Popcorn Wire has learned from Collider that Brightburn, the notorious superhero-horror hybrid, officially arrived on Peacock in the United States on October 1st. This marks a new streaming home for the film, which offers a starkly different vision of an alien child arriving on Earth than the one typically associated with the Man of Steel.

Before taking the reins of the DC Universe, James Gunn served as a producer on Brightburn, a project that delves into a chilling hypothetical: what if Superman's origin story took a sinister turn? Instead of a beacon of hope, the superpowered alien child who crashes onto a rural American farm grows up with malevolent intentions, deciding that helping humanity is far less interesting than terrorizing it. The film, directed by David Yarovesky and penned by Mark Gunn and Brian Gunn, explores this dark premise with unsettling efficacy.

The story centers on Tori (Elizabeth Banks) and Kyle Breyer (David Denman), whose dreams of motherhood come true with the arrival of a mysterious baby boy, Brandon. Initially, Brandon appears to be everything they ever wished for: bright, talented, and curious. However, as Brandon (played by Jackson A. Dunn) approaches puberty, a formidable darkness begins to manifest within him. Tori's initial joy gives way to terrible doubts as Brandon's twisted urges take hold, transforming the miracle child into a vicious predator unleashed upon an unsuspecting Kansas town. The cast also features Matt Jones, Meredith Hagner, Emmie Hunter, Becky Wahlstrom, and Gregory Alan Williams.

Upon its 2019 release, Brightburn garnered a split reception from critics, currently holding a 57% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences, however, were slightly more receptive, giving it a 67% score. Despite the mixed critical reviews, the film proved to be a profitable venture. Produced on a modest budget, reportedly between $6 million and $12 million, Brightburn went on to earn approximately $33 million worldwide. This financial success underscored the appeal of its unique blend of superhero tropes and slasher horror, affirming its place as a distinctive entry in the genre landscape. Its arrival on Peacock provides a timely opportunity for fans to revisit or discover this 'evil Superman' narrative.