This is a poorly acted and predictable story. You've seen this story plenty of times before and could probably guess the ending for yourself quite easily. The acting overall is very wooden, except when the female lead is trying way too hard to emote. Then it is second hand embarrassment for the viewer. The only good performance is from the young actor portraying Martin, Lorenzo Mc Govern Zaini. I was quite impressed with this young man and he definitely has a great future as an actor ahead of him. It's too bad his first high profile film is this turkey. But I'm sure he will find many opportunities to shine.
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HorrorFilmHellion19 October 2023On the nose predictable, but bizarre in execution- Within minutes of the Lead showing up, it was clear a modern woman threw on a costume and time-warped into a period piece to demonstrate her gallantry and sexual fortitude, even though she --spoiler-- which pitched the narrative onto the pyre. Not sure what the take-away was supposed to be from this. I had no reason to buy-in, no protagonist (just an activist), and really nothing to admire or despise. This had some potential, and it seemed like some good shots and catchy sound design were present, but it fizzled more than it sizzled and ended up as a flame out for me.
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cindyrellaexists29 October 2023This was a nice try and the story seemed interesting but the execution by the actors (other than the main young boy) all fell flat. No chemistry on the screen or believable dialogue. To say it was an underwhelming movie is being polite. The cinematography was decent but the editing and continuity was very amateur hour.
I honestly tried to enjoy this because the story was intriguing. Oh and how it was scored could have been much better. It just missed on so many levels. Unfortunately I think casting Amber Heard will make it box office fodder. Hopefully the director's next project will give them a better opportunity at success because this was definitely not a hit. -
danbull-2042727 December 2023This is a film that truly should never have been made, not worth the film it's printed on as my old nan would say.
I'd love to say the acting was terrible but there wasn't any acting. There was just some cardboard that moved, in fact that was the most impressive thing about this film, seriously, you would struggle to see the stop animation in the movement. The only give away is that the characters are so wooden and stiff.
If you're still reading this review you have already spent more time here than you should ever spend on this film. It couldn't be worse than if you went to the cinema and just sat staring at the blank screen. -
suraj-simon2 December 2023An uninspiring story told with an underwhelming style from one dimensional actors and actresses with zero chemistry doomed this film.
The costumes along with the attempts acting and filming style were a constant reminder I was watching a film.
There will be zealots for a certain actress in this film but hopefully this travesty of both sound and vision will make them realise they wasting time and money on a lost cause.
Box office revenue isn't always an indication of a films worth but judging by the real reviews and the global box office revenues, we can now say some times it can be spot on. -
joywalker-6754616 February 2024'Into the fire' had an interesing premis, was very visually engaging, and the acting was good. The plot moved a little slowly, but it became more enjoyable as the film went on. I think some aspects of the plot could have been explored a little more effectively within the run time. The 3 main characters were all fairly well developed, though I do feel that they lacked unique character traits, and there were interesting aspects of each character that were never addressed, especially with the doctor. I think more character work would have really improved the film overall, as I sometimes struggled to follow what each character was actually motivated by.
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jackkern-862-99369911 February 2024I honestly had to Try not to nod off in my chair while watching "In The Fire". The Writers own this flat plot, it had more potential.
The characters seemed almost transparent, but not for bad acting rather not much to work with in dialog.
Actor Lorenzo McGovern Zaini is the only one who delivered anything memorable to this film.
Amber Heard will always be a "so-so" kind of "Okay" supporting actor, but leading actor is beyond her acting skill-set. It just simply isn't enough to have a pretty face you have to deliver in a Lead Role. No Excuses! Amber is always the same character in a different role, but always Amber Heard. -
jamfitz00122 October 2023The closest movie I can compare this to is 2022's The Wonder. In that story Florence Pugh plays a modernist Nurse at the turn of the 20th century who travels to rural Ireland to deal with a psychologically traumatized girl who the locals believe may be having religious visions. Here we get Amber Heard playing an 'Alienist' who travels to turn of the 20th century South America to deal with a strange boy who the rural locals believe may be evil incarnate.
Seeing the low rating of this movie I was expecting Heard's performance to be as bad as her London Fields role, or Mera in Aquaman. She actually acquits herself well as Grace Burnham in In The Fire. Playing a modern woman confronted with backward ways, I felt she was more successful than Pugh had been in an almost identical role.
Both films rely on atmospherics and dark and somber landscapes to build mood, isolation and a sense of despair over the story. Both films have somewhat similar endings too. The Wonder wraps up too neatly, In The Fire just ends with us wondering what this was all about.
