🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Carlos Brooks
- Genre: Thriller, Horror, Drama
- Release year: 2010
- Runtime (length): 1h 29min
- IMDb rating: 5.8/10 (13k votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 43%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A girl cancels her college plans, a tiger gets hungry, and Meat Loaf regrets his career choices all in one very intense, boarded-up house.
🍿 Burning Bright: Detailed Plot Synopsis
A Sister’s Dilemma
Kelly Taylor faces a difficult choice: pursue her college dreams or continue caring for her autistic younger brother, Tom. Their mother’s recent death and their strained relationship with their stepfather, Johnny, adds to the complexity. Kelly attempts to enroll Tom in a specialized care facility, but financial issues quickly derail her plans.

The Safari Ranch
Johnny reveals he spent their inheritance on a Bengal tiger for a safari ranch he plans to open. As a hurricane approaches, the house is boarded up, trapping Kelly and Tom inside. Unbeknownst to them, Johnny has sinister intentions, setting the stage for a terrifying night.

Trapped!
Kelly discovers the tiger has been released into the house. With the storm raging outside and all exits sealed, she must protect herself and Tom from the ravenous predator. The siblings navigate a series of close calls as Kelly desperately seeks a means of escape, demonstrating courage and resourcefulness.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Kelly Taylor (Briana Evigan): A determined young woman who must protect her autistic brother from a tiger while trapped in a boarded-up house during a hurricane.
- Tom Taylor (Charlie Tahan): An autistic young boy who relies on his sister for survival as they navigate a deadly situation.
- Johnny Gaveneau (Garret Dillahunt): The sinister stepfather who orchestrates the siblings’ peril by releasing a tiger into their hurricane-proofed home for insurance money.
- Tiger (Katie, Schicka, Kismet): A ravenous Bengal tiger becomes a deadly predator when unleashed inside a house during a hurricane.
- Howie (Meat Loaf): The uncredited circus owner who sells the dangerous tiger to Johnny, setting the stage for the central conflict.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Johnny Gaveneau: “Look, I’m starting a safari ranch. This is my main attraction. I need, you know, a scary animal.” – Johnny explains his reasoning for purchasing the tiger, highlighting his twisted ambition.
- Howie: “Scary?” – Howie questions the scariness of the tiger Johnny bought.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $3 million
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: $58,147
💥 Burning Bright Reviews
Personal Review
I gotta say, ‘Burning Bright’ kept me on the edge of my seat! The idea of being trapped in a house with a hungry tiger is terrifying, and this movie sells it. I especially loved the laundry chute scene – so claustrophobic! Sure, some parts are a bit far-fetched, but it’s all about the thrill ride. Briana Evigan was awesome, and the tiger was genuinely scary. Definitely a fun watch if you’re into suspenseful creature features. The suspense gets very intense when they are trying to survive together.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of survival thrillers”
- “Viewers interested in stories about family relationships”
- “Those who enjoy movies with animal antagonists”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Intense scenes of animal violence”
- “Some disturbing content”
- “Threatening situations”
Professional Reviews
- Vital Thrills: “A suspenseful thriller with a unique premise, placing characters in a life-or-death situation with a real tiger. It’s thrilling, but be ready for the absurdity of it all.
- Movie Fan: “Though the plot stretches believability, ‘Burning Bright’ delivers on suspense. Briana Evigan shines, and the use of a real tiger adds to the terror. If you’re in for a wild ride, this one’s for you.
- Horror Aficionado: “A tense thriller with a straightforward plot. While predictable, the film effectively uses its limited setting and cast to create suspense. Briana Evigan and Charlie Tahan deliver compelling performances, with the tiger stealing the show. Enjoyable for a suspenseful night.
Audience Reactions
The use of a real tiger makes the movie more suspenseful.: Viewers praise the film’s suspense, noting the clever use of a confined setting to amplify the tension.
The ending contains an exciting twist that keeps people watching.: Most viewers were pleasantly surprised, praising Briana Evigan’s convincing lead performance.
Overall Consensus: A decent thriller with suspenseful moments and solid performances, despite its somewhat unbelievable plot.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Real tigers were used during filming, but the actors never directly interacted with them for safety reasons.”
- “The film’s title, “Burning Bright,” is inspired by the poem “The Tyger” by William Blake, reflecting themes of beauty and destruction.”
🖥️ How to Watch Burning Bright?
Burning Bright is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. Availability may vary depending on your region. Some platforms may offer free trials for new subscribers, providing a potential avenue to watch the movie without immediate cost.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Burning Bright, you might like these similar films:
- Crawl (2019): A young woman trapped during a hurricane must fight for her life against alligators in a flooded house, mirroring the intense survival scenario.
- Prey (2022): Features a predator hunting humans. Focused on survival against a powerful animal threat.
- The Shallows (2016): A stranded surfer battles a great white shark, creating a similar suspenseful, isolated fight for survival against a dangerous animal.
- Panic Room (2002): A mother and daughter trapped in their house must evade intruders, emphasizing the claustrophobic setting and fight for survival.
🛒 Burning Bright Related Products
- Bengal Tiger Plush Toy: A cuddly, realistic Bengal tiger plush, perfect for fans of the movie. Soft and detailed, this plush brings the wild thrill of ‘Burning Bright’ to your home.
- Survival Gear Kit: Prepare for any disaster, just like Kelly! This kit includes essentials like a flashlight, first aid supplies, and a multi-tool – everything you need to survive unexpected challenges.
- Home Security System: Protect your home from all threats with this system. Features include motion detectors, alarms, and remote monitoring. Stay safe and secure, inspired by the film’s themes of danger and protection.
- Personal Protection Device: Feel safe with this portable, self-defense device. Designed for ease of use, it provides an extra layer of security for women. Lightweight and compact for everyday use.
🎧 Soundtrack
Burning Bright features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Burning Bright was primarily filmed in Lancaster, California, specifically at the Club Ed Movie Set.
The main cast includes Briana Evigan as Kelly Taylor, Charlie Tahan as Tom Taylor, and Garret Dillahunt as Johnny Gaveneau.
Yes, the film primarily used real tigers, with the actors filming separately from the animals for safety reasons.
Burning Bright is a thriller about a young woman and her autistic brother who are trapped in a house with a ravenous tiger during a hurricane. It’s a story of survival and family bonds in the face of extreme danger.
🔥 Bonus Content
Burning Bright: Laundry Chute
Okay, this laundry chute scene from Burning Bright is seriously intense! It’s what got me hooked on the movie—you gotta see it to believe the suspense.
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