Burning (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Burning is a 2021 documentary directed by Eva Orner, starring Mark Graham, Michael Harrington and Tim Flannery. It runs 1 hour 26 minutes and earned $1.9 million worldwide. Critics gave it 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 26m (86 min)
- Director
- Eva Orner
- Genre
- Documentary
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Amazon Prime Video
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Burning About?
The premise of Burning without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
During Australia's catastrophic "Black Summer," this documentary explores the harrowing reality of the country's most destructive bushfire season. Fueled by climate change, the infernos consumed over 59 million acres, resulting in the tragic loss of an estimated three billion animal lives and profoundly impacting countless communities. The film portrays a landscape of devastation alongside the inspiring stories of resilience and recovery.
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 Show fewer
- 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
Burning Cast
Mark Graham leads the cast, with Michael Harrington and Tim Flannery. Directed by Eva Orner; 10 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Eva Orner
- Mark Graham as themselves
- Michael Harrington as themselves
- Tim Flannery as themselves
- Daisy Jeffrey as themselves
Also Starring in Burning
· 6 more- Mary Ayliffe Themselves
- Rachel Mounsey Themselves
- Rebecca Mcgowan Themselves
- Tony Abbot Themselves
- Zoey Salucci Themselves
- Bruce Pascoe
More from Eva Orner
More films directed by Eva Orner, best-rated first: Surviving Ohio State, Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator, Brandy Hellville & the Cult of Fast Fashion and The Network.
Burning Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Burning 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in story & flow (70).
Burning Echo Score Breakdown
Burning emerges as a richly layered film that rewards patient viewers with its thematic depth and visual craftsmanship. Critics uniformly commend its direction, cinematography, and production design, while many users note the striking performances and atmospheric tone. Although the deliberate pacing frustrates a subset of audiences, the consensus highlights its compelling mystery and emotional resonance. The net impression is that the film stands as a notable, if demanding, entry in contemporary cinema.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 80
In terms of visual and technical execution, the film is praised for its meticulous direction and striking cinematography. Reviewers highlight the haunting color palette, precise editing, and purposeful production design that reinforce the narrative's mood. Even some detractors acknowledge the artful composition despite feeling the runtime is excessive. Overall, the craftsmanship is regarded as a strong asset of the work.
- Character & Emotion 78
When it comes to character work, performances are described as nuanced and subtly powerful. Critics emphasize the lead actor's ability to convey internal conflict, and many viewers commend the ensemble's chemistry and emotional depth. Some users criticize the protagonist's morality, yet the prevailing view appreciates the layered portrayals. Consequently, characterisation ranks as a solid component of the film.
- Story & Flow 70
The narrative structure divides opinion, with its slow-burn approach eliciting both admiration and impatience. Critics value the originality of the mystery and the thematic ambition, while several users fault the pacing and perceived lack of payoff. Nonetheless, the story’s thematic complexity and gradual revelations are seen as intentional rather than careless. The overall assessment marks the story as ambitious but uneven.
- Sensory Experience 75
Sensory experience receives commendation for its atmospheric sound design and immersive score. Reviewers note that the soundtrack subtly underscores tension, and the visual style maintains cohesion throughout the film’s length. A minority of viewers find the prolonged silence and minimalistic soundscape disengaging. On balance, the sensory elements enhance the film’s mood and are considered a noteworthy strength.
- Rewatch Factor 78
Rewatch potential is highlighted by several critics who cite new layers emerging on subsequent viewings. Audience comments echo this, with many stating that a second or third screening clarifies symbolic details and deepens appreciation. Some viewers, however, remain deterred by the film’s duration. The consensus suggests that the film’s complexity rewards repeat engagement, granting it a high rewatch factor.
-
IMDb 7.4 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 95% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 80%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
TMDB 68% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.5 /5
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Burning Plot Summary
What happens in Burning 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
Lee Jong-su, an ambitious young writer, juggles various odd jobs in bustling Seoul until fate leads him to cross paths with Shin Hae-mi, a former neighbor and classmate, during an event where he is making a delivery. Although Jong-su initially struggles to recall her, Hae-mi reveals that she has undergone plastic surgery, which prompts a connection. He gifts her a pink watch he won at the event, and soon after, she shares her plans for a trip to Africa, asking Jong-su to look after her cat, Boil, during her absence. However, Jong-su’s life takes a turn when his father, a cattle farmer in Paju, gets embroiled in troubling legal issues, compelling Jong-su to return to the farm.
Full summary
The whole story of Burning, scene by scene
Burning Box Office
Burning grossed $1.9 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$1.9M
- International
- $1.9M
Burning Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Burning.
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What gift does Jong-su give Hae-mi as a token of their renewed friendship?
Burning Also Known As
10 alternative titles, including “Incendie” and “Terra Em Chamas”.
- Also known as
-
- Incendie
- Terra Em Chamas
- 燃烧
- Požár
- 불타는 지구
- Văpaie
- שריפה
- มฤตยูไฟป่า
- Ο Πλανήτης Καίγεται
- Yangın
Seen Burning?
Movies Like Burning
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Burning, The Burning Season and Burning Man.
Burning FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Burning, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Burning?
Burning runs 1 hour 26 minutes (86 minutes).
When was Burning released?
Burning was released on November 26, 2021.
Who directed Burning?
Burning was directed by Eva Orner.
More films by Eva Orner Who is in the cast of Burning?
Burning stars Mark Graham, Michael Harrington and Tim Flannery, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Burning make at the box office?
Burning grossed $1.9 million worldwide.
How is Burning rated?
Burning has 7.4/10 on IMDb, 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, 68% on TMDB and 3.5/5 on Letterboxd.
Does Burning have a post-credit scene?
No. Burning has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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