Pyrokinesis is an alleged psychic ability allowing a person to create and control fire with the mind. There is no conclusive evidence that pyrokinesis is a real phenomenon. Alleged cases are said to be hoaxes, the result of trickery.
The word 'pyrokinesis' was coined by horror novelist Stephen King in his 1980 novel Firestarter to describe the ability to create and control fire with the mind. The word is intended to be parallel to telekinesis, with S.T. Joshi describing it as a "singularly unfortunate coinage." King is the first person to give the idea a name as neither the term pyrokinesis nor any other term describing the idea have been found in prior works. Parapsychologists describe pyrokinesis as the ability to excite the atoms within an object until they generate enough energy to burst into flame. Science fiction works describe pyrokinesis as the ability to speed up the movement of molecules in order to increase temperature and start fires.
A. W. Underwood, a 19th-century African-American, achieved minor celebrity status with the purported ability to set items ablaze. Magicians and scientists have suggested concealed pieces of phosphorus may have instead been responsible. The phosphorus could be readily ignited by breath or rubbing. Skeptical investigator Joe Nickell has written that Underwood may have used a "chemical-combustion technique, and still other means. Whatever the exact method — and the phosphorus trick might be the most likely — the possibilities of deception far outweigh any occult powers hinted at by Charles Fort or others."
Pyrokinesis (クロスファイア, Kurosufaia) is a 2000 Japanese film directed by Shusuke Kaneko. The film is about a woman with pyrokinetic powers seeks to avenge the murder of her friend.
Pyrokinesis was based off two novels by Miyuki Miyabe: Hatobuki Grass and Pyrokinesis.
Pyrokinesis was released theatrically in Japan on June 10, 2000 where it was distributed by Toho. The film was released directly to home video in the United States by Tokyo Shock on August 26, 2003.
I feel the fire burn my mind
Infared thoughts sent through me
Armed with burning intellect
Destroy and let my power free
Pyrokinesis
Child prodigy of the abyss
When the red light filled my eyes
Mental abilities unlimited
Flame burns whoever defines
Pyrokinesis
Burning eyes
Screaming cries
Telepathy dies
Destroy
Kill with psychic command
No one can withstand the heat
Their inferior brains alight