Spontaneous Combustion (film)
Spontaneous Combustion is a 1990 American science fiction horror film, directed by Tobe Hooper. It was written by Tobe Hooper and Howard Goldberg, based on a story by Hooper, and is a co-production between Henry Bushkin, Sanford Hampton, Jerrold W. Lambert, Jim Rogers and Arthur M. Sarkissian.
It was nominated for best film in the 1991 Fantasporto International Fantasy Film Awards.
Plot
Brad Dourif plays the role of Sam, who learns that his parents were part of an atomic bomb experiment. As an adult, Sam discovers he has the power of pyrokinesis. He is able to control fire and electricity but with terrible consequences to his body afterwards. The cast also includes actors Melinda Dillon and Cynthia Bain.
Cast
Brad Dourif as Sam
Cynthia Bain as Cynthia Bain
Jon Cypher as Dr. Marsh
William Prince as Lew Orlander
Melinda Dillon as Nina
Dey Young as Rachel
Critical reception
Spin magazine, while writing, "no one makes bad movies as deliriously entertaining as Tobe Hooper, whose career continues its spectacular downward slide with Spontaneous Combustion", gave the film an overall favorable review. John Kenneth Muir, in his book Horror Films of the 1980s, wrote, "Spontaneous Combustion commences on a high note of creativity and wit, but then promptly goes down in flames."