Flatliners (1990)
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A group of medical students conduct dangerous experiments to explore what happens after death.
The story
Medical student Nelson Wright convinces his classmates to help him discover what lies beyond death by conducting clandestine experiments that produce near-death experiences. Nelson flatlines for one minute before his classmates resuscitate him, and while 'dead', he sees a boy he bullied as a child. The others follow Nelson's feat, with each student undergoing their own flatline experience. However, the students soon begin to experience harrowing hallucinations and supernatural occurrences related to their visions, leading to a series of escalating psychological and physical crises as they struggle with the consequences of their actions.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Nelson Wright convinces his classmates to conduct experiments where they intentionally flatline. Nelson sees Billy Mahoney, a boy he bullied. Joe Hurley flatlines next and experiences an erotic sequence, while David Labraccio flatlines on Halloween and sees Winnie Hicks, a girl he bullied in grade school. All three men begin experiencing hallucinations: Nelson is assaulted by Billy, Joe is haunted by women he videotaped, and David is taunted by Winnie. Rachel Manus also flatlines and is haunted by her father's suicide. David tries to stop the others but fails to prevent Rachel's near-death experience. Joe's fiancée ends their relationship after finding his videos, causing his visions to cease. David apologizes to an adult Winnie. Nelson, haunted by Billy, attempts to beat himself with an axe. Rachel confronts Nelson about the supernatural nature of the experiments. Nelson takes Randy and Joe to a graveyard to confront his past, where he killed Billy. They become stranded. Rachel finds her father in a bathroom, who reveals his suicide was related to PTSD from Vietnam. Nelson decides to flatline again to make amends. The others race to save him. In the afterlife, Billy forgives Nelson for stoning him as a child. David gives Nelson one last shock, bringing him back to life.
- First release year
- 1990
- Runtime (minutes)
- 114
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Joel Schumacher
- Writers
- Peter Filardi · writer
- Cast and characters
- Kiefer Sutherland · Nelson Wright; Julia Roberts · Rachel Manus; Kevin Bacon · David Labraccio; William Baldwin · Joe Hurley; Oliver Platt · Randy Steckle; Kimberly Scott · Winnie Hicks; Joshua Rudoy · Billy Mahoney; Hope Davis · Anne Coldren
- Genres
- science fiction; psychological horror; drama; thriller
- Themes
- death; bullying; guilt; near-death experiences; supernatural
- Tone and mood
- gothic; atmospheric; intense; haunted
- Premise and plot tags
- medical students; supernatural; psychological thriller; science fiction
- Reception
- The film received mixed to average reviews, with critics praising its cast and visuals but criticizing the plot. It has since become a cult film and was described as a 'gothic self-help drama'.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 50% · review count: 54; CinemaScore · score: B+ · scale: A+ to F
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Sound Editing · 1990 · Nominated
- Production trivia
- The film was shot on the campus of Loyola University Chicago.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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