in the fire movie review 2023

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In the Fire – Movie Review (2/5)

Posted by Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard | Oct 10, 2023 | 4 minutes

IN THE FIRE is a new thriller starring Amber Heard and featuring several horror elements of the religious kind. Or rather, it’s a question of religion versus science in the 1890s. It’s interesting enough, but too long (and slow) as well as very predictable. Read our full In the Fire movie review here!

IN THE FIRE is a thriller with a story that sounds more like a horror movie. However, it is actually quite slow burn and you won’t know exactly what’s going on until the end of the movie. For me, the very premise of the story is flawed in many ways – and the dialogue is cringeworthy at times – so it’s off to a tough beginning.

The cast works well, with Amber Heard in the lead, but some characters do end up being quite stereotypical. Not to say they aren’t very realistic because we’ve certainly reviewed enough true-crime documentaries featuring religion to know otherwise. It just doesn’t work as well in a feature film where we barely get to know the characters.

Continue reading our In the Fire movie review below. Find it in theaters and at home on Friday, October 13, 2023.

The devil or mental illness

In this new thriller, we meet the doctor, Grace Burnham (Amber Heard) who comes from New York and travels to a remote plantation in the 1890s. There, she is surrounded by Spanish-speaking people living in a rural and quite religious area. Her job is to care for a disturbed boy, Martin, who has shown inexplicable abilities.

Nothing too wild, but plenty for the villagers to believe he is the devil. Actually, they believed this from the moment he was born.

Grace begins observing and treating Martin, who she suspects might have a mental illness (or challenge) rather than anything supernatural. It becomes the age-old battle of science versus religion. And, of course, a village in trouble always needs something to blame and the local priest has been quick to point at the boy. Again and again.

The very same priest is also quick to bring out a whip and beat anyone who dares to disagree or challenge him, so there’s that.

For me, Amber Heard ( All the Boys Love Mandy Lane , John Carpenter’s  The Ward ) works really well as Grace. She’s laid back and any kind of make-up is toned down completely. I also liked her scenes with the boy, Martin, who is played equally well by the young Lorenzo McGovern Zaini.

I didn’t care very much for Eduardo Noriega in  In the Fire . He plays the father of Martin, and he just did not work for me overall. I loved him in Guillermo del Toro ‘s  The Devil’s Backbone  (2001) , but he doesn’t always work for me for some reason.  Mark of the Devil   was another example, but that movie just wasn’t good. Period.

“Do you know what grace means?”

As mentioned earlier, there are issues with the dialogue. Or rather, some lines are just straight-up eye-roll-inducing. Like when a native Spanish-speaking person asks the native English-speaking person named  Grace if she knows what “grace” means.

I’m sure it’s meant to be a moment of insight for Grace, but the woman is a licensed medical doctor at a time when few women were. I feel rather confident that she knows the word “grace”. Especially as it’s also her name. Still, it’s infinitely better than The Reckoning . And I did fear that particular movie would be a comparison when I first heard of the In the Fire  plot.

There’s also an issue with an inkblot test coming up. Again, we’re supposed to be in the 1890s but the Rorschach test wasn’t introduced until 1921. For me, these details matter. Maybe they won’t for you. And yes, sure, using inkblots or “ambiguous designs” was used to determine personality earlier. It was also used as a game of sorts.

However, it is very clearly explained that Grace, a doctor, is all about science. As such, it is heavily implied that her methods are inspired by the Rorschach test, which simply wasn’t a thing yet. In case you want to know a bit more about the Rorschach test and be a nerd like me, I’ve included a link to the Wikipedia page on it here .

Watch  In the Fire in theaters or at home

Conor Allyn is the director and co-writer of  In the Fire . A quick look at Conor Allyn’s IMDb page reveals that he is staying very busy these years. Producing a lot of TV movies and directing quite a few feature films. His previous movie was   No Man’s Land   from 2020.

The other writers are Pascal Borno and Silvio Muraglia. Having watched the movie, it is absolutely no surprise that it was written by three men. Also, Conor Allyn is the only one with any solid screenwriter experience whereas Pascal Borno and Silvio Muraglia usually focus on producing. Pascal Borno has produced movies such as the latest Children of the Corn   while Silvio Muraglia produced  Black Butterfly .

If you’re a fan of stories that focus on whether someone is actually influenced by the devil (or another demonic force of some kind), then you should check this out. It’s not a bad movie in that particular subgenre. For me, it’s just too slow and extremely predictable. I don’t think there was even one surprise along the way, which was a shame.

In the Fire will be available in theaters and at home from October 13, 2023. 

