Flatliners, released in theaters on August 10, 1990, is a stylish and provocative psychological thriller that dares to ask the age-old question: what happens after we die?
The film centers on a group of ambitious and arrogant medical students who, led by the intense Nelson Wright (Kiefer Sutherland), embark on a dangerous and unethical experiment.
One by one, they induce temporary death in each other, stopping their hearts and brains for a few minutes before bringing them back to life. The goal is to document what they experience in the afterlife.
The first to “flatline” is Nelson, who comes back with a newfound knowledge and an inexplicable sense of confidence.
His fellow students, including the brilliant Rachel Mannus (Julia Roberts), the skeptical David Labraccio (Kevin Bacon), the troubled Joe Hurley (William Baldwin), and the cautious Randy Steckle (Oliver Platt), all follow suit.
Each of them has a unique and terrifying encounter on the other side, but the true horror begins after they are revived.
They soon discover that their brief trips to the other side have brought something back with them: ghostly visions of past sins and guilt. As their collective and individual pasts begin to haunt them in very real and dangerous ways, the group must confront their transgressions and find a way to stop the supernatural retribution before it’s too late.
Joel Schumacher directed the film.
The film was remade and released on September, 29, 2017.
Flatliners (Photo/Columbia Pictures)
Reception for Flatliners
Flatliners grossed $10 million on its opening weekend, finishing No. 1 at the box office, ahead of Ghost ($9.5 million), Air America ($8.1 million) and Presumed Innocent ($7.9 million).
The film would gross $61.5 million in its theatrical run during the epic summer of 1990’s blockbusters lineup.
Roger Ebert gave the film three out of four stars in his review.
Legacy
The film’s legacy is defined by its slick visual style, its thematic ambition, and the powerful chemistry of its young, up-and-coming cast.
Flatliners captured the zeitgeist of the early 90s, blending a high-concept sci-fi premise with a gothic, horror aesthetic. It remains a prime example of the supernatural thriller, showcasing a star-studded ensemble cast at a pivotal point in their careers.
While the film received mixed critical reviews upon its release, it has since become a cult classic, remembered for its daring concept and the chilling way it explores the idea that even in death, we cannot escape our past.
