Movies

Inside the Mind of a Serial Arsonist: The Dark Secrets Revealed

BBG News

On a typical Wednesday evening in South Pasadena, California, the hardware store buzzed with its familiar rhythm: people perusing shelves, cash registers ringing, and soft fluorescent lights flickering above. Hidden among the aisles, a man deftly placed an incendiary device, constructed from a cigarette, matches, and paper, into a foam rubber display. Moments later, fire erupted, swallowing the store in a panic-inducing inferno.

On October 10, 1984, a fire broke out at Ole’s Home Center, leading to the tragic loss of four lives. This incident was one of approximately 2,000 suspicious fires that occurred in Southern California during the 1980s and early 1990s. The fires, which targeted craft shops, department stores, and discount retailers, shared a chilling similarity: delayed ignition, extensive damage, and the arsonist’s clean getaway. Investigators struggled to decipher a pattern that seemed deliberate but remained frustratingly hard to pin down.

The events detailed in the 2021 podcast “Firebug” served as inspiration for Apple TV+’s new crime drama series “Smoke”, which premieres on June 27 and stars Taron Egerton, Jurnee Smollett, Greg Kinnear, Anna Chlumsky, and John Leguizamo. However, it’s not a straightforward reenactment of the events. Instead, it delves into moral complexity, where distinctions between duty and illusion, heroism and hazard, become murky amidst the intensity of the fire.

According to Dennis Lehane, creator, executive producer, and writer of “Smoke”, it’s the human psyche that truly fuels his work. What drew him in wasn’t just the technical aspects of the fires, but rather the emotionally intriguing landscape that encompassed them. This, he said, was what he found himself drawn to.

Unraveling a mystery

Denis Lehane, known for novels such as “Gone, Baby, Gone” and “Mystic River” which have also been successful films, isn’t unfamiliar with the complexities of morality. At first, when he heard the story of “Firebug,” he wasn’t sure if it was a narrative he wanted to be involved in. However, the psychological nuances intrigued him. As he puts it, “I believe this is about individuals who are attracted to things that could potentially end their lives.

He didn’t treat Smoke as a riddle to unravel, but as a gripping drama that showcases guilt, self-delusion, and pride in the characters. A significant change was choosing to place the narrative in the current era instead of linking it to its real-life origins from the ’80s and ’90s. This alteration enables the series to explore modern concepts such as mistrust, institutional flaws, and an unsettling sense of existential discomfort.

The show brings together Lehane and Taron Egerton once more, having previously collaborated on the 2022 Apple TV+ series titled “Black Bird”. In this new production named “Smoke”, Egerton plays Dave Gudsen, an arson investigator in the fictional town of Umberland situated in the Pacific Northwest. His life becomes progressively strained due to a demanding case and a tumultuous personal life. He is then partnered with Michelle Calderone (Jurnee Smollett), a shrewd detective who’s newly transferred from the metro police robbery division. Since Michelle isn’t entangled in the local department’s close-knit loyalties, her unbiased viewpoint becomes crucial as they pursue a duo of serial arsonists; she notices things that others miss.

As the investigation deepens, it seems the focus of suspicion is drawing nearer to familiar faces. The evidence hints at one of the arsonists potentially having connections within the profession – maybe a firefighter, or someone even from within their own department – which leaves Dave grappling with a troubling thought: he could be chasing after a fellow worker, or even more unsettling, a close acquaintance.

Initially, the theme of Smoke resonated strongly with Egerton, who is also an executive producer. As he looks back, he says it seemed like a project that would push his limits. What particularly captivated him was the internal conflict in his character. Dave, he clarifies, portrays a man with a somewhat inflated self-image as a hero, but whose personal life doesn’t align perfectly with this persona. He is an individual who frequently challenges social norms.

