Watch Spontaneous Combustion

"The Cleanest Kill on Earth."

R
1989
1 hr 37 min
4.8 (2,781)

In the movie Spontaneous Combustion, Jonathan P. Randall (played by Brad Dourif) is a man with some unusual abilities. He can generate intense heat from within his body at will. As a baby, his parents were exposed to nuclear radiation, which caused him to develop this unique trait. Now as an adult, Jonathan is struggling to cope with his abilities and the fact that the government is watching his every move. The story begins with Jonathan and his girlfriend, Rachel (played by Cynthia Bain), attending a funeral. During the service, Jonathan experiences a sudden burst of heat, causing a fire in the chapel. From this moment on, Jonathan's abilities start to become more and more difficult to control. He starts to have random combustions, which cause him pain and leave a trail of destruction behind him. As Jonathan navigates his new reality, he discovers that there are others like him who have similar abilities. He also learns that the government has been monitoring him his entire life, and they have plans to use his powers for their own gain. At the center of the film is the question of whether or not Jonathan can control his powers or if they are controlling him. As he struggles to come to terms with his abilities, he must also decide if he wants to be a weapon for the government or if he wants to use his powers for good. The film is a mix of science fiction and horror, with some truly disturbing scenes of people spontaneously combusting. The special effects are impressive given the film's low budget, and the use of practical effects adds to the overall sense of dread and unease. Brad Dourif delivers a great performance as Jonathan, conveying both the pain and terror of his situation. Cynthia Bain is also excellent as Rachel, providing a grounded and relatable perspective on the events of the film. The supporting cast also delivers solid performances, with Jon Cypher as the villainous government agent, and Melinda Dillon as Jonathan's estranged mother. Overall, Spontaneous Combustion is a unique and entertaining film that fans of science fiction and horror should definitely check out. It's a film that has aged well, and its themes of control and power still resonate with audiences today. While not perfect, it's a film that manages to be both thrilling and thought-provoking, and it's definitely one that fans of the genre should seek out.

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Description

The story begins with Jonathan and his girlfriend, Rachel (played by Cynthia Bain), attending a funeral. During the service, Jonathan experiences a sudden burst of heat, causing a fire in the chapel. From this moment on, Jonathan's abilities start to become more and more difficult to control. He starts to have random combustions, which cause him pain and leave a trail of destruction behind him.

As Jonathan navigates his new reality, he discovers that there are others like him who have similar abilities. He also learns that the government has been monitoring him his entire life, and they have plans to use his powers for their own gain.

At the center of the film is the question of whether or not Jonathan can control his powers or if they are controlling him. As he struggles to come to terms with his abilities, he must also decide if he wants to be a weapon for the government or if he wants to use his powers for good.

The film is a mix of science fiction and horror, with some truly disturbing scenes of people spontaneously combusting. The special effects are impressive given the film's low budget, and the use of practical effects adds to the overall sense of dread and unease.

Brad Dourif delivers a great performance as Jonathan, conveying both the pain and terror of his situation. Cynthia Bain is also excellent as Rachel, providing a grounded and relatable perspective on the events of the film.

The supporting cast also delivers solid performances, with Jon Cypher as the villainous government agent, and Melinda Dillon as Jonathan's estranged mother.

Overall, Spontaneous Combustion is a unique and entertaining film that fans of science fiction and horror should definitely check out. It's a film that has aged well, and its themes of control and power still resonate with audiences today. While not perfect, it's a film that manages to be both thrilling and thought-provoking, and it's definitely one that fans of the genre should seek out.