Burn (2019) is a compelling dark comedy thriller that transforms a routine gas station robbery into a tense psychological character study. Directed by Mike Gan, this American indie film explores the unexpected connection between a desperate, cash-strapped robber and Melinda, a profoundly lonely and unstable night-shift attendant played with unsettling authenticity by Tilda Cobham-Hervey.

The plot unfolds almost in real-time during a tense overnight holdup, where Melinda sees the armed robbery not as a threat, but as a rare opportunity for human connection. Tired of being invisible and overshadowed by her more charismatic co-worker (Suki Waterhouse), she engages the nervous robber (Josh Hutcherson) in a dangerous game of cat and mouse. The film masterfully builds claustrophobic tension within the fluorescent-lit confines of the convenience store, using the limited setting to amplify the characters' escalating psychological drama.

Cobham-Hervey delivers a standout performance, capturing Melinda's fragile mental state with chilling precision, while Hutcherson effectively portrays the robber's escalating panic. The direction maintains a tight, suspenseful pace throughout the 88-minute runtime, blending moments of dark humor with genuine thriller elements. While the IMDb rating of 5.7 suggests divisive reception, Burn offers a unique character-driven take on the crime genre that will appeal to viewers who appreciate psychological tension over action. It's worth watching for its strong central performance and its clever subversion of hostage thriller tropes.