"Flatliners": My Life with the Dead Med Cult

What the Kids Were Watching

To paraphrase Nelson Wright's first line in the movie, today is a good day to talk about "Flatliners." This beautiful and bizarre 1990 film directed by Joel Schumacher captivated Sarah and Raf as young adults, and they have a lot to say about it. But does it hold up like the museum's giant sculptures...or more like the leaking ceiling?
Stylish and moody, "Flatliners" is the story of five ridiculously good-looking medical students who take turns stopping their hearts to experience the afterlife. They perform their deadly hobby in secret, surrounded by dramatic sculptures and murals of Greek gods in a museum undergoing renovations. So, yeah, it's not exactly realistic. According to Sarah, "It is absolutely gorgeous, and it makes absolutely zero sense." But -- at least to our hosts -- this movie doesn't need to make sense to be enjoyed. Its striking symbolism and what Raf dubs "tasteful excess" still look stunning, especially in the recent 4K transfer. "I recognize its flaws," Sarah admits (and the film does have a lot of flaws, like cultural appropriation and misogyny), "but I also love what works about it." Raf notes, "It is one of the front-line members of the goth army," following on the heels of 80s horror classic and fellow Kiefer Sutherland vehicle "The Lost Boys."
With Spooky Season just around the corner (or already here, according to our hosts), now's the time to grab your giant pumpkin mask and consider rewatching "Flatliners." It's not for everyone; but if you're in the mood to see character traits expressed in apartment decor, highly pettable hairstyles, and a lot of eerie-looking steam, you just might enjoy seeing it again. Just please don't celebrate with a bonfire on the museum steps.