Director: Conor Allyn Writers: Conor Allyn, Pascal Borno, Silvio Muraglia Cast: Amber Heard, Eduardo Noriega, Lorenzo McGovern Zaini, Sophie Amber, Luca Calvani, Yari Gugliucci

A doctor from New York travels to a remote plantation in the 1890s to care for a disturbed boy who seems to have inexplicable abilities. She begins treating the child, but in doing so ignites a war of science versus religion with the local priest who believes the boy is possessed by the Devil and is the reason for all the village’s woes.

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About The Author

Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard

I write reviews and recaps on Heaven of Horror. And yes, it does happen that I find myself screaming, when watching a good horror movie. I love psychological horror, survival horror and kick-ass women. Also, I have a huge soft spot for a good horror-comedy. Oh yeah, and I absolutely HATE when animals are harmed in movies, so I will immediately think less of any movie, where animals are harmed for entertainment (even if the animals are just really good actors). Fortunately, horror doesn't use this nearly as much as comedy. And people assume horror lovers are the messed up ones. Go figure!

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In the Fire Reviews

While beautifully shot and filled with great emotional performances, In the Fire isn't quite the smart horror it presents itself to be. It falls into every generic trap imaginable and is easily one of the most predictable films of the year.

Full Review | Oct 28, 2023

The film is destined to be ignored as it bounces from one streaming service to another in the near future, and as rudimentary and familiar as this subtle scare-fest may be, part of me can’t help but think that’s frustratingly too bad.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Oct 19, 2023

A commendable exercise in classic, gothic-infused horror that is worth watching on the small screen. Genre fans would appreciate it, especially those blessed with a little patience. [Full Review in Spanish]

Full Review | Oct 19, 2023

For a movie about a sinister child unintentionally terrorizing a small town, it lacks any real suspense.

Full Review | Original Score: C | Oct 16, 2023

Despite the title, there’s not much heat in this slow-burning horror saga, which is more tedious than suspenseful.

Full Review | Oct 14, 2023

A pretty awful starring vehicle for the actor that she also produced, a film unlikely to produce many sparks beyond those set off by the morbidly curious.

Full Review | Oct 13, 2023

It’s problems are many, such as stilted dialogue and predictable genre tropes, and there’s a general sense that this movie wouldn’t even exist if Heard had passed on it.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Oct 13, 2023

There's a considerable flaw in the calculation of this tale ... and it leads to a sour, hypocritical conclusion...

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Oct 13, 2023

This isn't entertainment, it's an endurance test.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/4 | Oct 12, 2023

A shallow, tedious and forgettable horror thriller that suffers from clunkiness, stilted dialogue, lazy exposition and a lackluster plot that's dark, but very low on suspense and intrigue. Amber Heard is miscast here and gives hammy performance.

Full Review | Oct 12, 2023

In the Fire bandies back-and-forth between science and religious doctrine, and ultimately delivers an engrossing thriller which contains some of Amber Heard’s best work.

Full Review | Original Score: 6.5/10 | Oct 12, 2023

Some passion does emerge from performances, but wilder swings of condemnation, along with romantic entanglements, take material that initially feels invested in reality and turns it into a soap opera.

Full Review | Original Score: C | Oct 11, 2023

Fails as a crisis of faith/science drama and a supernatural thriller; in the fire is where it belongs

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/5 | Oct 9, 2023

The Hollywood Outsider – Film and Television Podcast | Reviews An award-winning film and television podcast for the fan in all of us

In the Fire (2023) | Film Review

Aaron B. Peterson October 11, 2023

The war between science and religion has existed for centuries. Critical thought and spirituality do not always run parallel, and when they collide, it can happen in stupendous fashion. This is the cross to bear for Grace (Amber Heard), an alienist summoned to a Spanish plantation in the 1890s to assess Martin (a chilling Lorenzo McGovern Zaini), a young boy with off-colored eyes who is surrounded by tragedy. Is Martin a tad on the spectrum, in need of psychiatric assistance, or is he a vehicle for the Devil, as the locals theorize? In the Fire seeks to explore these questions.

Grace emerges on the scene fueled by her own fire, determined to educate these peasants on the advances of science. Even Martin’s father, Don Marquez (Eduardo Noriega), a rancher and cowboy, has succumbed to the belief that his son is the instrument of evil. Even resulting to keeping Martin locked away from the ire of locals who have been spurred on by the dark warnings of Father Gavira. As Grace attempts to forge a bond with Martin, she observes a few strange occurrences herself, yet she insists there is a scientific explanation for these events.

Written and directed by Conor Allyn (along with co-writers Pascal Borno and Silvio Muraglia), the filmmaker is not breaking new ground with In the Fire , as the backdrop of science vs. religion and “is he or isn’t he evil” has made its way to celluloid a time or two over the years. That does not take away from the layered approach and unique attempt at amplifying the psychology of it all.

