When a Superhero Origin Turns into a Nightmare

In my personal opinion, Brightburn is one of those rare genre films that had a clear idea, a defined tone, and a lot of potential — but was somehow forgotten. The premise wasn’t revolutionary by today’s standards — the "evil Superman" trope has been revisited many times now — but Brightburn did it with a raw, unsettling realism. It didn’t want to be flashy. It wanted to be terrifying. And in many ways, it succeeded.

Watching a young boy discover his powers while also realizing his violent, alien nature was genuinely disturbing. The movie didn’t hold our hand. It let us see the slow decay of innocence, the shock of helpless parents, and the unstoppable force their adopted child was becoming. It was short, sharp, and brutal. And it worked.

A Universe That Almost Was

What made Brightburn even more intriguing was its ending. That post-credit tease of other superpowered beings hinted at a kind of "Injustice League" or dark cinematic universe of corrupted heroes. It was bold. It was ambitious. And then... nothing.

The film was produced by James Gunn and written by his family members Brian and Mark Gunn. With names like that attached, it felt like a safe bet for expansion. But the truth is more complicated. The movie didn’t perform poorly at the box office — it made over $30 million on a budget of around $6 million — but it wasn’t a breakout hit either. Add to that the rise of shows like The Boys, which dominated the “evil superhero” narrative with more budget and more buzz, and Brightburn faded into the shadows.

There are rumors that Brightburn suffered from studio indecision. Perhaps there was no clear vision for where to go next. Maybe they feared the concept had already peaked. And it’s true — in the post-Boys, post-Invincible world, the “dark superhero” concept can feel a little crowded.

But There’s Still a Place for It

And yet... I still believe Brightburn has something unique to offer. While The Boys is satirical and political, Brightburn is mythic and horror-driven. It doesn’t make fun of the superhero genre — it turns it into a nightmare. It’s not about mocking power. It’s about the fear of power without empathy.

There’s a version of this universe that could thrive today. A miniseries, perhaps, exploring different corners of this twisted reality. What if there was a dark version of Wonder Woman? Or an evil Aquaman sinking coastal cities? Done with a horror mindset — and not just action or gore — this could be the start of something thrillingly dark.

Even a direct sequel with Brandon, now fully embracing his alien identity, could be fascinating. Would he seek out others like him? Would he rule? Would he destroy? We never got the answers. But we should have.

Does Brightburn deserve a sequel or a shared universe?