As a movie critic, I’d rephrase it like this: In crafting his character, Egerton constructed an unconventional moral compass for Dave that challenges traditional norms. “He’s the man who seems to have everything figured out, knowing right from wrong and what’s best for everyone around him,” Egerton explains. “Yet, I had to delve deep into his psyche to understand the unique code of morality he adheres to: What actions are acceptable to him, what aren’t, and does this ethical system still hold when no one is watching?

The actor’s encounters were reflective of his character’s discomfort. Initially, Egerton grappled with expressing the intricacy of Dave, as Lehane remembers. “In those initial two episodes he appeared,” Lehane recollects, “I would say he was in an actor’s purgatory.

As a movie lover who’s seen it all, I can attest that working with Egerton on “Black Bird” made me realize he had the talent and determination to delve deep into emotionally intense territories. When you come across an actor who can perform any role you imagine, you keep them close, especially when they’re not just talented, but also a fantastic individual like Taron. His unease, I believe, was crucial for the character, providing Dave with a rawness and instability that portrays a man fighting to maintain his life’s balance.

A careful study of obsession

The true tale behind the movie “Smoke” was actually much more grim. By the late ’80s, Southern California was experiencing a series of mysterious fires known as a firestorm. These fires, which started in seemingly innocuous places like near a piece of fabric or in a foam rubber aisle at Ole’s, would rapidly escalate into disasters. In mere minutes, small indications would transform into full-blown catastrophes. Many buildings were completely destroyed, and by the time first responders arrived, they often found the structures fully ablaze, leaving no chance to salvage what was inside.

As the fires continued to spread, a growing feeling emerged that these weren’t mere accidents. The fire-starting method was strikingly similar: a rudimentary yet potent time-bomb setup, crafted from common household items such as cigarettes, matches, and pages from yellow notebooks with lines. The choice of targets appeared just as calculated: retail stores, family-owned shops, and warehouse-style outlets, all easily accessible, under-monitored, and stocked full of highly flammable goods.

Over the years, law enforcement focused their investigation on John Orr, a former fire captain. His fingerprint was discovered on a partially undamaged explosive device linked to an arson case. In 1992, he was found guilty by a federal jury on three charges of arson and given a 30-year prison sentence. The following year, he confessed to setting three more fires. In 1998, Orr faced another trial at the state level for 21 additional counts of arson and four counts of first-degree murder related to the 1984 fire at Ole’s Home Center in South Pasadena, California. He was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment without the chance of parole.

The tale didn’t conclude with Orr’s conviction; instead, it piqued the curiosity of filmmaker and former HBO executive Kary Antholis, who had been tracking the case for many years. His fascination wasn’t limited to the technical aspects of the crimes or the methods used to set fires, but rather delved into the psychological motivations behind them – why such acts were committed. This exploration formed the basis for Firebug, a podcast he co-created with Emmy-winning producer Marc Smerling.

By conducting extensive investigations and recording conversations with Orr and those acquainted with him, Antholis painstakingly constructed a chilling depiction of a man who, over many years, shaped his persona around arson and fabrication. One of the key findings by the authorities was a manuscript titled “Points of Origin“, a novel penned by Orr that eerily reflected actual fires in striking detail. According to Smerling, “He had been setting these fires for quite some time, so I believe he wanted recognition for his actions.

The outcome was not just a recount of true crimes, but rather a deep exploration of the captivating allure of control, which is how Firebug can be described. As Smerling elaborates, “Orr harbored a peculiar, twisted sense of self that propelled him to commit such acts.” He felt an overwhelming sense of powerlessness, and this was his method to assert dominance.

Moving from ambience to ‘action’

The series “Smoke” creatively reinterprets characters, relationships, and plotlines, but author Dennis Lehane has crafted a show that swaps sensationalism for a more unnerving exploration – delving into themes of identity, fixation, and disintegration. Each episode begins with a hauntingly beautiful prelude: a title sequence designed by Digital Kitchen, featuring items engulfed in fire and accompanied by a song titled “Dialing In” from Thom Yorke’s repertoire. Yorke’s melancholic track resonates with foreboding, establishing the emotional atmosphere for the ensuing scenes.