Though there are a few narrative missteps (inkblots were not widely used until the 1920s and the romantic sections of the film are decidedly forced), this is an entertaining mystery which plays fair with its audience. The only insight into Martin’s mind is through the eyes of the characters obsessed with him, creating that notion of this could honestly go either way: devil or savant. As Grace studies her client, Allyn’s film continues to demonstrate how deeply fear perpetuates a community, fueling irrational hate and disdain. Anyone who doubts this angst would fester in this way – commoners desperate for anyone to blame for their woes and willing to take despicable action – have failed to pay attention to the world at large these past few years.

Amber Heard gives a surprisingly multifaceted performance as Grace, elevating what could easily dissolve into just another throwaway role in a genre piece. Subtle character tics such as patting her stomach as she attempts to gather her composure or her genuine vulnerability as she shares her fears with Martin, imbues Grace with a heightened sense of dignity and nobility which keeps the audience invested. Often relegated to femme fatales, Heard seizes the opportunity to showcase her talent and carry the film across the finish line.

The Hollywood Outsider Review Score

Performances - 7, screenplay - 6, production - 6.5.

In the Fire succeeds largely due to Amber Heard's earnest performance.

Listen to our full review of In the Fire  on this episode of  The Hollywood Outsider podcast :

Tags amber heard conor alynn Eduardo Noriega in the fire Lorenzo McGovern Zaini

About Aaron B. Peterson

IN THE FIRE : An Enigmatic Battle Between Science And Religion

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Ketan Koparkar is a Film Critic and writer from India.…

In the Fire (2023) is a captivating and thought-provoking cinematic experience that delves into the electrifying clash between science and religion. With a talented cast led by the remarkable Amber Heard , who portrays the compassionate New York doctor, Dr. Grace Burner, the film transports viewers to the haunting backdrop of a remote plantation in the 1890s, setting the stage for a mesmerizing battle of beliefs and mysteries.

One of the film’s most striking achievements is its skillful handling of the controversial topic surrounding the extremes of religion. It sheds light on how some individuals lose their capacity for complex thinking in the face of religious themes and ideas, while others seize these beliefs to control and dominate those who genuinely worship and believe. This thematic exploration adds depth and nuance to the narrative, making it a compelling and thought-provoking watch.

Blazing Performances

Amber Heard ‘s performance is nothing short of breathtaking. Her character undergoes dynamic development throughout the film, and Heard delivers a powerful portrayal that keeps viewers engaged and invested in her journey. However, it’s Lorenzo McGovern Zaini ‘s portrayal of Martin Marquez that truly steals the show. Despite facing degradation, Martin unwaveringly supports Dr. Burner , and McGovern Zaini ‘s performance is a standout, resonating with viewers long after the credits roll.

The film masterfully navigates the age-old conflict between science and faith, with a formidable local priest representing the latter. The confrontations between the characters ignite sparks that illuminate the central theme of the film—the blurred line between supernatural and scientific explanations for the unexplained. This exploration of the boundary between reason and spirituality adds layers of intrigue to the narrative.

While In the Fire  may feel slightly stretched out just before its climax, it quickly recovers with high-pitched, well-executed dramatic confrontations that bring audiences back to the edge of their seats. The film’s ability to maintain tension and engagement is a testament to its storytelling prowess.

Throughout its runtime, In the Fire  offers a mesmerizing dance of faith, doubt, and the unknown. It captivates audiences with stunning visuals that transport them to the remote plantation setting, immersing them in the film’s world. The narrative is thought-provoking, challenging viewers to contemplate the boundaries of reason and spirituality in a world filled with mystery.

Conclusion: Step in the Fire

Amber Heard ‘s stellar performance, supported by actors like Eduardo Noriega and the scene-stealing Lorenzo McGovern Zaini , and Sophie Amber as Marin’s mother ensures that In the Fire is a must-see for fans of thrilling dramas that push the boundaries of human belief. This film is a cinematic journey that will leave you pondering long after the credits roll, making it a standout addition to the genre. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness this clash of beliefs unfold on the big screen; In the Fire is a cinematic gem that demands attention and could really make a great weekend venture.

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Ketan Koparkar is a Film Critic and writer from India. Working through passion for storytelling. I took up screenwriting for which I recieved 1497 Screenwriting fellowship and completed the screenwriting course at FTII (Film and Television Institute of India).

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In the Fire

Where to Watch

Amber Heard (Grace Burnham) Eduardo Noriega (Nicolas Marquez) Sophie Amber (Isabelle) Luca Calvani (Father Antonio) Monica Contini (Maria) Yari Gugliucci (Father Gavira) Herbert Ignacio (Temo) Lorenzo McGovern Zaini (Martin Marquez) Jorge Melgar (Bearded Vaquero) Ernesto Molina Samperio (Andres)

Conor Allyn

A doctor travels to a remote plantation to care for a disturbed boy who has inexplicable abilities. She ignites a war of science versus religion with the local priest who believes the boy is possessed by the Devil.

