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Brain on Fire

Brain on Fire

Drama · 2017

Susannah Cahalan, an up-and-coming journalist at the New York Post becomes plagued by voices in her head and seizures, causing a rapid descent into insanity.

Movie details

Brain on Fire

“It's not supposed to happen. Be prepared when it does.”

2017 Drama 1h 28m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.0 / 10

Community rating

Susannah Cahalan, an up-and-coming journalist at the New York Post becomes plagued by voices in her head and seizures, causing a rapid descent into insanity.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Brain on Fire?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Call Me Crazy: A Five Film

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James White

James White

Drama · 2015

James White is a troubled twentysomething trying to stay afloat in a frenzied New York City. As he retreats further into a hedonistic lifestyle, his mother's battle with a serious illness faces a series of setbacks that force him to assume more responsibility. With the pressure on him mounting, James must find new reserves of strength or risk imploding completely.

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Awakenings

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Drama · 1990

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Gerard Barrett

Written by

Gerard Barrett

Chloë Grace Moretz

Chloë Grace Moretz

Susannah Cahalan

Thomas Mann

Thomas Mann

Stephen Grywalski

Richard Armitage

Richard Armitage

Tom Cahalan

Carrie-Anne Moss

Carrie-Anne Moss

Rhona Nack

Jenny Slate

Jenny Slate

Margo

Tyler Perry

Tyler Perry

Richard

Alex Zahara

Alex Zahara

Allen

Court is in session

Put Brain on Fire on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.