Brain on Fire (2016)

A young, capable professional cannot explain her newly erratic behavior.

Director:

Gerard Barrett

Writers:

Gerard Barrett (screenplay), Susannah Cahalan (memoir)

Stars:

Chloë Grace Moretz, Thomas Mann, Richard Armitage

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chloë Grace Moretz	...	Susannah Cahalan
Thomas Mann	...	Stephen Grywalski
Richard Armitage	...	Tom Cahalan
Carrie-Anne Moss	...	Rhona Nack
Jenny Slate	...	Margo
Tyler Perry	...	Richard
Alex Zahara	...	Allen
Jenn MacLean-Angus	...	Giselle (as Jean MacLean Angus)
Ken Tremblett	...	Senator
Navid Negahban	...	Dr. Najjar
Robert Moloney	...	Dr. Ryan
Agam Darshi	...	Dr. Khan
Janet Kidder	...	Dr. Siskin
Vincent Gale	...	Dr. Samson
Daniel Bacon	...	Dr. Han

Storyline

The film follows the harrowing experience of a writer struggling with a rare neurological disease from when she first suffers symptoms to the many attempts at diagnosing it and the eventual discovery of the real cause of her illness. Based on the book, 'Brain On Fire', the true story of Susannah Cahalan, a journalist for the New York Post.

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Plot Keywords:

encephalitis | rare disease | autoimmune disease | brain scan | brain swelling | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, brief language and partial nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

Ireland Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 June 2018 (USA)

Also Known As:

Brain on Fire - O Meu Mês de Loucura

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Foundation Features,Blank Page Productions,Broad Green Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Charlize Theron was cast in a role, but she dropped out. However, she remained on as a producer.

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Goofs

In the scene when she had a MRI the machine she was in was actually a CAT scan machine. Not MRI.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Susannah Cahalan: Have you ever been trapped? Lost in your own body, lost in your own mind, lost in time? So desperate to escape, to just... Get out.

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Soundtracks

Song for Kirsten Dunst

User Reviews

Difficult brain diagnosis turned into movie

A young newspaper writer suffers an unexpected breakdown and this film follows the consequences, medical review, treatment options, meds, etc. It's an interesting story with a somewhat rare root cause, but not that unique considering the exponential learning curve of medical science just in the last 50 years. The screenplay possibly originated in a medical journal.

For me, the best part was the insider's view of medical triage: the trials and tribulations of diagnosis, the pressure of expediency, and the effects of advocacy paired with available health care.

Suggestions for Chloe Grace Moretz casting/make-up: - the puffy lips were distracting - her nails were too perfect for someone earning a living at a keyboard AND suffering manic episodes.