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The 69th Taormina Film Festival in Sicily saw the world premiere Saturday of the paranormal psychological thriller “In the Fire,” which marks the return to the big screen of Amber Heard following two highly publicized trials involving her former husband Johnny Depp .

On the turquoise carpet (the color was chosen to match the Mediterranean, which serves as a stupendous backdrop), Heard greeted a crowd of fans — accompanied by paparazzi and tourists — who shouted words of encouragement at the “Aquaman” star.

Popular on Variety

“I was relieved to see how they shouted for her. After all the stuff being yelled online at this beautiful human being,” said Heard’s co-star, Italian actor Luca Calvani (“The Man From U.N.C.L.E.”).

The film’s production had been bracketed by the first trial in London in 2020, which denied Depp’s suit of defamation, and the second in Virginia in 2022, which Heard left the shoot in Guatemala to attend. (The film also shot on location in Ostuni, Italy). “The trial was looming over us. We felt the gravity of this huge media machine building against all of us, and the camaraderie of the shoot felt like a good distraction,” Calvani said.

Heard responded to some questions from Variety in writing, although the subject of Depp was off limits. “I feel honored to be part of this labor of love and to be the lead in [director] Conor Allyn’s vision,” she wrote. “I feel lucky to be surrounded by such an amazing cast. They’re as dedicated and magical as the characters they play.”

Heard plays Grace, an outsider from New York who travels to South America to work as a doctor. There, she faces hostility, partly from the volcanic landscape as well as the fact that she is a woman practicing psychiatry at the birth of the science, only a few years after Sigmund Freud published his first books.

She is called to a remote farm in the Colombian countryside to treat a young boy (Lorenzo McGovern), who the locals — led by a charismatic Jesuit priest (Yari Gugliucci) — believe to be possessed by the devil. His father, played by Eduardo Noriega, first treats Grace with contempt before being won over.

Allyn told Variety he met Heard while developing a serial killer TV drama set in Colombia a few years earlier. When that project stalled in 2022, Heard read the script for “In the Fire” and agreed to work on what Allyn describes as a “a gothic Gaucho western” after she had finished her “Aquaman 2” commitment.

“When Amber showed up in Italy to shoot, she was a force to be reckoned with. She was a star who was amazing in front of the camera, but also was a partner in crime behind the camera,” Allyn said. “Once we started shooting, it was from Day One a comfort blanket to have her there. I knew I could point the camera at her, and I would get something good.”

Whether or not the film will move the narrative on from Heard’s legal affairs is yet to be seen, but Allyn hopes for a “mega-comeback.” Calvani agreed enthusiastically: “Amber is back. She’s great; she is radiant; she’s a good actor and she is resilient.”

“In the Fire” was produced by Angel Oak Films, ILBE and Paradox.

Heard will also be appearing in “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” which is due for release later this year.

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In the Fire Review: Amber Heard Stumbles Through a Grim Period Piece

Florence Pugh's Netflix film The Wonder comes to mind in Heard's first feature after her televised trial against ex Johnny Depp.

Science or religion? That is the question. Or perhaps a better question for a movie like In the Fire is, "Would this movie exist if Amber Heard didn't sign on?" The premise kept reminding me of Florence Pugh's Netflix film The Wonder — no, not Terrence Malick's To the Wonder with Ben Affleck. In her movie, Pugh plays a doctor traveling to a remote village to investigate a child with suspiciously special powers, and with In the Fire , Heard plays a similar role as a doctor who ventures into South America to see if a boy is, in fact, magically powered by the devil himself. Pugh is Oscar-nominated, Heard is not.

But that's not to say she hasn't been in the news recently, especially following her court trial against ex Johnny Depp and the mostly pointless Netflix project that followed. Heard has starred in better films — Zombieland, The Danish Girl, The Rum Diary — and seems a bit out of place for a project like In the Fire . It certainly has some breathtaking visuals and a couple decent supporting turns, but In the Fire is a bit dull and feels like something we've seen on the big screen over the years.

Meet a 'Damien' in Training

Co-writer/director Conor Allyn's new supernatural drama opens on a sort of baptism gone wrong, potentially thanks to a young boy named Martin (Lorenzo McGovern Zaini), who appears to have some sort of demonic power. He resides in a South American community, which is soon visited by Dr. Grace Burnham (Heard), an alienist who is there to investigate such questionable claims about what's behind the mysterious boy's eyes. "If there is a sick boy here, then I will see him," is just one of the clunky lines Heard stumbles through as she takes on this role of a fierce, determined doctor.

