Stephen King's Firestarter: The Cult Classic Dividing Fans
Stephen King's Firestarter has split fans and critics for decades. As the New Year rolls in, is the original film or its reboot the better binge-watch? Dive into the debate and discover what makes this story endure.
With the festive season in full swing and 2025 just around the corner, plenty of us are on the hunt for a good film to settle in with. While Christmas flicks are everywhere, some punters are looking ahead to New Year’s Eve, searching for something a bit different. Enter Stephen King’s Firestarter—a tale about a young girl with extraordinary abilities that’s sparked debate for years.
King’s Disappointment and the 1984 Adaptation
Firestarter holds a special place for King, but the 1984 adaptation starring Drew Barrymore didn’t exactly win him over. In an interview, the horror maestro didn’t mince words:
Firestarter is one of the worst of the bunch, even though in terms of story, it’s very close to the original. But it’s flavourless; it’s like cafeteria mashed potatoes. There are things that happen in terms of special effects in that film that make no sense to me whatsoever.
King also questioned the logic behind Barrymore’s hair blowing up every time her character was about to unleash her powers. He reckoned the young actor had heaps of potential, but the execution left him scratching his head. The 1984 film featured Barrymore as Charlie McGee, with David Keith playing her father, Andy. The cast also included Martin Sheen and George C. Scott, making for a line-up that’s hard to ignore.
Comparing the 1984 Original and the 2022 Reboot
King’s 1980 novel has seen two big-screen adaptations. The first became a cult favourite, while the 2022 reboot brought Zac Efron into the mix, aiming to win over a new generation of fans. Barrymore’s portrayal of Charlie in the original is still remembered for its emotional punch—her performance swings from innocent giggles to raw, pyrokinetic rage, making the audience feel every bit of her struggle.
In the reboot, Efron steps in as Andy, Charlie’s dad. He brings a certain vulnerability to the role, showing a bloke who’s trying to keep it together while knowing just how tough his daughter’s life is. Still, most locals reckon the 1984 version packs more of a punch, especially given the era it came out in. The ‘80s were a golden time for horror, with John Carpenter’s work and zombie flicks like Re-Animator setting the tone. Mark L. Lester’s take on Firestarter fits right in with that crowd.
What Makes Firestarter a Cult Classic?
Both versions have their strengths, but the original has managed to haunt viewers for decades. Part of its appeal is how quickly it hit cinemas after the book’s release—just four years later. The ‘80s were full of horror films, but Firestarter managed to stand out, thanks in part to Barrymore’s performance. She was both endearing and unsettling, making it hard to look away.
The film also didn’t shy away from showing the darker side of scientific experimentation on kids, which was pretty confronting for audiences at the time. That edge helped cement its status as a cult hit. For those keen to compare, the 1984 film scores 6.1/10 on IMDb and 40% on Rotten Tomatoes, while the 2022 version lags behind with 4.6/10 and 10% respectively. You can catch the original on Crunchyroll, while the reboot is up on Netflix.