The deliberate atmosphere – moody, intense, and electric – was meticulously adjusted by Kari Skogland, who helmed the first two episodes of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and The Loudest Voice. David Lehane, the show’s creator, selected Skogland in part for her talent in eliciting subtle, nuanced performances from actors. “I would ask her to bring that out of the actress,” explains Lehane, further noting, “But I don’t want it to be immediately noticeable. I want it to be something viewers pick up on during a second viewing.

In an era where technology rules more and more, Smoke prefers to employ real-world effects whenever feasible. Lehane comments, “The fire in Event Horizon is breathtaking,” while mentioning the raw realism of films such as Backdraft and Only the Brave. “From the get-go, I told my team, this is what I envision. I don’t want to put anyone at risk, but we need to figure out how to create genuine fire using practical methods.

To make that idea a reality, the production team built a vast “fire stage” in Vancouver for controlled and safe burning. Not only did they employ fire-resistant materials and have safety-conscious crew members, but firefighters from the city were nearby during filming. This wasn’t mere showmanship, but a dedication to authenticity. The fire needed to appear live, unpredictable, and believable – something the actors had to face in real moments.

In the first scene of the pilot for Smoke, one of the most intricate and challenging sequences is presented, involving a character portrayed by Egerton who bravely explores a house filled with flames that had been hoarded. To pull off this effect, perfect coordination among the crew was essential, especially since Egerton himself was moving through the increasingly intense blaze. “Taron, what an incredible man,” Lehane praises. “There are no computer-generated effects in that scene. That’s just Taron acting on a set surrounded by real flames with pipes full of fire.

Egerton, on the other hand, appreciated the production’s dedication to authenticity. “I believe we all experience a certain weariness when things rely too heavily on computer-generated effects,” he expressed. “There’s genuine worth in narratives that revolve around tangible and practical elements.” He found it a difficult scene to execute, but as he put it, “Things of value are usually earned through effort. It carries a certain magical quality to it.

What tragedy leaves behind

In the gripping series “Smoke“, I find that fire serves as more than just a destructive element; it’s the emotional language of the show, subtly conveying feelings such as guilt bubbling beneath the surface, pride burning away, and lies sparking and consuming.

In my critique, I find the show’s underlying terror and disquiet stem from an icy premise: the unsettling reality that menacing individuals frequently blend amongst us, unnoticed. As Smerling articulates, it’s not that we fail to spot them; rather, we simply overlook them because our gaze seldom delves beyond superficial appearances. To truly understand these characters demands a profound exploration of their psyches, peeling back layers that often remain hidden from casual observation.

Egerton deeply identifies with the idea that the world of Smoke is a twisted reflection of reality, a warped dreamscape of moral ambiguity. He describes it as resembling our world, but with an eerie, intensified quality to it. As the series progresses, the storyline evolves and what starts as a crime-centric narrative transforms into something more abstract, delving deeper into characters’ psyches. “It undergoes significant changes, distortions over time,” Egerton explains. “It ultimately becomes something much more psychological and bizarre.

In my perspective, the deepest destruction for me isn’t about what the fire consumes, but rather what it uncovers. The most chilling scenes in this production are its most personal: the silent self-reflections, truths long buried, characters who struggle to face their own reflections in the mirror. I aspire that it encourages people to scrutinize the paths they’re treading on. I wish we could all openly acknowledge, “We’re all flawed – every last one of us.” If you think you’re not, then perhaps you’re deceiving not only yourself, but everyone around you. So, strive for a little improvement each day.

The essence of “Smoke” revolves around the central theme. Buried beneath the flames and mystery, it poses a straightforward yet challenging query: What price must one pay for living in denial? As Lehane puts it, “Every character in this series deceives themselves, and all it brings is sorrow.” In other words, very few characters are truthful with themselves, and the pain that ensues speaks volumes.

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2025-06-04 21:11

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