Flatliners (2017 film)

Flatliners (2017)

Flatliners (2017) is a science fiction psychological thriller film directed by Niels Arden Oplev, based on the 1990 film of the same name. It stars Ellen Page, Diego Luna, Nina Dobrev, James Norton, and Kiersey Clemons as five medical students who embark on a daring and dangerous experiment to explore what lies beyond death. The students trigger near-death experiences by stopping their hearts for short periods of time, thus "flatlining." As they push the boundaries of this experiment further, each student experiences flashbacks of past sins, followed by the physical manifestations of their childhood fears and past transgressions, which begin to jeopardize their lives.

The screenplay for the 2017 version of Flatliners was written by Ben Ripley, who is known for his work on the science fiction thriller Source Code. The film attempts to blend elements of horror with philosophical questions about life after death and the moral consequences of one's actions. Despite its intriguing premise, Flatliners (2017) received mixed to negative reviews from critics, who often compared it unfavorably to its 1990 predecessor. Criticisms were directed at its screenplay, pacing, and perceived lack of originality, though some performances, particularly those of Page and Luna, were praised.

Plot

The film follows Courtney Holmes (played by Ellen Page), a medical student haunted by the car accident that killed her younger sister. Courtney becomes obsessed with the idea of the afterlife and convinces four of her fellow students to join her in an experiment to find out what lies beyond death. Each student takes turns undergoing a controlled clinical death, which they record with medical equipment in an abandoned hospital wing. After being revived, they each report increasingly disturbing experiences, including visions of past events and supernatural phenomena.

As the experiments continue, the consequences become more severe. The students are haunted by their pasts, not just metaphorically but literally, as they start to experience unexplainable and terrifying events. The film delves into themes of guilt, redemption, and the ethical boundaries of scientific inquiry.

Cast

• Ellen Page as Courtney Holmes
• Diego Luna as Ray
• Nina Dobrev as Marlo
• James Norton as Jamie
• Kiersey Clemons as Sophia

Production

Flatliners was produced by Laurence Mark, Michael Douglas, and Peter Safran. The film was shot in Toronto, Canada, and aimed to update the original film's concept with contemporary scientific insights and visual effects. The director, Niels Arden Oplev, is known for his work on the original Swedish film The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009).

Reception

Upon its release, Flatliners (2017) was met with generally unfavorable reviews from critics. Many felt that the film failed to live up to the original's innovative concept and criticized it for not fully exploring its philosophical questions. However, some reviewers found value in the performances and the visual style of the film.

See Also

• Flatliners (1990 film)
• Science fiction film
• Psychological thriller