And that is the problem of this movie. The story's protagonist is a Woman fighting the conventions of her time. At the end, after basically getting her butt kicked, we're left unsure. Did she learn something? And if she did, the ending seems to be leading her down a bad path. Lorenzo McGovern Zaini plays the boy, Martin. We don't know if he is the kid from the Omen, or she has identified his psychological disorder correctly, but he apparently has dangerous paranormal powers. And he is not that great in the role. They give him one giant blue eye to make him look weird and right before he channels his demonic abilities, he gets geeked out. He looks too weird to have sympathy for him, and at no point does he come across as giving a crap about anyone in the story, particularly Grace, who is fighting everyone to let her help him as she starts noticing...damn this kid seems to be using magic powers.
Who she is supposed to be just doesn't line up with what is going and on it doesn't make much sense. .
Neither does her relationship with the boy's father. At first he dislikes her. Then she wants them all to eat dinner 'like a family'. Then they have an obligatory sex scene. But no chemistry, no connection. More like the director wanted a sex scene in the movie, because it is Amber Heard.
So we have the modern woman of science fighting everyone as things escalate. Finally everything blows up. And at the end, we can't tell if this was supposed to be a horror movie or not. The story should have gone one way or the other, and her actions at the end don't seem to align with what is going on. -
pontram17 October 2023For the record, this is not a Horror film. Everyone who watches it in expectation of horror will be disappointed. There are some mysterious events, and I must say, that I liked this aspect the least about the movie.
In The Fire is certainly not a bad movie. Neither are the actors doing bad, nor is the music out of place. Yes, the script may be a somewhere immature, not actually made by a master of the art of writing.
It leaves a number of things (like character backgrounds) untouched, and instead focusses on the boy and his strange mind, and how the presence of a well-meaning, understanding and caring person benefits him.
The movie tries to capture the atmosphere of a time and a place where education was mostly absent, and where superstition still could reach the minds of people, leading to cruelties.
Set and location are great, some things are weird, for instance, two priests on opposite sides, a farming "Don" with two servants, who does the work of a peasant, but can afford a personal shrink from the U. S. for his son.
Direction is ok.
I understand that the outcome of the story is somewhere unsettling, and also sad, but it is a story that is told with enough love and effort, so that I was entertained and not bored.
Six stars. -
It's one matter for a film to be received so poorly that it becomes infamous, like 'North,' 'Showgirls,' or 'Ishtar.' Countless more titles are received poorly all the time, but go entirely unremarked until we somehow chance upon them. While it's true of both groups, sometimes it seems that with the latter especially there is a possibility that to sit and watch for ourselves, maybe we'll find that low esteem to be misguided; I've been surprised every now and again, hating movies that are beloved and loving movies that are hated. So what of 'In the fire,' which came and went completely unheard of last year? Could it really be so bad? Truthfully, I don't think it is. I've seen the bottom of the barrel, and this is nowhere near it. 'In the fire' is passably enjoyable on some level. It is also, however, saddled with troubles that are apparent pretty much right from the start, and as a result there was sadly never much of a chance for this to rise above "middling" or "mediocre."
Specifically, two issues readily present. The first is that this picture gives us nothing new; genre cinema overflows with fare juxtaposing science and religion, a skeptic protagonist and a conflict of supposed supernatural happenings, and an earnest search for the truth as set against ignorance, superstition, and mob violence. These eighty-seven minutes operate in a very familiar space, including themes, scenes, characters, and dynamics between characters; there are most certainly tropes at play. Mind you, this first issue is not a huge mark against this one feature; many individual filmmakers may try their hand at similar concepts - there is no rule against doing so - and setting aside that slight variations on one idea can bear equal merit, if we forsook anything and everything that wasn't concretely original, there would be very little art in the world. It's worth observing the incidence here, and reflecting on points of comparison, but this alone doesn't majorly impact the whole.
