Eastbourne Screens Burning
A psychological thriller about class, jealousy, and mystery comes to Eastbourne's Towner. Director Lee Chang-dong weaves a complex narrative that explores the human condition.
Dir: Lee Chang-dong
Cast: Yoo Ah-in, Steven Yeun, Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Soo-kyung, Choe Seung-ho, Moon Sung-keun, Min Bok-gi, Ban Hye-ra
148 mins · 2018 · South Korea, Japan · English, Korean
IMDb 7.4/10 · Rotten Tomatoes 95% · Metacritic 91/100 · TMDB 7.4/10 · Trakt 73%
Awards: 54 wins & 144 nominations total
In the bustling city of Seoul, a young deliveryman's life is disrupted by a chance encounter with a childhood friend, leading him down a path of obsession and mystery. The film, Burning, is a masterful exploration of class conflict, unrequited love, and the blurred lines between reality and fantasy. With its slow-burning tension and poetic narrative, it's a cinematic experience that will linger in your mind long after the credits roll.
Directed by Lee Chang-dong, Burning boasts a talented cast, including Yoo Ah-in, Jeon Jong-seo, and Steven Yeun. The film is based on the short story "Barn Burning" by Haruki Murakami, with elements inspired by William Faulkner's story of the same name. At 148 minutes long, Burning is a substantial and immersive film that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Certified 15, it's a thriller that's not to be missed.
Burning has received widespread critical acclaim, with praise for its sense of unease, ambiguous narrative, and performances. The film has been awarded 54 wins and 144 nominations, including the FIPRESCI International Critics' Prize at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival. With scores of 7.4/10 on IMDb, 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, 91/100 on Metacritic, 7.4/10 on TMDB, and 73% on Trakt, it's clear that Burning is a film that has resonated with audiences and critics alike.
Critics have praised the film for its masterful storytelling, with many noting its ability to balance multiple genres and themes. The film's use of ambiguity and subtlety has been particularly praised, with many critics noting that it's a film that rewards close attention and multiple viewings. Viewers have also responded positively to the film, with many praising its thought-provoking and emotionally resonant portrayal of complex characters and relationships.
The Towner in Eastbourne will be screening Burning on Thursday, 19 November 2026. Tickets are with the button beside the article. Don't miss this opportunity to experience a film that has been hailed as a masterpiece of psychological unease and a gripping nightmare. With its complex characters, ambiguous narrative, and thought-provoking themes, Burning is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
Stills
What viewers say
fawlty70 · 10/10
Go in with no expectations, except that it is a slow-paced simple story, told in an epic fashion with wonderful cinematography and understated acting. It got under my skin like few movies do, a story about class, jealousy, ego, desire, dreams, etc. Best movie of the year, possibly.
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salvdelg · 9/10
This movie is a generational manifesto. A boy that loves a girl; the girl loves a richer boy; the richer boy has no moral values. In this chain, the plot unfolds and the characters' personalities develop to became extremely complex. That's why this is a manifesto for 90-00's generation: they live of contraddictions between their first-world issues (to be in the forgotten middle-low class, to be too rich, to have a father in prison, and so on...)…
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KurtMoney · 7/10
Wasn't crazy about this. Once again I've been burned by the promise of a "crazy ending." Never believe what you read. Good movie. Gland I saw it. But won't watch again.
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Jay Shuai · 3/10
Not sure what all the fuss was about for this. Way too long and not particularly interesting. Somewhat tedious in fact. Literally nothing happens. 3/10
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Saint Pauly · 7/10
An entire film where the actors read between the lines a story made only of things left unsaid. Majestic.
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IHateBadMovies.com · 9/10
This is a movie for people who want to get inside of a movie and roll around inside of it. For days. The movie itself is a slow burn (sorry for the pun) and the ending won't be for everyone. If you enjoy a movie that makes you think and research for days in order to appreciate all that you saw (and didn't see) this movie is for you. follow me at https://IHATEBadMovies.com or facebook IHateBadMovies
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Bertaut · 9/10
A slow-burning mystery about economics, class, and sexual jealousy. And cats. In his first film in eight years, writer/director Lee Chang-dong (Oasis; Secret Sunshine; Poetry) begins this protean narrative as an almost John Hughes-esque teen romance, before shifting gears into a story of sexual and economic jealousy, then morphing into the tale of a pseudo-film noir amateur sleuth, before finally allowing itself to visit the thriller territory…
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manicure · 7/10
“Burning” is a simple and inconclusive film that still manages to linger in your mind for days. The realistic approach instantly ties your perception of the events with the protagonist’s subjectivity, but everything is left so ambiguous that you will start wondering what the film is getting at. It might be or not be a romantic drama, a disappearance mystery, or a social commentary. For sure, it’s an interesting character study. Lee Chang-Dong’s…
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