← Back to results
Flatliners
1990 115 min United States of America R 18+
★6.7
Drama, Science Fiction, Horror
Director: Joel Schumacher
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
Five medical students experiment with "near death" experiences, until the dark consequences of past tragedies begin to jeopardize their lives.
Budget:
$26M
US Gross:
$61.49M
Worldwide:
$61.49M
Starring
Kiefer Sutherland
Actor
Kevin Bacon
Actor
Julia Roberts
Actor
Awards
Saturn Awards 1991
— Best Supporting Actress
Academy Awards 1991
— Best Sound Editing
Saturn Awards 1991
— Best Science Fiction Film
Key opinion
Flatliners is widely praised for its original, high-concept premise and evocative, atmospheric direction. While the talented ensemble cast generally earns acclaim, the film's execution divides audiences, with some finding the supernatural guilt-driven narrative compelling while others critique it for being inconsistent or lacking true horror.
| Originality | The premise of medical students inducing clinical death to explore the afterlife offers a uniquely original and compelling narrative foundation. | |
| Direction | Director Joel Schumacher successfully cultivates a dark, oppressive, and immersive atmosphere that remains a high point of the viewing experience. | |
| Acting | The ensemble cast, featuring standout turns from Kiefer Sutherland and Julia Roberts, delivers strong and memorable performances. | |
| Theme | The film blends medical science with supernatural elements to effectively explore themes of guilt, trauma, and the necessity of personal atonement. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is viewed through a polarized lens: supporters appreciate the metaphorical journey of self-liberation, whereas critics find the manifestation of visions to be inconsistent and lacking in narrative coherence. | |
| Emotion | The film’s efficacy as a horror movie is divisive; some viewers find the psychological tension chilling, while others feel it fails to provide genuine scares or descends into a clichéd 'ghost-chase' format. |