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DramaMystery Busan 2025 · Defining Moments of Asian Cinema

Burning

Directed by Lee Chang-dong · 2018 ·

Short answer

Is Burning worth watching?

Yes. Burning (2018) earns an 85% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics (95%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (67%). See the 4 inputs.

85%
Celluloid Score Recommended

4-input transparent breakdown

95% Editorial Rating
67% Audience snapshot · excluded
90 Metascore
★★★★☆ Letterboxd 4
7.5 IMDb /10
0
Watch Trailer
Released
Runtime
2h 28m
Age rating
NR (US) · 19 (South Korea) · R15+ (Japan)
Cast
Yoo Ah-in , Steven Yeun , Jeon Jong-seo
Streaming
MUBI
Language
Korean

Also known as 버닝 Em Chamas バーニング 劇場版 燃烧 燃燒烈愛 Şüphe Burning - L'amore brucia มือเพลิง

🏆 2 award wins · 2 nominations — Won Best Director, Blue Dragon Film Awards 2018

Where to watch

  • MUBI

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home

Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home

Where to watch Burning by country

Country Streaming on
India Prime Video
Japan Prime Video, Hulu, U-NEXT
South Korea Netflix, Wavve, TVING
Turkey TV+
United States MUBI

Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.

Why this score?

  • Celluloid's editorial rating is exceptional (95/100).
  • General viewers mostly liked it (67%).
  • Metascore signals universal acclaim (90/100).
  • Letterboxd diarists rate it highly (4/5).
  • Celluloid Score 85% combines 4 rating inputs; audience sentiment is shown separately. Consult the source notes for verification dates where recorded.

Best for

  • Viewers who want a well-regarded drama, mystery pick
  • Critics' darlings — stronger with reviewers than general viewers

Not ideal for

    Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy

    Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.

    Is Burning worth watching?

    Yes — Burning earns an 85% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded drama, mystery pick. Read our full review (4.5/5).

    Celluloid verdict

    Lee Chang-dong's slow-burn Haruki Murakami adaptation simmers with class tension and unanswered violence.

    , Founder & Editor

    Critics (95%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (67%).

    What is Burning about?

    A deliveryman reconnects with a childhood friend who introduces him to a mysterious wealthy man, sparking jealousy and existential dread.

    Watch the Trailer

    Critic Reviews

    Short review 4 min read English Burning

    Burning (2018) Review: Class Rage at a Slow Burn

    Burning is Lee Chang-dong's hypnotic Murakami adaptation, a Korean mystery about a young man, an old friend and a rich stranger that simmers with class resentment.

    Yes. It is one of the great mysteries of recent cinema for patient viewers who enjoy ambiguity; anyone wanting neat answers or a fast thriller should look elsewhere.

    Kaiser Khan Founder & Editor

    Burning stills

    Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.

    Burning production still 1
    Burning production still 2
    Burning production still 3
    Burning production still 4
    Burning production still 5
    Burning production still 6

    Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.

    Reader takes

    No reader takes published yet. Send yours and we may publish it after editing.

    Burning: frequently asked questions

    Is Burning worth watching?

    Yes. Burning (2018) has a Celluloid Score of 85%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.

    Where can I watch Burning?

    In the United States, Burning streams on MUBI with a subscription, and you can rent it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube. Elsewhere: Prime Video in India; Prime Video, Hulu, U-NEXT in Japan; Netflix, Wavve, TVING in South Korea; TV+ in Turkey. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.

    How long is Burning?

    Burning runs 2 hours 28 minutes (148 minutes).

    What is Burning rated?

    Burning is rated NR in the United States, 19 in South Korea and R15+ in Japan. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.

    Who stars in Burning?

    Burning is directed by Lee Chang-dong and stars Yoo Ah-in, Steven Yeun, Jeon Jong-seo.

    What is the Metascore for Burning?

    Metacritic's Metascore for Burning is 90 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.

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