After her first meeting with Martin, we learn there is more to the story than what meets the eye: He is charismatic, can speak English as a second language, and can also play the violin pretty darn well. But then, Martin's conflicted dad, Nicolas (Eduardo Noriega), starts to reveal more about why exactly Martin is ostracized, recounting his wife's second childbirth gone wrong, a horseback riding accident, and other grim details.

"It is a matter of science, and we will solve it as one," Grace reiterates amid growing doubt across the village about her intentions, which are a stark contrast to what the townsfolk feel and believe. It doesn't help that Martin looks like young Damien from The Omen films (both the original and remake), but Grace remains hopeful as she continues her therapy sessions with him. They visit the grave of Martin's mother together, she shows him Rorschach images, etc.

An Irrational Romance

There is another parental figure in Martin's life: Father Antonio (Luca Calvani), who looks after Martin, which almost costs him his life at one point. The hotheaded villagers aren't exactly peaceful with their beliefs. There are sick animals in the village, and the "demonic" Martin is the first to take the blame. Plus, Martin even offers food to young children who are starving in town, which Grace admires — but then, the boys end up dead. His fault? Hmm...

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When Grace goes to meet with one of the village heads, Father Gavira (Yari Gugliucci), to try and sway everyone toward science, that doesn't exactly go well either. It's most certainly the film's centerpiece of a scene, with Grace taking a public whipping as punishment for being "a witch." In MovieWeb's recent interview with director Allyn, he revealed how Heard was drawn to the project after reading about these characters who are bullied and ostracized by society for their beliefs, which are current issues today that Heard has dealt with in the recent past.

But even after this horrific punishment scene, Grace stands firm with her beliefs. She calls it " savant syndome " as Martin's official diagnosis. She thinks Martin was born with the ability to access parts of the brain that many don't know exist, which Nicolas refuses to believe. "Those people are scared, and they need someone to blame," she tells Nicolas. The two are drawn to each other during Grace's stay, leading to a romantic fling in between therapy sessions with Martin. Is it believable that Nicolas would warm up to Grace to such a degree? Eh.

'What Is Your Lie?'

Besides the public lashing, another climactic moment comes when Nicolas' home goes up in flames. Martin, meanwhile, is in the church crying "You are mine!" over and over again, and locals can't help but think that he's the one who started the flames at his own residence. Grace denies it, of course, and relentlessly continues hoping for Martin's well-being, despite the violent pushback all around her.

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Another chilling moment comes during a therapy session, when Martin flips the script and poses a daunting question back at Grace: "What is your lie?" A teary-eyed Grace thinks she's a fraud, especially since her efforts with Martin don't seem to be going anywhere. Nicolas disagrees and ends up thanking Grace for trying, but he might be biased because he's also falling for Grace on a romantic level.

Then, the plague strikes their community, and guess who becomes a glaring target? The locals go after Martin, and Grace is there to try and protect him. "Get behind me, Martin!" she cries during a tense moment — and could this be a Biblical reference, when Jesus turns to Peter and says, "Get behind me, Satan"? If so, it's clever for sure. Other than that, some of the film's highlights include its overall cinematography, a slightly desaturated color palette to match the grim tone, and the aforementioned visuals, a nice change of scenery, certainly help. In our interview with Allyn, he confirmed young actor Lorenzo wore special contact lenses to achieve those frightening eyes of his. He's an impressive young star, perhaps with a bright Hollywood future ahead of him. Otherwise, In the Fire just feels weirdly clumsy and unoriginal.

From Saban Films , In the Fire is now in theaters, on demand and on digital.

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Where to watch

In the fire.

Directed by Conor Allyn

A doctor from New York travels to a remote plantation in the 1890s to care for a disturbed boy who seems to have inexplicable abilities. She begins treating the child, but in doing so, ignites a war between science and religion as the local priest believes the boy is possessed by the devil and the cause of the village's woes.

Amber Heard Eduardo Noriega Lorenzo McGovern Zaini Luca Calvani Herbert Ignacio Monica Contini Yari Gugliucci Ernesto Molina Sophie Amber Romain Palacci Isabella Benetton Mattia Losacco

Director Director

Conor Allyn

Producers Producers

Silvio Muraglia Andrea Iervolino Monika Bacardi Pascal Borno Alain Gillissen

Writers Writers

Silvio Muraglia Conor Allyn Pascal Borno

Casting Casting

Catherine Stroud Lisa London

Editor Editor

Marco Perez

Cinematography Cinematography

Simone Moglie Matt Bendo

Assistant Director Asst. Director

Icaro Lorenzoni

Executive Producers Exec. Producers

Amber Heard Conor Allyn Andrea Zoso Shanan Becker Ness Saban Danielle Maloni Jonathan Saba Harry Finkel

Camera Operator Camera Operator

Pietro Comini

Additional Photography Add. Photography

Karim Benhadj Luigi Piepoli

Production Design Production Design

Francesco Scandale

Composer Composer

Teho Teardo

Costume Design Costume Design

Sabrina Beretta

Angel Oak Films Paradox Studios Iervolino & Lady Bacardi Entertainment RS Productions Saban Films Margate House Films

Releases by Date

24 jun 2023, 14 sep 2023, 13 oct 2023, 23 nov 2023, 06 nov 2023, 19 jan 2024, 26 jan 2024, releases by country.

