Spontaneous Combustion is a 1990 American science fiction horror film directed by Tobe Hooper starring Brad Dourif. It was written by Tobe Hooper and Howard Goldberg, based on a story by Hooper.
Plot[]
In 1955, in an underground bunker in the middle of a Nevada desert, Brian and Peggy Bell are a couple who become subjects of a human experiment. In this experiment called Operation Samson they are exposed to a massive nuclear explosion as part of a specific project to test immune substances against radiation. They survive the detonation and are celebrated and revered as national heroes afterwards. However, when the high-ranking military and nuclear scientists find out about Peggy's pregnancy a short time later, which causes them dismay and concern, they cannot decide to have an abortion. The newborn, a son named David, is subjected to various tests immediately after birth, but is reported as "healthy" with a slightly elevated temperature. On the same day, his parents die in agony from spontaneous human combustion, the so-called "Fire Syndrome".
As an adult, David, now called Sam, who is now 34 years old, is a teacher in California. He begins to have spontaneous combustion in the form of pyrokinesis, especially, when he has emotional distress. It also means he can control fire and electricity this way. He tries to do something about it with the help of Lisa, whose parents suffered a similar fate, but to no avail.
However, when he discovers through his doctor, who he visits and who intends to kill him because of his situation, that he has been subjected to ruthless experiments by him and the people he works for, that he has been controlled his whole life and that they now want to kill him, he runs amok against them because of their actions by killing them using his newfound powers, who at the same time are killing him while he also loses more and more the control of his powers, which causes him to also kill innocent people.
In the meantime Lisa begins to suffer a similar fate for which they also intend to kill her. With his last strengh Sam manages to save her and free her from her condition. During the event he disintegrates.
Cast[]
- Brad Dourif as Sam Kramer/David Bell
- Cynthia Bain as Lisa Wilcox
- Jon Cypher as Dr. Marsh
- William Prince as Lew Orlander
- Melinda Dillon as Nina
- Dey Young as Rachel
- Stacy Edwards as Peggy Bell
- Brian Bremer as Brian Bell
