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Flatliners

  • 19901990
  • 14A14A
  • 1h 55m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
86K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,238
215
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Kevin Bacon, Julia Roberts, William Baldwin, Kiefer Sutherland, and Oliver Platt in Flatliners (1990)
DramaHorrorSci-Fi
Five medical students experiment with "near death" experiences, until the dark consequences of past tragedies begin to jeopardize their lives.Five medical students experiment with "near death" experiences, until the dark consequences of past tragedies begin to jeopardize their lives.Five medical students experiment with "near death" experiences, until the dark consequences of past tragedies begin to jeopardize their lives.
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
86K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,238
215
  • Director
    • Joel Schumacher
  • Writer
    • Peter Filardi
  • Stars
    • Kiefer Sutherland
    • Kevin Bacon
    • Julia Roberts
Top credits
  • Director
    • Joel Schumacher
  • Writer
    • Peter Filardi
  • Stars
    • Kiefer Sutherland
    • Kevin Bacon
    • Julia Roberts
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 191User reviews
    • 63Critic reviews
    • 55Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 3 nominations total

    Videos2

    Flatliners (1990)
    Trailer 1:14
    Flatliners (1990)
    So '90s It Hurts: 'Flatliners'
    Video 1:53
    So '90s It Hurts: 'Flatliners'

    Photos75

    Kevin Bacon and Kiefer Sutherland in Flatliners (1990)
    Julia Roberts in Flatliners (1990)
    Kiefer Sutherland in Flatliners (1990)
    Kevin Bacon, Julia Roberts, William Baldwin, Kiefer Sutherland, and Oliver Platt in Flatliners (1990)
    Kevin Bacon, Julia Roberts, William Baldwin, Kiefer Sutherland, and Oliver Platt in Flatliners (1990)
    Richard Grieco at an event for Flatliners (1990)
    Balthazar Getty at an event for Flatliners (1990)
    Julia Roberts and Kiefer Sutherland at an event for Flatliners (1990)
    Paula Abdul at an event for Flatliners (1990)
    Flatliners (1990)
    Flatliners (1990)
    Kevin Bacon, Julia Roberts, and Kiefer Sutherland in Flatliners (1990)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Kiefer Sutherland
    Kiefer Sutherland
    • Nelson Wrightas Nelson Wright
    Kevin Bacon
    Kevin Bacon
    • David Labraccioas David Labraccio
    Julia Roberts
    Julia Roberts
    • Dr. Rachel Mannusas Dr. Rachel Mannus
    William Baldwin
    William Baldwin
    • Joe Hurleyas Joe Hurley
    Oliver Platt
    Oliver Platt
    • Randy Steckleas Randy Steckle
    Kimberly Scott
    Kimberly Scott
    • Winnie Hicksas Winnie Hicks
    Joshua Rudoy
    Joshua Rudoy
    • Billy Mahoneyas Billy Mahoney
    Benjamin Mouton
    Benjamin Mouton
    • Rachel's Fatheras Rachel's Father
    Aeryk Egan
    • Young Nelsonas Young Nelson
    Kesha Reed
    • Young Winnieas Young Winnie
    Hope Davis
    Hope Davis
    • Anne Coldrenas Anne Coldren
    Jim Ortlieb
    Jim Ortlieb
    • Uncle Daveas Uncle Dave
    John Duda
    • Young Labraccioas Young Labraccio
    • (as John Joseph Duda)
    Megan Stewart
    • Playground Kidas Playground Kid
    Tressa Thomas
    Tressa Thomas
    • Playground Kidas Playground Kid
    Gonzo Gonzalez
    • Playground Kidas Playground Kid
    Afram Bill Williams
    • Ben Hicksas Ben Hicks
    Deborah Thompson
    • Terryas Terry
    • Director
      • Joel Schumacher
    • Writer
      • Peter Filardi
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit
    Medical students begin to explore the realm of near death experiences, hoping for insights. Each has their heart stopped and is revived. They begin having flashes of walking nightmares from their childhood, reflecting sins they committed or had committed against them. The experiences continue to intensify, and they begin to be physically beaten by their visions as they try and go deeper into the death experience to find a cure. —John Vogel <jlvogel@comcast.net>
    near death experiencechildhood traumavoice messagestitching one's woundphotography281 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • It's beautiful. It's erotic. It's terrifying. They know. They've crossed the line.
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Horror
      • Sci-Fi
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • 14A
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Julia Roberts (Dr. Rachel Mannus) and Kiefer Sutherland (Nelson Wright) started dating during filming. They ended up engaged, but Roberts ultimately broke it off. She later married Lyle Lovett.
    • Goofs
      Defibrillator only works properly against bare skin. The proper medical procedure requires removal of clothing and undergarments around the chest prior to application.
    • Quotes

      [first lines]

      Nelson Wright: Today is a good day to die.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Flatliners/Young Guns II/The Two Jakes/Metropolitan/Life Is Cheap... But Toilet Paper Is Expensive (1990)
    • Soundtracks
      PARTY TOWN
      Written and Performed by David A. Stewart (as Dave Stewart)

      Courtesy of BMG Records (UK) Ltd.

    User reviews191

    Review
    Top review
    A dark, original thriller
    Hmmm.... Since I love Kiefer Sutherland so much, my review might be a little biased. He was, however, pretty good in Flatliners. A wonderful idea for a movie, and a great gothic-type thriller. Sutherland's guilt and fright at the return of boy he taunted terribly when he was young (I'll try not to give away the rest) seemed genuine, especially since he seems drawn more often than not to act characters that are a**holes (there was really no other way to put it). As a young medical school student, his research into life after death draws his friends into dangerous situations and a great finale. The medical school did seem a little sub-standard, though, I will admit. Kevin Bacon is great in Flatliners, as is one of my favorite sarcastic actors, Oliver Platt. William Baldwin's also a cutie and did okay, and though I'm not a Julia Roberts fan, so did she. The plot will draw you in and keep you on the edge of your seat, and there's an interesting dark atmosphere pervaded by a lot of red and blue for emotional impact. A good movie.. I'd give it at least an 8 out of 10
    helpful•29
    12
    • nitehawk-8
    • Jul 2, 1999

    FAQ9

    • What is "Flatliners" about?
    • Is "Flatliners" based on a book?
    • What was the problem with the patient in the first scene?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 10, 1990 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Lignes interdites
    • Filming locations
      • Museum of Science & Industry - 57th & Lake Shore Drive, Jackson Park, Hyde Park, Chicago, Illinois, USA
    • Production companies
      • Columbia Pictures
      • Stonebridge Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $26,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $61,489,265
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $10,034,685
      • Aug 12, 1990
    • Gross worldwide
      • $61,489,265
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 55 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

    Related news

    California sets $139m in tax credits for 23 features
    California sets $139m in tax credits for 23 features
    Aug 23ScreenDaily
    ‘Flatliners (2017)’ Giveaway on Blu-ray and Digital (3 Winners)
    Dec 14TheHDRoom

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