Far more concerning is the second issue of 'In the fire' - moreover aggravating the latter factor - which is distinct, pervasive heavy-handedness all throughout the length, and in far too many ways. I'm unfamiliar with filmmaker Conor Allyn, or co-writers Pascal Borno and Silvio Muraglia, or others involved; only Amber Heard and Eduardo Noriega have I encountered in some small measure in the past, and I know that they are capable. Unfortunately, this flick is flush with dire forcefulness, a lack of tact, nuance, or mindful application, that makes most everyone and everything come off with gauche, unconvincing severity, if not also bluntness. Sometimes a moment becomes almost laughable for how tawdry it is, and this may be attributed to any combination of the dialogue, scene writing, characterizations, story ideas or plot development, shot composition, cinematography, editing, lighting or color correction, music, sound, effects (practical or especially digitally produced), or even the costume design, hair, makeup, or production design or art direction. Above all, I'm quite sure that Allyn's direction is a primary factor driving the heavy-handed qualities of the proceedings, and in turn the acting is absolutely impacted, even down to facial expressions and delivery. I feel bad for young Lorenzo McGovern Zaini, because he may come across worst of all. Again, I at least know what Heard and Noriega can achieve when given the opportunity, and I can only assume that conditions here reduced them to such small corners; presumably, the same goes for their fellow contributors. One way or another, this is loaded with contentious traits that greatly diminish what this might have been.
What's most regrettable is that I see the potential it bore. Broadly speaking I actually do like Teho Teardo's score, and it just often comes across as ill-fitting as it is employed; some elements (like cinematography, or hair and makeup) are well done in and of themselves, but were guided to ill-considered ends. More than anything, the narrative can claim strong foundations in the themes and ideas on hand, thoughts that are dark, disturbing, and frankly all too despairingly relevant to modern real life as reason and patient deliberation are set against willful abandonment of critical thought and empathy. It has its rough spots, and it may work in known territory, but on paper I think the plot is enjoyable and satisfying from beginning to end. The fact is that in execution the film adopts a tone that is too forthright, and nearly every component part at some point suffers from gawky, somewhat unrefined construction. I don't dislike 'In the fire,' and I abjectly disagree with the extremity of its poor regard; at the same time, it doesn't exactly inspire enthusiastic engagement, and it's probably best left as something to check out on a lazy, quiet night. There are much, much worse ways you could spend your time; the problem is that there are countless better ones, too. When all is said and done I believe this is modestly worthwhile if you come across it, but don't go out of your way for it, and be aware that it's the sort of picture best considered as a means to pass the time, and not to particularly capture the imagination. Take that as you will. -
Secretlyscaly6 November 2023The whole film was gorgeous and didn't feel like a fun with a very small budget.
It's a slow burn and a very character driven story.
I would have liked to know more about Dr Grace Burnham and her backstory, i feel that would've helped me connect with the character emotionally and explain more of her drive to prove herself and her relationship with Martín's father
But altogether a solid film with compelling performances from all the cast.
I would say it's also more of a suspense than a true horror. There are elements of horror and supernatural but suspense and drama are the main focus of the story. -
This movie is about an educated woman and doctor who came to a rural village to help a father and his son, who seemingly have some supernatural powers. Village peasants believe this kid is evil and a seed of Satan. As a scientific-thinking and rationalist woman, she is not only trying to help the boy and his father; she also has to fight the ignorance and bigotry of village peasants. On paper, this story sounds quite decent, but unfortunately, the execution is pretty flat and bad. Some scenes, such as a mother's death in a horse accident, are extremely poorly photographed; the editing is appalling; unrelated scenes blend together without making sense or cohesion; and all characters are one-dimensional and have flat personalities due to the lack of character development in this film. The lead actor's acting is stiff, unconvincing, and really bad. Amber Heard was horribly miscast in her part, and her acting was extremely poor. Eduardo Noriega, who plays the boy's father, is also quite wooden and flat. This movie project really seems to be a low-budget TV movie rather than a high-budget movie made for cinema saloons, and I wonder if Amber Heard really believed that this movie was going to be her comeback vehicle, and if she really believed that, unfortunately, she was really wrong.
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whitrosie15 October 2023A slow burn, but really well done. A gorgeous setting, great performances by everyone in the cast, and a unique story. I thought it would be more scary, but it was more just an overall unsettling, disturbing sense of unease that perpetuated throughout the whole film and came to a head at the climax. Dr. Grace Burnham was a compelling character, a courageous fish-out-of-water psychologist who finds herself alone, the only rational voice in a community characterized by fear and hysteria. The community faces famine, illness and loss, and they blame every unfortunate happening on the boy Dr. Burnham came to help, Martin. Amber Heard gives an engrossing performance as Dr. Burnham, one of the only women in the burgeoning field of psychology, alone in an unfamiliar, hostile place, with a dedication to protecting and nurturing Martin. Lorenzo McGovern Zaini gives an incredible performance as Martin, and Eduardo Noriega is compelling in his role as Martin's father, who is grappling with the loss of his wife and his feelings about his troubled son. My only criticism is I wish it had been a little longer -- the ending was a little abrupt and I wish there had been more exploration of Dr. Burnham's background and what the future might hold at the end. But overall, I think it was a great little movie -- definitely worth watching.
