rich man
  • calf
  • hunger
  • dream
  • pursuit
  • following a car
  • following someone
  • cafe
  • reference to the great gatsby character
  • burning down a greenhouse
  • murder
  • trial
  • psychological thriller
  • cigarette smoking
  • urination
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Cast & crew

Burning Cast & Characters

Steven Yeun leads the cast as Ben, with Moon Sung-Keun as Lawyer and Ah In Yoo. Directed by Chang-dong Lee; 13 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Chang-dong Lee

More films directed by Chang-dong Lee, best-rated first: Poetry, Secret Sunshine and Oasis.

Full filmography
Ratings

Burning Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Burning 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 91 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 81/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in story & flow (70).

81 /100

Burning Echo Score Breakdown

Burning offers a meticulously crafted cinematic experience defined by its polished visual language and haunting emotional undercurrents, though its deliberate pacing and structural ambiguity may challenge some viewers. Critics commend the artful direction and performances, while a subset of audiences cites slow stretches and cryptic developments. Sensory richness and thematic layering contribute to a compelling but demanding journey. This blend of technical mastery and introspective tension yields a resonant yet occasionally taxing overall impact.

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

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of craftsmanship, Burning stands out for its precise direction and striking visual compositions. Critics highlight Lee Chang-dong’s deliberate framing and controlled editing that build sustained tension, while some viewers note the languid movement of shots may feel prolonged. The production design and cinematography’s muted palette reinforce the film’s melancholic mood. Overall, this aspect demonstrates refined artistic execution.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    When it comes to character and emotion, Burning delivers nuanced performances that register complex interpersonal undercurrents. Reviewers applaud Jong-seo Jun and Steven Yeun for their restrained yet expressive portrayals, while occasional critiques cite a degree of emotional distance from the protagonist. The chemistry among the core trio oscillates between intimacy and unease, effectively sustaining intrigue. This balance fosters a subtly resonant character dynamic.

  • Story & Flow 70

    In terms of story and flow, Burning unfolds with deliberate pacing and layered ambiguity that some find intellectually engaging, while others perceive occasional narrative excess. Critics laud its puzzle-like structure and thematic depth, though a subset of viewers remarks on protracted sequences and an opaque resolution. The film’s measured development challenges conventional storytelling rhythms. Overall, this results in an intriguing yet occasionally demanding narrative experience.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    When it comes to sensory experience, Burning offers a rich audiovisual tapestry that stimulates attention. The atmospheric score underpins the film’s tension with subtle restraint, and the sound design amplifies moments of quiet unease. Visually, the film’s subdued color scheme and thoughtful composition enhance its contemplative tone. This yields a consistently immersive sensory environment.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    When considering rewatch factor, Burning presents a film dense with thematic clues and character nuances that reward repeated viewings. Critics emphasize its lingering questions and interpretive latitude, and many viewers report returning to decipher its layered motifs. However, some find the protracted runtime and ambiguous passages hinder immediate re-engagement. Ultimately, the film offers lasting appeal tempered by its demanding structure.

Plot

Burning Plot Summary

What happens in Burning from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

[Jong-su], an aspiring young novelist, works a string of odd jobs around Seoul while chasing stories and trying to find his voice. One ordinary day, he crosses paths with Shin Hae-mi, a childhood neighbor and classmate, during a promotional event where he’s making a delivery. She has had plastic surgery, and she explains it with a casual honesty that unsettles him. He returns the pink watch he won at the promotion, a small token from their past that grows into something more tangled as they reconnect. Before long, she asks him to look after her cat, Boil, while she travels to Africa.

Full summary

The whole story of Burning, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Burning Box Office

Burning grossed $7.6 million worldwide. $718,991 came from the US and Canada and $6.9 million (91%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$7.6M

US & Canada
$719K
International
$6.9M
US & Canada 9% Rest of the world 91%
Awards

Burning Awards & Nominations

Burning won 1 award from 5 nominations, including Best International Film Release at the Saturn Awards 2019. Its biggest night was the Saturn Awards 2019, with 1 win from 3 nominations.

1 win5 nominations3 ceremonies

Quiz

How Well Do You Know Burning?

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 is the name of the aspiring young novelist who serves as the main protagonist?

Cars

Cars in Burning

46 cars on screen, including the 2002 Kia Bongo Frontier and the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S 991.

All 46 cars
  • 2002 Kia Bongo Frontier in Burning 2002 Kia Bongo Frontier Main role
  • 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S 991 in Burning 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S 991 Important role
  • 2016 BMW 3 F30 in Burning 2016 BMW 3 F30 Minor role
  • 2010 Hyundai Green City in Burning 2010 Hyundai Green City Minor role
Details

Burning Also Known As

27 alternative titles, including “Ardiente” and “Em Chamas”.

Also known as
  • Ardiente
  • Em Chamas
  • 燃烧烈爱
  • มือเพลิง
  • Beoning
  • Burning - L'amore brucia
  • Пылающий
  • 燃烧
  • בערה
  • Gyújtogatók
  • Şüphe
  • 燃燒烈愛
+15 more
  • 燒失樂園
  • Płomienie
  • Το Παιχνίδι με τη Φωτιά
  • Спалення
  • Bränd
  • Izgaranje
  • バーニング 劇場版
  • Dedzinasana
  • În flăcări
  • Изгарање
  • Изпепеляване
  • Vzplanutí
  • Thiêu Đốt
  • Degantis
  • Požiganje

Seen Burning?

FAQ

Burning FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of Burning, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Burning?

Burning runs 2 hours 28 minutes (148 minutes).

When was Burning released?

Burning was released on October 26, 2018.

Who directed Burning?

Burning was directed by Chang-dong Lee.

More films by Chang-dong Lee

Who is in the cast of Burning?

Burning stars Steven Yeun as Ben, Moon Sung-Keun as Lawyer and Ah In Yoo, among 13 credited actors.

How much did Burning make at the box office?

Burning grossed $7.6 million worldwide ($718,991 domestic, $6.9 million international).

How is Burning rated?

Burning has 7.4/10 on IMDb, 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 91 on Metacritic and 63% on TMDB.

Is Burning based on a book?

Yes. Burning is partly adapted from The Elephant Vanishes by Haruki Murakami, Alfred Birnbaum and Jay Rubin.

What awards did Burning win?

Burning won 1 award from 5 nominations, including Best International Film Release at the Saturn Awards 2019.

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