Burning

Burning

Year: 2021

Runtime: 86 min

Language: English

Director: Eva Orner

Echo Score: 78
Documentary

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.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Burning yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Burning (2021)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Burning (2021). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The story unfolds in contemporary times, reflecting modern societal issues like relationships and the impact of globalization. The presence of technology and changing lifestyles illustrate the challenges and complexities faced by individuals in today's world.

Location

Seoul, Paju, Nairobi

The movie takes place primarily in bustling Seoul, a vibrant city known for its modern architecture and rich culture. Paju, a rural area, serves as Jong-su's family cattle farm, contrasting the urban life he leads. Nairobi is briefly mentioned, highlighting a tragic event that shapes Hae-mi's journey.

🏙️ City 🌾 Rural 🌍 International

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:46

Main Characters – Burning (2021)

Meet the key characters of Burning (2021), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Lee Jong-su

Lee Jong-su is an ambitious young writer grappling with feelings of inadequacy and longing. His character evolves from a hopeful romantic to a man consumed by jealousy and paranoia, struggling to maintain control over his life and relationships. As events unfold, Jong-su’s vulnerability becomes evident, leading him to a tragic conclusion.

📖 Writer 🌌 Ambitious 😔 Vulnerable

Shin Hae-mi

Shin Hae-mi is a complex character who embodies the allure of mystery and the fragility of human connections. Her journey, from an excited traveler to a victim of manipulation, underscores her deeper struggles hidden beneath her charming exterior. Hae-mi's actions lead to pivotal changes in Jong-su's life, influencing the story's tragic trajectory.

🌍 Wanderer 💃 Mysterious 💔 Fragile

Ben

Ben is a charismatic yet unsettling figure, whose charm masks a darker side. His enigmatic interests, particularly in burning greenhouses, hint at underlying complexities that distort the traditional image of a friend. The duality of his character ultimately serves as the catalyst for Jong-su's descent into paranoia and violence.

👤 Charismatic 🔥 Troubling 🕵️‍♂️ Mysterious

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:46

Major Themes – Burning (2021)

Explore the central themes of Burning (2021), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Betrayal

Betrayal is a central theme as Jong-su grapples with the loss of trust in those he cares about. Hae-mi's mysterious disappearance and Ben's unsettling interests lead Jong-su down a dark path of suspicion and jealousy. Ultimately, the emotional fallout of these betrayals propels Jong-su to commit acts that irrevocably alter his life.

🌀 Isolation

Isolation pervades Jong-su's experience as he navigates his solitary life amidst urban chaos. His deep introspection, especially in Hae-mi's apartment, reveals how isolation can breed paranoia and obsession. This theme emphasizes the struggle between human connection and the loneliness that often accompanies it.

🔥 Destruction

Destruction manifests both physically and emotionally, with the burning of greenhouses symbolizing deeper personal loss. Jong-su's violent reaction to betrayal leads to irreversible consequences, mirroring the destructive nature of his relationships. The climax captures a haunting transformation, underscoring how emotional turmoil can manifest in dire actions.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:46

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Slow burn psychological dread like in Burning

Stories where quiet tension and paranoia slowly consume the characters.This selection features movies like Burning that specialize in slow-building tension and psychological unease. If you appreciated the gradual escalation of paranoia and the heavy, atmospheric dread, you'll find similar narratives here. These films prioritize mood and internal turmoil over fast-paced action.

slow burnpsychologicaltenseatmosphericparanoiduneasyanxiousdread

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern typically follows a linear but measured pace, focusing on a protagonist's descent into obsession or suspicion. A central mystery or ambiguous antagonist fuels their paranoia, leading to a climax that validates their fears, often with violent or bleak results.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared commitment to a slow-burn pace and a psychologically tense atmosphere. They prioritize building a palpable sense of dread through character introspection, atmospheric direction, and themes of alienation and obsession.

Movies about mysterious alienation and obsession like Burning

Isolated characters become obsessed with enigmatic figures and unsettling events.Explore films similar to Burning that focus on themes of alienation, obsession, and mysterious disappearances. If you were captivated by the protagonist's lonely investigation and the exploration of class resentment, this collection offers more stories with emotionally heavy journeys and ambiguous clues.

obsessivealienationlonelymelancholicmysteriousinvestigativeclass conflictemotional turmoil

Narrative Summary

These stories follow a lonely or socially isolated protagonist who becomes drawn into the orbit of a charismatic but enigmatic figure. The investigation of a mystery (often a disappearance) becomes a personal obsession, reflecting the protagonist's own inner turmoil and leading to a confrontation that exposes deep-seated resentments.

Why These Movies?

These movies are united by their focus on themes of alienation, obsession, and the investigation of a central mystery driven by personal flaws. They share a dark tone and explore the psychological impact of class differences and emotional isolation.

Unlock the Full Story of Burning

Don't stop at just watching — explore Burning in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Burning is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Burning Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Burning, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Burning Summary

Burning Timeline

Track the full timeline of Burning with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Burning Timeline

Burning Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Burning that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Burning Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Burning

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Burning: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Burning

Similar Movies to Burning

Discover movies like Burning that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.