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dani_fz21 October 2023I just recently finished watching this gothic mystery thriller and, contra-expectations, I have to admit that it is as good as an indie thriller of its kind could get. The scenery, cinematography, production design, performances, and makeup are impressively well put together to deliver a captivating and thought-provoking product that, in my opinion, has so far been grossly - but unsurprisingly, if you know what I mean - underrated.
At its center, 'In the Fire' is a story about love, human connection, and the struggle to belong and be accepted in a world in which bigotry (xenophobia, sexism, witch-burning) is the rule rather than the exception. It is also a story about how reductive and destructive dualisms such as religion/science or even disease/talent can be in the face of a more complex world that does not readily lend itself to such oversimplifications, especially in cases where human lives and wellbeing are at stake. And both these very human stories are told through the vehicle of a psychological/supernatural gothic thriller that, in many respects, defies the narratives and clichés typical of both the psychological and supernatural thriller genres. This is one of the aspects of the film that I love the most and is evident in how, despite paying subtle nods to some films in these genres, Conor Allyn purposely subverts the formulas and devices they employ in interesting and thought-provoking ways.
Interwoven into the film's central stories are important philosophical questions evoked by, and to some extent addressed within, the film's plot. For instance, the question of human suffering in light of the assumption that the world is overseen by an omnibenevolent and omnipotent creator ("God") is raised in the film, and the lack of a rational answer to this question is made a key feature of the villagers' fear of, and anger towards, Martin (Lorenzo McGovern Zaini). Similarly, the movie tackles the question of whether or not religion and science could co-exist and plausibly invites both religious and non-religious viewers - through Father Antonio (Luca Calvani) and Grace Burnham (Amber Heard) respectively - to reflect on the extent to which they would be willing to bend their own prior beliefs when confronted with a phenomenon that grossly violates them.
Additionally, something has to be said in terms of a complement to the writers (Conor Allyn, Pascal Borno, Silvio Muraglia) and the director (Conor Allyn) regarding how delicately and skillfully they carry the film's central mystery right down to literally the last five minutes of the movie. The film follows Grace Burnham as the very rare 19th century woman alienist (a pre-20th century term for a psychiatrist) that travels to a remote village to attend to the treatment of Martin Marquez - a boy exhibiting atypical behaviors - at the behest of Martin's mother. Once at the village, Grace discovers that in order to treat and care for Martin, she has to contend with the protestations of most of the villagers - led by a Father Gavira (Yari Gugliucci) - who are convinced that Martin's atypical behaviors underlie the misfortunes that have been plaguing the village ever since he was born because, according to them, the boy is possessed. Thus is the mystery at the center of the movie: Is Martin actually possessed or does he, as Grace maintains, merely contain an illness (mental disorders were notoriously pathologized in the 19th century) by the name of Savante Syndrome? The writers and director, aided by Amber Heard's skillful acting, do a great job holding onto this mystery until that point in the movie when it is most rewarding to give it away. And, without giving away any spoilers, I assure you that you likely will not be expecting how the mystery is resolved.
Speaking of Heard's acting, as something of an enthusiast and critical follower of her filmography, I have to say a thing or two about it. For one, anyone familiar with Heard's previous horror and thriller performances will see influences in her acting here from such horror/thriller classics as The Ward (2010) and And Soon the Darkness (2010). On the other hand, 'In the Fire' adds to the evidence for Heard's versatility as an actress because she's never starred in such a period film before (and in as authoritative and scholarly a position as a doctor) yet she nails Grace Burnham's character so well that even most of the negative critics of the movie begrudgingly accept that her performance cannot be faulted. In perhaps no scenes is this skillful performance as evident as in some of the private moments Grace shares with Martin and in the scene in which Grace confronts Father Gavira in front of the church (which leads to events that many viewers would not be comfortable watching). In all, while Heard does display some of her signature elements of performance in this movie, she exhibits a maturity and growth of skill that, in my opinion, should easily market her for similar and not-so-similar roles in future that would, if she's given the chance, land her an Oscar someday. Besides Amber Heard moreover, the other performers in the movie also do the best job they could do for their characters, especially Luca Calvani, Eduardo Noriega (Nicolas Marquez), and Lorenzo McGovern Zaini.