• Physical 16
• Premiere Taormina Film Festival
• Theatrical 6+

Popular reviews

Review by hustlerss ★★★★

the 0.5 star reviews know they’re just lying. im assuming they didn’t even watch it and are just review bombing on… Letterboxd? of all platforms? alright

a bit stronger than i expected all around, although the pacing really managed to drag sometimes depsite being less than 90 minutes.

Amber Heard carries herself with such power, delivering a truly great performance to a film that could have fallen flat otherwise. i would recommend this for her alone. an at times grueling, intense role and she gives it her all, for the betterment of the film, also marking a new standout performance in her career

Review by slidingaway ★★★★★ 13

such an amazing & stunning film. visually amazing, amazing supporting cast and a brilliant performance from Amber. 10’s are due.

Review by kie ★★★★★ 4

amber heard you are a national treasure

Review by shane ★★★★★

In The Fire already being review bombed due to the misogynistic smear campaign launched against Amber Heard interestingly (and sadly) mirrors the film’s thesis: that blind ignorance can be a horror worse than any kind of supernatural element. 

In The Fire has been one of my most anticipated films of the year, and while it may be more of a drama than a thriller, it’s definitely one of the most effective films of the year in showing the deeply upsetting ramifications of societal ignorance; I really truly felt the pain and sadness of the characters who are forced to live within it. To try to reason with people who refuse to listen...

beautiful cinematography, beautiful costumes, and an especially strong…

Review by Tomás A. ★★★★★ 1

amber heard serving cunt for 87 minutes straight

Review by B E R T ★★★½ 2

Possession films have been done to death, this does it differently and the result is surprisingly really good. A fantastic mix of drama and horror, with a strong lead performance by Amber Heard and excellent supporting cast. Props to the director and crew for making a low budget indie film look so slick and not low budget indie at all.

Review by joe 🫧 ★★★ 2

truly one of ambers best performances. I don’t wanna see amber left out of the ‘women in the horror’ posts from this point on.

Review by luke ★★★★★

So true Amber Heard you're the greatest.

Review by seydouxing ★★★★

It was so painful to watch because of how similar this story is to public treatment of Amber Heard

Review by eva 🇧🇷 ★★★★★

In the fire managed to surprise me.

The film is far from being a daring horror or something we've never seen before, and in many parts it even becomes cliché, but the film’s direction and photography leave you extremely captivated.

Science x church is something that is still discussed in present, so I found the topic relevant and the history was captivated.. AND THE III ACT... JUST WOW!!!

I have no words to describe the incredible performance of Amber Heard who is brillant in the role as Dr. Grace. 

AMBER HEARD YOU ARE AMAZING!!!!!

Review by amberrav ★★★★

The visuals, the sets, and the costumes are all so beautiful. Can't wait to watch this film again once it comes out in theatres.

Review by kim 🪽 ★★★★★

"If he exists, God abandoned us a long time ago"

I loved the score and cinematography. The young actor who played Martín is extremely talented. A triumphant return to screen for Amber Heard. Her strength and resilience continues to inspire and amaze me. 👏🏼

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In the Fire

Cast & crew.

Amber Heard

Grace Burnham

Eduardo Noriega

Nicolas Marquez

Lorenzo McGovern Zaini

Luca Calvani

Father Antonio

Sophie Amber

• Average 4.3

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• "A film that brazenly emulates a type of film seen countless times since “The Exorcist” spawned countless imitators in the half-century since."  Brian Farvour : The Playlist
• "A film unlikely to produce many sparks beyond those set off by the morbidly curious."  Brian Lowry : CNN
• "It’s interesting enough, but too long (and slow) as well as very predictable. (...) Rating: ★★ (out of 5)"  Karina Adelgaard : Heaven of Horror

