A controversial reboot of a classic Stephen King thriller is set to air on Film4 tonight, but the film has been met with a fierce backlash from fans, with some declaring it 'so bad it should never have been made'.
A Modern Take on a Classic Tale
The 2022 film Firestarter is a modern retelling of the same Stephen King novel that inspired the beloved 1984 version starring Drew Barrymore. This new adaptation follows young Charlie McGee, played by Ryan Kiera Armstrong, who possesses dangerous pyrokinesis. She is forced to flee with her parents, Andy (Zac Efron) and Vicky (Sydney Lemmon), from a clandestine government agency known as 'The Shop', which seeks to weaponise her growing powers.
As Charlie's abilities, fuelled by anger and pain, become increasingly volatile, a catastrophic incident reveals their location. This sets them on a desperate run from the agency's relentless operative, Rainbird (Michael Greyeyes), with Charlie struggling to control her fiery gift.
Fan Fury Over a 'Toothless' Remake
Despite the promising source material, the remake has garnered decidedly mixed reactions, with many viewers savaging it online. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, one disappointed fan summarised: 'While Zac Efron turns in a committed, grounded performance... Firestarter ultimately falls flat as a lackluster and toothless remake.' They criticised its lack of cinematic tension, comparing it to a generic TV movie.
The sentiment was echoed widely. Another viewer stated bluntly: 'The opening sequence alone is enough to tell you the production is terrible. This is a lousy remake of a classic King movie.' Further criticism highlighted poor acting, a rushed narrative, and a perceived disrespect for the original novel. 'Did they even read the book?' asked one exasperated commenter.
A Few Defenders in the Ashes
Not all feedback was negative. A handful of fans found merit in the reinterpretation, arguing it was unfairly maligned. One supporter wrote: 'I have no idea why this movie received such bad reviews. I thoroughly enjoyed it.' They praised the portrayal of Charlie as more dangerous and the updated characterisation of Rainbird, concluding it was a 'good fun popcorn movie'.
Another noted that viewers should adjust their expectations, viewing it not as a horror but as a 'super power action fantasy movie', though they admitted it could be slow and repetitive at times.
The 2022 version of Firestarter is scheduled to air on Film4 on Saturday 17 January at 12.20am, allowing UK audiences to decide for themselves whether this modern take ignites a spark or merely fizzles out.
