Flatliners (1990)

★ 6.5 1h 55m 1,704 votes IMDb

Five medical students experiment with "near death" experiences, until the dark consequences of past tragedies begin to jeopardize their lives.

Flatliners

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Cast

Kiefer Sutherland
Kiefer Sutherland as Nelson Wright Age 59 · Paddington, London, England, UK Kiefer Sutherland (born December 21, 1966) is a British-Canadian actor, producer and director, best known for his portrayal of Jack Bauer on the Fox thriller drama series 24. Sutherland first achieved...
Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts as Rachel Mannus Age 58 · Smyrna, Georgia, USA Julia Fiona Roberts (born October 28, 1967) is an American actress. Known for her leading roles in films encompassing a variety of genres, she has received multiple accolades, including an Academy Awa...
Kevin Bacon
Kevin Bacon as David Labraccio Age 67 · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA Kevin Norwood Bacon (born July 8, 1958) is an American film and theater actor whose notable films include Animal House, Diner, Footloose, Flatliners, A Few Good Men, Apollo 13, Mystic River, The Woods...
William Baldwin
William Baldwin as Joe Hurley Age 63 · Massapequa, New York, USA William Joseph 'Billy' Baldwin (born February 21, 1963) is an American actor, producer, and writer, known for his starring roles in such films as Flatliners (1990), Backdraft (1991), Sliver (1993), Fa...
Oliver Platt
Oliver Platt as Randy Steckle Age 66 · Windsor, Ontario, Canada Oliver Platt (born January 12, 1960) is a Canadian-born American actor. He is known for his starring roles in many films such as Flatliners (1990), Beethoven (1992), Indecent Proposal, The Three Muske...
Kimberly Scott
Kimberly Scott as Winnie Hicks Age 64 · Kingsville, Texas, USA Kimberly Aileen Scott (born 11 December 1961) is an American actress. She received a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play nomination for her performance in the 1988 play Joe Turner's Come an...

Audience Reviews

John Chard 7/10 Nov 23, 2014
The arrogance of medicinally inclined youth!

I remember coming out the theatre after having seen Flatliners in 1990 and being really annoyed. The premise of the story is so superb and was ripe for a terrifying horror film, but Flatliners then, and now, is not terrifying, but that actually doesn't matter.

In 1990 some of the more bright young acting prospects were off making Memphis Belle, the other half that was made up of potential Brat Packers like Kiefer Sutherland, Julia Roberts, William Baldwin, Oliver Platt and Kevin Bacon, were joining director Joel Schumacher for this delve into life after death experiments.

The tyro medical students, led by a darkly egotistical Sutherland, begin inducing their own deaths to see what awaits once the flatline has been reached. Seems great at first, but as the students push the time limits of being dead still further, what comes into their real worlds is actually not welcome.

Pic is never close to being frightening, but the thematics involved are chilling and the big message at its heart is loud and clear. At times it's an uneasy blend of supernatural dalliances and medical science, but the breezy cast hold engagement, while cinematographer Jan de Bont's misty lenses are perfectly in the realm of the ethereal. 7/10
GenerationofSwine 10/10 Jan 12, 2023
Stop for a minute and contemplate the fact that Joel Schumacher made this when he was channeling Joel Schumacher and it actually turned out to be a good, compelling, and frightening film.

How the heck did that happen?

I mean, sure, the story was good for a horror flick and it was pretty compelling. And, to be fair, it did have a great case and the acting was beyond par.

So you know, there was a lot working for it despite it being Joel Schumacher in the 90s being Joel Schumacher in the 90s.

I guess what I am saying is that you should give it a shot, despite the director.
Alunauwie 9/10 Sep 30, 2025
Flatliners presents a compelling concept about exploring life after death through risky medical experiments conducted by five ambitious students. The film unfolds with a strong character build-up and escalating tension as supernatural consequences begin haunting them. Emotional depth is explored through personal guilt and unresolved trauma, making each character's journey unique. With impressive acting, effective use of visuals, and a strong moral message, the film remains engaging and thought-provoking. Despite its age, Flatliners delivers a powerful reminder that death—and guilt—should never be taken lightly.

Read the full review here: (Indonesian version : alunauwie.com) and (English version : uwiepuspita.com)
kevin2019 6/10 Feb 13, 2026
"Flatliners" makes for incredibly atmospheric viewing and it has a superb central idea, but like so many other films with superb central ideas it struggles with the challenge of doing something innovative or significant with it. After all, death is the last great mystery which we must all face. What actually happens after you die? This film takes that fascinating conundrum and it follows the familiar religious dictum which tells us after we die we must each atone for our many misdemeanors committed during the course of our lifetime and then be punished accordingly. This is the only consequential achievement of the entire disappointing film and by the time the end credits begin to roll you are left with a feeling that the possiblity of redemption is perhaps the best the afterlife has to offer.

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