The Burning

The Burning

Year: 1981

Runtime: 91 min

Language: Norwegian

Director: Tony Maylam

Horror

A former summer camp caretaker, horribly disfigured by a group of teenagers, seeks brutal revenge in the remote woods of upstate New York. Driven by malice and seeking retribution, he hunts the teens who wronged him, turning a seemingly peaceful summer retreat into a terrifying and deadly game of cat and mouse. The woods become a terrifying hunting ground as the caretaker unleashes his vengeance.

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Timeline & Setting – The Burning (1981)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Burning (1981). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Five years after the incident

The movie takes place in a contemporary setting that spans five years after a traumatic event involving the caretaker Cropsy. This time period highlights shifts in the characters' lives as they grapple with the aftermath of horror and the looming threat of Cropsy's return, blending carefree summer camp experiences with dark and violent undertones.

Location

Camp Blackfoot, St. Catherine's hospital, Camp Stonewater

Camp Blackfoot is a summer camp that becomes the site of a horrific incident involving fire and a caretaker named Cropsy. St. Catherine's hospital serves as a grim backdrop where Cropsy, disfigured after the incident, is seen in a terrifying moment of rage. Camp Stonewater is another summer camp where campers experience a mix of fun and fear as they unknowingly become targets of Cropsy's vengeful spirit.

🏕️ Camps 🏥 Hospital 🌲 Wilderness

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:10

Main Characters – The Burning (1981)

Meet the key characters of The Burning (1981), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Cropsy

Cropsy is a deeply troubled and scarred character, representing the consequences of past traumas and neglect. After being horrifically burned, he transforms from victim to villain, seeking revenge on the campers who have unknowingly awakened his wrath. His terrifying presence evokes both fear and a sense of tragic consequence.

👻 Villain 🔥 Revenge 😨 Terror

Karen

Karen, a camper at Camp Stonewater, embodies innocence and vulnerability, struggling with her feelings toward a fellow camper, Eddy. Her character develops through moments of fear and realization as she confronts the sinister reality of Cropsy's presence. She stands as a representation of the youthful spirit thwarted by horrific circumstances.

👩‍🎤 Innocence 💔 Vulnerability 🌟 Camp Life

Todd

Todd emerges as a courageous figure amidst the chaos, taking on the responsibility of standing up against Cropsy. His character embodies the theme of heroism as he confronts the lurking danger to protect his friends. The story places him in a crucial position where past connections to Cropsy fuel his resolve during the final showdown.

🦸‍♂️ Heroism 🔪 Confrontation 🌲 Survival

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:10

Major Themes – The Burning (1981)

Explore the central themes of The Burning (1981), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔥 Revenge

Revenge is a central theme that drives the motivations of Cropsy, whose horrific past leads him to seek vengeance on those who wronged him. The campers unknowingly become entangled in this cycle of violence, as their carefree lives are shattered by the return of Cropsy, igniting conversations about fear and survival. The theme culminates in a dramatic confrontation where past grievances are reckoned with.

😱 Fear

Fear pervades the atmosphere as the campers confront the horrors of their situation. The constant lurking presence of Cropsy instills a palpable sense of terror, transitioning their innocent summer adventures into a fight for survival. This theme explores how fear can alter perceptions and relationships, leading to paranoia and chaos within the camp.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:10

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Slasher Revenge Movies like The Burning

Stories where a brutal past returns to hunt victims in a confined location.If you liked the vengeful killer and summer camp setting of The Burning, explore more movies with similar slasher revenge plots. These films often feature a masked or disfigured antagonist, a group of vulnerable targets, and a confined location that becomes a deadly hunting ground.

brutalvengefulclaustrophobicsuspensefulgrimparanoidoppressive

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically begins with a traumatic event that creates the villain, who later returns to a specific location to exact vengeance. The plot follows a linear structure of stalking and survival, focusing on the cat-and-mouse dynamic between the killer and their victims, building to a final, violent confrontation.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared core premise: a vengeful antagonist, a contained setting that enhances the tension, and a focus on brutal, direct revenge. They share a dark tone, high intensity, and a heavy emotional weight due to graphic violence.

Bleak Survival Horror Films similar to The Burning

Grim tales of characters fighting for their lives against an overwhelming threat.Fans of The Burning's high-tension survival scenario and bittersweet ending will find more movies here with a heavy, grim mood. These stories focus on characters pushed to their limits, facing almost certain doom, where simply surviving feels like a haunted victory.

grimsuspensefuloppressivedesperateparanoidbrutaltense

Narrative Summary

These stories follow a group or individual facing an immediate, lethal threat. The journey is one of escalating danger and dwindling hope, where characters are stripped down to their most primal instincts. The conclusion often reinforces the high cost of survival, blending relief with profound loss.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their heavy emotional weight, dark tone, and focus on the visceral experience of survival against near-impossible odds. They create a consistent vibe of dread and desperation, making the viewer feel the characters' paranoia and struggle.

Unlock the Full Story of The Burning

Don't stop at just watching — explore The 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 The Burning is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Burning Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The 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.

The Burning Summary

The Burning Timeline

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

The Burning Timeline

The Burning Spoiler-Free Summary

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The Burning Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Burning

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More About The Burning

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