I feel like I cannot conclude this review without singling out the film's makeups (thanks to Helena Rago and crew) for an authenticity that elevates its appearance to that of a big-budget production. I cannot even imagine the work they put in to achieve this look.
The only faults that I could point out with the film lie with its editing (which seems a bit choppy in some scenes) and with the writing of the some of the dialogues (which do not strictly adhere to the 19th century setting). Nonetheless, these are faults that are more than covered by the film's positives and by the fact that the film is low-budget, but I had to remove at least one star from it because of them.
In conclusion, 'In the Fire' is as solid an indie movie of its genre as you can get. I highly recommend it to most people, both horror and thriller lovers and non-lovers alike. This is because while the film does use thrill largely for entertainment value, its underlying stories and themes are drama-based and would thus appeal to those that aren't so much into thrillers. I also specifically recommend the movie to the more philosophically inclined audiences that love their their entertainment smart rather than intellectually empty. Fans of Amber Heard will also have a lot to enjoy in this movie and will no doubt re-watch it multiple times as they wait for her next appearance in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom later this year. In all, I cannot recommend enough that the interested reader give this genre-defying movie at least one viewing as I am confident that they will find the experience worthwhile and memorable. -
I love this movie! Amber is such an great actress!! The movie is horror thrilled theme it keeps on your toes wondering if the boy is actually possessed and has evil superpowers in him or that he's just mentally ill and everyone is just too ignorant to understand that, the doctor grace victoria burnham traveled to plantation to treat a boy the "possessed" boy and reassures him that he's not evil or possessed then goes on to fight everyone trying to prove that the kid isn't possessed and that it's just a mental health issue which cause outrage in the plantation science versus religion. I recommend watching it regardless of the trolls hating on it.
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tmsnicaur16 October 20232,8!? Come on! It is just the brilliant way Spanish thriller and horror movies are made! You have to focus on the action, characters, and, by doing that, you won't miss this twisted but completely interesting dilemma-is all about possession or something else? Excellent flick, with Amber Heard playing great as the foreign doctor. I was literally surprised that her interpretation was so realistic, so intense, and I am sure(-as an European cinephile-) the actress could successfully play in many more dark movies! Open suggestion for other movie fans from all over the world: watch more dark movies made in the European style and then rate this movie.
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banthemmen19 October 2023"In the Fire of Amber Heard" is an extraordinary film that captivates audiences from start to finish. With its gripping storyline, impeccable performances, and stunning visuals, it leaves a lasting impact. Amber Heard's portrayal in the lead role is nothing short of remarkable, showcasing her versatility and depth as an actress.
The film masterfully weaves together elements of mystery, suspense, and emotional intensity, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. The plot unfolds gradually, revealing layers of complexity and unexpected twists that keep you guessing until the very end. Each scene is skillfully crafted, drawing you deeper into the characters' lives and their intricate relationships.
The cinematography is breathtaking, capturing both the grandeur and the intimate moments with equal finesse. The visuals are enhanced by a mesmerizing soundtrack that perfectly complements the mood and enhances the emotional resonance of every scene.
Amidst the thrilling narrative, the film also addresses thought-provoking themes that resonate with the audience long after the credits roll. It delves into the complexities of human nature, explores the power dynamics in relationships, and highlights the resilience of the human spirit.
The supporting cast delivers exceptional performances, adding depth and authenticity to the story. The chemistry between the actors is palpable, creating believable and compelling dynamics that draw you further into their world.
Without spoiling the plot, it can be said that "In the Fire of Amber Heard" is a cinematic masterpiece that showcases the talents of its cast and crew. It offers a rollercoaster of emotions, leaving you both exhilarated and contemplative. It's a testament to the magic of storytelling and a film that deserves to be experienced by all lovers of great cinema. -
k_olya_4 November 2023At first it may look like a typical demonic child story, but this movie is much more than this. It offers both paranormal and scientific explanation of the events and the ambiguous ending lets you decide how to interpret them. Mysterious atmosphere got me excited in the first minutes and although there isn't much action going on, I was never bored. The movie brings up some important topics that are still relevant today - danger of religious fanaticism, mob mentality and a fear of things we don't understand.
The cast is really good. Amber Heard is fantastic in this role and Lorenzo McGovern Zaini is definitely very promising young actor. Operator's work deserves special appreciation - the cinematography is beautiful and aesthetically pleasing.