IMDb 6.7 2008 HD

The Burning Plain

The Burning Plain

2008
Crime Drama Romance
111 min R USA
6.568 / 10
6.7 IMDB

A trailer is burning in the middle of a plain. The bodies of two adulterous lovers are found. Scenes from both families, before and after the dramatic events,…

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Guillermo Arriaga / Brooke Satrazemis
Starring
Charlize Theron / Kim Basinger / Jennifer Lawrence / Joaquim de Almeida / John Corbett / Robin Tunney / Fernanda Romero / Brett Cullen

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

haunting poignant melancholic complex emotional thoughtful atmospheric somber dramatic compelling intense affecting

Reviews

G
Genevieve Dubois
May 3, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

'The Burning Plain' is a character study wrapped in a mystery, focusing on the lingering shadows cast by infidelity. Charlize Theron’s performance is the film’s emotional anchor, a study in restraint and inner turmoil. The narrative’s non-linear approach…

C
Caleb Thorne
May 3, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

This is filmmaking with a profound emotional intelligence. 'The Burning Plain' masterfully constructs a mosaic of lives irrevocably altered by secrets and betrayal. Charlize Theron delivers a career-defining turn, embodying a quiet torment that is utterly captivating. The…

B
Beatrice Croft
May 3, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

The interwoven stories of 'The Burning Plain' promise a rich exploration of infidelity's fallout, and for the most part, it delivers. Charlize Theron’s performance is the steadying force, a portrait of a woman haunted by her past. The…

A
Arthur Finch
May 3, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

A beautifully melancholic exploration of consequence, 'The Burning Plain' is a film that trusts its audience. The narrative structure, which deftly braids disparate timelines and characters, is key to its success. Charlize Theron is exceptional, conveying a wealth…

E
Eleanor Vance
May 3, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

Charlize Theron anchors 'The Burning Plain' with a performance steeped in quiet desperation and simmering regret. The film, directed with a patient hand, weaves a tapestry of interconnected lives fractured by infidelity and loss. Its strength lies in…

FAQs

'The Burning Plain' deals with mature themes, including infidelity and the emotional fallout from tragedy. Its narrative is character-driven and often introspective, with a tone that can be quite somber and melancholic. While it doesn't shy away from the emotional complexities of its subject matter, it does so in a way that focuses on the psychological and relational impact rather than explicit content. Viewers should be prepared for a dramatic and emotionally charged experience.