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In the Fire

• Aisle Seat Mike McGranaghan This isn't entertainment, it's an endurance test.
• Mark Reviews Movies Mark Dujsik There's a considerable flaw in the calculation of this tale ... and it leads to a sour, hypocritical conclusion...
• Blu-ray.com Brian Orndorf Some passion does emerge from performances, but wilder swings of condemnation, along with romantic entanglements, take material that initially feels invested in reality and turns it into a soap opera.
• NYC Movie Guru Avi Offer A shallow, tedious and forgettable horror thriller that suffers from clunkiness, stilted dialogue, lazy exposition and a lackluster plot that's dark, but very low on suspense and intrigue. Amber Heard is miscast here and gives hammy performance.
• The Hollywood Outsider Aaron Peterson In the Fire bandies back-and-forth between science and religious doctrine, and ultimately delivers an engrossing thriller which contains some of Amber Heard's best work.
• Punch Drunk Critics Travis Hopson It's problems are many, such as stilted dialogue and predictable genre tropes, and there's a general sense that this movie wouldn't even exist if Heard had passed on it.
• Cinemalogue Todd Jorgenson Despite the title, there's not much heat in this slow-burning horror saga, which is more tedious than suspenseful.
• CNN.com Brian Lowry A pretty awful starring vehicle for the actor that she also produced, a film unlikely to produce many sparks beyond those set off by the morbidly curious.
• The Playlist Brian Farvour For a movie about a sinister child unintentionally terrorizing a small town, it lacks any real suspense.
• Nestor Cine Desde Hollywood Nestor Bentancor A commendable exercise in classic, gothic-infused horror that is worth watching on the small screen. Genre fans would appreciate it, especially those blessed with a little patience. [Full Review in Spanish]
• MovieFreak.com Sara Michelle Fetters The film is destined to be ignored as it bounces from one streaming service to another in the near future, and as rudimentary and familiar as this subtle scare-fest may be, part of me can't help but think that's frustratingly too bad.
• CBR Sergio Pereira While beautifully shot and filled with great emotional performances, In the Fire isn't quite the smart horror it presents itself to be. It falls into every generic trap imaginable and is easily one of the most predictable films of the year.

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Enter by Fire (2023) Stream and Watch Online

Looking to feast your eyes on ' Enter by Fire ' in the comfort of your own home? Discovering a streaming service to buy, rent, download, or watch the Luke Wildwood-directed movie via subscription can be difficult, so we here at Moviefone want to do the work for you. Read on for a listing of streaming and cable services - including rental, purchase, and subscription options - along with the availability of 'Enter by Fire' on each platform when they are available. Now, before we get into the various whats and wheres of how you can watch 'Enter by Fire' right now, here are some finer points about the flick. Released October 10th, 2023, 'Enter by Fire' stars Jazlyn Moore The movie has a runtime of about 14 min, and received a user score of (out of 100) on TMDb, which collated reviews from respected users. Curious to know what the movie's about? Here's the plot: "While taking pictures alone, a woman discovers something evil behind her in a photo, descending her into a fire of madness." .

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"...is another standout feature of the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K. With faster and more reliable Wi-Fi connectivity, you can enjoy smooth streaming and..." Read more

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Flickering Myth

Geek Culture | Movies, TV, Comic Books & Video Games

Movie Review – Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)

August 31, 2023 by Brad Cook

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny , 2023.

Directed by James Mangold. Starring Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas, John Rhys-Davies, Toby Jones, Boyd Holbrook, Ethann Isidore, and Mads Mikkelsen.

The fifth and final Indiana Jones movie, The Dial of Destiny , arrives in a digital edition that includes a making-of that runs nearly an hour. The film is a fun, albeit a bit long, romp around the world that sends our hero off with style, and the making-of does a good job of balancing nostalgia for the series with the production of this movie.

Everything ends, eventually. That’s a bitter pill to swallow for us Gen X movie fans who grew up in the 70s and 80s. Unfortunately, some of us have become as bitter as those pills, but in my case, I can appreciate a bit of wistful nostalgia while accepting the fact that the world moves on.

That’s certainly the feeling I had leaving the theater after watching Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny , which my 16-year-old son declared boring and headed to the lobby about half an hour in. How dare he be his own person?!

I’m kidding, of course. That experience just reinforced my desire to carve out a special spot in my heart for the Lucas and Spielberg movies I grew up with while realizing that a new generation may not feel the same way, and that’s okay. My son and I share some things, such as an appreciate of Cowboy Bebop , but I’ll never grok something like JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure , and he’ll never grok Indiana Jones movies. That’s fine.

So, with that out of the way, the movie! I suppose its disappointing box office performance shows that there are more people like my son out there, despite what Disney may have thought when it green-lit a fifth and final Indy movie. If that’s the reality of the situation, I’m fine with that, and they can get off my lawn.

It will never be possible to get back the thrill of the first three Indy films ( Temple of Doom has its moments), but Dial of Destiny does a much better job of that than its predecessor, the tepid Kingdom of the Crystal Skull .

The action opens in 1944 as Indy and his buddy Basil Shaw, an Oxford archaeologist, try to retrieve the artifact the Lance of Longinus from the loot the Nazis have stored in a French castle and are trying to bring back to Germany. The lance turns out to be a fake, but Indy and Basil end up getting a piece of Archimedes’ Dial, also known as the Antikythera Mechanism, from the main bad guy, Jürgen Voller.

