On Fire Parent Guide

Dave Laughlin (Peter Facinelli) is a regular guy with a lot on his plate. He’s proud of his son, Clay (Asher Angel), whose speed on the track could land him a college scholarship. He’s concerned about his wife, Sarah (Fiona Dourif), who is eight months pregnant and working full time to help pay the bills. He’s troubled by his dad, George (Lance Henriksen), who is cantankerous, frail, and sneaking cigarettes in secret, despite serious lung disease. Dave is also worried about money: he’s exceeded his credit at the local store, his dad’s medical costs are mounting up, and instead of seeing a mechanic, he’s repairing his truck with duct tape. Oh, and he doesn’t have insurance on the house….

Given the film’s title, it’s not difficult to predict the coming events. There are no surprises in either the plotline or individual character arcs. A massive wildfire makes huge gains in a short time, and soon this family is pushed to the extreme in a fight for survival. There are multiple scenes of towering flames, burning trees and buildings, falling sparks, and people running as fire surrounds them. Despite the danger, family members demonstrate love, loyalty, courage, determination, ingenuity, and a quiet but sincere religious faith. They also receive encouragement, support, and aid from first responders and this film gives credit to 9-1-1 operators, firefighters, and everyone else who devotes themselves to helping others.

The only real surprise in On Fire is the negative content. The film has a vaguely Christian vibe, so I was taken aback to hear a sexual expletive and ten scatological curses as well as scattered minor profanities and terms of deity. Violence in the film is all plot-related and there is no inter-personal aggression. However, the scenes of peril are very intense, and one person burns to death on screen, which could be disturbing to some viewers. The death of an important character might also trouble younger viewers.

I’m not certain who the target audience is for this movie. It’s too scary for kids and too predictable for adults. Those who are captivated by fire’s fearsome beauty might enjoy the well-shot conflagration scenes, but I find it unsettling to marvel at something that causes such terrible damage. If your teens are interested in natural disasters or climate issues, they might find this movie worth watching. If you’re trying to get your family on board with emergency planning for whatever natural disasters are possible in your area, it might be worth shelling out for tickets and popcorn. Personally, I’d wait for the film to stream and save the cash.

As I sat through this movie, I kept wondering if the film was topical or opportunistic. Is it trying to sound a warning bell about the dangers of fire, or exploit this year’s disastrous ones? After a summer which has seen devastating blazes in Hawaii and Greece, not to mention colossal Canadian fires that spread thick clouds of smoke to the USA and Europe, it is impossible to see fire as an occasional challenge in remote areas. Whether or not the countryside near you burns, the consequences of fire are inescapable. Unlike the Laughlins, we can’t all run, and there are no first responders who can rescue an entire planet. Reducing the number of forest fires and curbing their growth is a problem with no easy answers, but plenty of potential solutions. It’s up to us to see what each of us can do to save our one and only home.