Flatliners

Flatliners

Year: 1990

Runtime: 115 min

Language: English

Director: Joel Schumacher

Sci-FiDramaThrillerHorror

As five medical students embark on a daring experiment to defy mortality, they confront the darkest corners of existence. By temporarily ceasing the beat of one of their own hearts, they challenge the veil between life and death, risking the unknown consequences that await them upon return.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Flatliners (1990)
Explore the full timeline and setting of Flatliners (1990). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The movie operates in a contemporary setting where modern medical practices coexist with philosophical inquiries about life and death. It reflects societal curiosity about the afterlife during a time when advancements in science and technology encourage exploration of human consciousness and morality.

Location

abandoned building, grave-site

The abandoned building serves as the backdrop for the group's experiments, symbolizing both the risk and the curiosity inherent in their quest for knowledge about the afterlife. It is equipped with medical instruments, adding a clinical contrast to the supernatural events that unfold. The grave-site of Billy Mahoney becomes a pivotal location, representing the haunting consequences of their past actions and the search for redemption.

🏚️ Abandoned ⚰️ Grave-site

Last Updated: January 14, 2025 at 22:07

Main Characters – Flatliners (1990)
Meet the key characters of Flatliners (1990), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Nelson (Kiefer Sutherland)

Nelson is the ambitious leader of the group, driven by a desire to uncover the mysteries of life after death. His determination to experience the afterlife firsthand propels the narrative, yet his actions ultimately have dire consequences for his friends. As he confronts the ghosts of his past, Nelson's journey becomes a poignant exploration of guilt and the quest for redemption.

🧪 Scientist 😓 Guilt 🎓 Student

Joe Hurley (William Baldwin)

Joe is a charismatic but flawed character engaged to be married, yet burdened by his infidelities. His flat-lining experience reveals his moral conflicts and leads to haunting visions that force him to confront his past decisions. Joe's journey underscores themes of betrayal and the search for forgiveness within himself.

💍 Engaged 😔 Betrayal 🎭 Flawed

David Labraccio (Kevin Bacon)

David embodies the struggle between scientific curiosity and emotional turmoil. His bidding war with Rachel to see who can flat-line the longest signifies his competitiveness, while his haunting visions ultimately lead him toward seeking forgiveness for his past transgressions. David's character arc reveals the burden of guilt and the need for redemption.

🏆 Competitive 😶‍🌫️ Haunted 🎓 Student

Randall Steckle (Oliver Platt)

Steckle serves as both the comic relief and a voice of caution in the group. Initially skeptical of Nelson's plans, he becomes an integral part of their experiments yet is deeply affected by the ensuing consequences. His character highlights the tension between ambition and morality.

😂 Comic Relief 🤔 Skeptical 🎓 Student

Rachel Manus (Julia Roberts)

Rachel is a compassionate and strong-willed character whose participation in the experiments is driven by both scientific curiosity and emotional connection to her peers. Her haunting memories reveal her struggles with family trauma, making her journey one of healing and reconciliation.

❤️ Compassionate 👩‍⚕️ Healer 🎓 Student

Last Updated: January 14, 2025 at 22:07

Major Themes – Flatliners (1990)
Explore the central themes of Flatliners (1990), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💀 Afterlife

The theme of the afterlife permeates the narrative, driving the protagonists to confront their pasts and the consequences of their actions. Each character's near-death experience reveals their deepest regrets and fears, highlighting the intricate relationship between life choices and spiritual peace. The exploration of what lies beyond death serves as both a cautionary tale and an invitation for self-discovery.

🔍 Redemption

Redemption plays a crucial role as each character faces the demons of their past. The process of flat-lining serves as a metaphor for confronting one's mistakes, seeking forgiveness, and ultimately finding closure. The characters' journeys lead them to acknowledge their wrongdoings, offering a powerful message about the importance of making amends.

Last Updated: January 14, 2025 at 22:07

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