Back in the 1980’s, director Joel Schumacher was at the top of his game. With St. Elmo’s Fire and The Lost Boys, he had not only become a Hollywood talent, but he was able to bring movies to cinemas that identified with young people. Whether moviegoers knew it, they began to flock to his films. The arrival of 1990 his latest film, Flatliners, continued the trend. With its cast of bratpack or hip actors, the film was a hit. Starring Keifer Sutherland, Kevin Bacon, and Julia Roberts, the film immediately attracted the attention of critics and audiences alike.

A group of med students, led by the charismatic Nelson Wright, head to the basement of their university to try to find if the afterlife actually exists. One by one, the five begin to perform self induced deaths, or flatlining, before being revived after a few minutes. To there shock, indeed they see what is across the beyond. But unfortunately for each, something came back with them.

The movie was a big success and continued the run of the three main leads and the director. Now in 2017, a remake has been released directed by Niels Arden Oplev (behind The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo) and starring Ellen Page and Nina Dobrev. Dark Discussions takes a look at the original cult classic, its legacy, and the new adaption.