Indy is a de-aged Harrison Ford during this extended prologue, and the effect works pretty well. It’s hard for me to objectively assess modern de-aging techniques, since I’m well aware that it’s a digital effect, but I was able to suspend disbelief and just go with it. I suppose the true test of de-aging is to have someone watch this movie without knowing anything about Harrison Ford ahead of time.

Then we jump ahead to 1969 and Harrison Ford takes over in all his 80-year-old glory. Indiana Jones is about to retire as a college professor, but it’s not a time of celebration for him. His son, Mutt, died in the Vietnam War, his wife Marion has filed for divorce, and his students are more interested in the Apollo 11 astronauts who have returned from the moon than in hearing about ancient artifacts.

He doesn’t have much time for melancholy, however, because his goddaughter Helena Shaw, daughter of Basil, comes back into his life with an interest in the piece of Archimedes’ Dial. Jürgen Voller is still around too, and soon he and his goons are in pursuit of Indy and Helena because they want the artifact too.

Jürgen wants it so he can find the other part of the Dial and use the reassembled artifact to go back in time and ensure the Nazis don’t lose World War II. Indy would like to stop them, of course, and Helena has her own motivations that don’t quite line up with Indy’s desires. The resulting chases take our heroes to far-flung locales before building to a climax that’s not really out of sync with typical Indiana Jones movies, despite how jarring it may be.

With a 153-minute runtime, Dial of Destiny could have used a bit of editing, especially during a chase sequence in Tangier that goes on a bit long. I’m not sure why so many filmmakers these days feel the need to consistently blow past the two-hour mark. In the case of the four previous Indy movies, all of them were able to wrap up their stories right around 120 minutes.

But that said, Dial of Destiny is a fun ride, especially for moviegoers like me who just want to enjoy some nostalgia as we contemplate a retirement full of watching all those films we’ve collected over the years.

In the case of this one, Disney gave me a code for a digital copy redeemable at Movies Anywhere. The sole bonus feature is a making-of that runs nearly an hour and does a good job of covering the production, along with a nice reflection on the series at the beginning. The only thing I would have liked to see added was some background information on the starts and stops that led to the making of this film.

As of the writing of this review, the expected Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD editions of Dial of Destiny haven’t been announced yet, so I don’t know how they’ll compare to this digital edition. Hopefully they’ll have more bonus features, and maybe Disney will eventually make a nice long documentary that looks at all five films.  

Flickering Myth Rating  – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★

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Based on the book by the best-selling author of Wonder, this uplifting movie shows how one act of kindness can live on forever. Based on the book by the best-selling author of Wonder, this uplifting movie shows how one act of kindness can live on forever. Based on the book by the best-selling author of Wonder, this uplifting movie shows how one act of kindness can live on forever.

• Marc Forster
• Mark Bomback
• R.J. Palacio
• Gillian Anderson
• Helen Mirren
• Olivia Ross
• 4 User reviews
• 19 Critic reviews

• Mlle Petitjean

• Jean Paul Beaumier

• Gendarme Marc

• Rabbi Bernstein

• Milice Commander

• German Soldier 1

• Young man with Georges 2
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Did you know

• Trivia Originally set for a release on September 16, 2022, it was pushed to October 14, 2022. Later that month, the film was quietly removed from the schedule and pushed to August 25, 2023, due to underperforming at the Fall (2021 box office and pushed again to an unspecified date due to the SAG-AFTRA strike.
• Connections Follows Wonder (2017)
• Soundtracks It Can't Be Wrong written by Kim Gannon, Max Steiner Performed by Vera Lynn

User reviews 4

• salehhbaish
• Apr 14, 2024
• How long is White Bird? Powered by Alexa
• October 4, 2024 (United States)
• United States
• Alas blancas
• Czech Republic
• Kingdom Story Company
• Lionsgate Films
• See more company credits at IMDbPro

Technical specs

• Runtime 2 hours
• Dolby Digital

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By Robert Daniels

Stream it on Netflix .

The espionage action-thriller “13 Bombs” acutely blends quick back-stabbing with big explosions. In the film, interest rates and economic inequality are running rampant in Jakarta, Indonesia. To even the odds, a Robin Hood-type group, led by a mysterious figure code-named Arok (Rio Dewanto), has planted 13 bombs across the city that will explode if the group isn’t paid a ransom in crypto cash. As a result, two unwitting crypto traders named Oscar (Chicco Kurniawan) and William (Ardhito Pramono) are picked up by Karin (Putri Ayudya), a steely counterintelligence agent who is worried about a mole in her ranks.

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‘The Childe’

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