Omari Gates
The 1990 American science fiction psychological horror film Flatliners was rated differently by various critics. While some critics praised the film for its entertainment value and talented young cast, others found it disappointing, with one critic from Entertainment Weekly giving it a D rating. The film was directed by Joel Schumacher and starred Kiefer Sutherland, Julia Roberts, William Baldwin, Oliver Platt, and Kevin Bacon. A follow-up film was released in 2017, with a similar plot but failing to improve upon its source material, receiving mixed reviews.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Title | Flatliners |
| Year | 1990 |
| Genre | Science fiction, horror |
| Director | Joel Schumacher |
| Producer | Michael Douglas, Rick Bieber |
| Writer | Peter Filardi |
| Starring | Kiefer Sutherland, Julia Roberts, William Baldwin, Oliver Platt, Kevin Bacon |
| Rating | 2/5 |
| Streaming platforms | YouTube, Google TV, Apple TV Store, Prime Video Store |
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What You'll Learn
Plot summary
Flatliners is a 1990 American science fiction psychological horror film directed by Joel Schumacher. It stars Kiefer Sutherland, Julia Roberts, William Baldwin, Oliver Platt, and Kevin Bacon. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Sound Editing in 1990. A remake of the film was released in 2017, starring Elliot Page, Diego Luna, Nina Dobrev, James Norton, Kiersey Clemons, and Kiefer Sutherland.
The film centres on five medical students who attempt to find out what lies beyond death by conducting clandestine experiments that produce near-death experiences. The students trigger these experiences by stopping their hearts for short periods of time. As the experiments become more dangerous, each student must confront the sins from their past while facing the paranormal consequences of their journey to the "other side".
One of the students, Joe, experiences an erotic sequence linked to his promiscuous lifestyle. Another student, David, sees an 8-year-old girl, Winnie Hicks, whom he bullied in grade school. The students start to experience hallucinations related to their visions. Nelson, another student, is physically assaulted by Billy Mahoney and haunted by his guilt over the death of his father, who committed suicide due to post-traumatic stress disorder from his time in Vietnam.
As the film progresses, the students realise the dangers of their experiments and try to stop each other from continuing. However, they struggle to break free from the paranormal consequences of their actions.
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Critical reception
The 1990 film Flatliners received mixed reviews from critics. Roger Ebert praised the film as "an original, intelligent thriller, well-directed by Joel Schumacher" and commended the cast as "talented young actors". However, Ebert criticised the film for its plot manipulation, a view shared by Peter Travers of Rolling Stone magazine, who also complained that the film "dodges the questions it raises about life after death". Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly gave the film a "D" rating.
The 2017 remake of Flatliners was less well-received. On Rotten Tomatoes, only 4% of 79 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 3.6/10. The website's consensus states: "Flatliners falls flat as a horror movie and fails to improve upon its source material, rendering this reboot dead on arrival". Peter Travers of Rolling Stone called the film "witless and stupefyingly dull", and Ryan Porter of The Star commented that the film takes a solid premise and fails to develop it in an interesting or exciting way. Matt Zoller Seitz said that the premise "settled into a sort of gothic self-help drama groove".
Some critics, however, did enjoy the 2017 remake. One review on Metacritic describes the film as "absolutely gripping and a very good premise", and another review on the same site calls it a "fascinating film and a fascinating plot".
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![Flatliners [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/5168uj1xQ7L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Original vs. remake
The original 1990 film *Flatliners*, directed by Joel Schumacher, is a gothic horror hit that dealt with religion, past regrets, and morality. The film follows five medical students who attempt to get a glimpse of the afterlife. Despite the film's financial success, it received poor reviews.
The 2017 remake, directed by Niels Arden Oplev, stars Elliot Page, Nina Dobrev, and James Norton. This version is flashier and brightly lit, focusing more on jump scares, dream sequences, and near-death experiences. The remake has been criticised for lacking the original's intrigue and tension, and failing to improve upon its source material.
The original film has been criticised for its treatment of Julia Roberts' character, Rachel, who is the only female student in the film's medical school. The remake addresses this issue by having a woman, Ellen Page's Courtney, instigate the flatlining experiment. However, the 2017 version has been criticised for its portrayal of a white male character, Jamie, who embodies white male entitlement.
While the 1990 version has been praised for its exploration of the unsettling and unknown nature of death and the afterlife, the remake has been described as packed with jump scares and twisted faces that feel forced and insincere. The original's dark, shadowy aesthetic and religious undertones are replaced with white and brightly lit scenes in the remake.
Overall, the 2017 remake of *Flatliners* has been met with mixed reviews, with some critics considering it a disappointing and forgettable retread of the original, while others find it entertaining, if not entirely successful.
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Awards and nominations
The 1990 American science fiction psychological horror film "Flatliners" received various awards and nominations. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Sound Editing in 1990 (Charles L. Campbell and Richard C. Franklin). Julia Roberts was also nominated for a 1991 Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress.
The film's critical reception was mixed, with a 50% positive review rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 55 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.
"Flatliners" was eligible for the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards (AACTA Awards), previously known as the Australian Film Institute Awards or AFI Awards. The AACTA Awards are the most prestigious awards ceremony for the Australian film and television industry and are considered the Australian counterpart to the Academy Awards and BAFTA Awards. The awards recognise excellence in the local and international film and television industries, including producers, directors, actors, writers, and cinematographers.
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Viewing platforms
Flatliners is available to watch on several platforms in Australia. The movie can be streamed on Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel or for free with ads on Xumo Play. It can also be rented on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home, and the Microsoft Store. Additionally, it can be downloaded on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home, and the Microsoft Store.
For those who prefer traditional TV services, Foxtel Now offers a variety of channels and packages, including sports and major sports events. While Foxtel Now's mobile apps don't allow downloading content for offline viewing, almost all shows can be streamed on demand at any time. This service is ideal for frequent travellers within Australia, as it cannot be accessed while overseas.
Other streaming options in Australia include YouTube, Google TV, Apple TV Store, and Prime Video Store. These platforms provide on-demand access to a range of movies and TV shows, including Flatliners.
It's worth noting that some platforms may have exclusive rights or geographical restrictions, so it's always a good idea to check the availability in your specific region. Additionally, some platforms may offer free trials or have different subscription plans, providing flexibility and choices to suit your preferences and budget.
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