Today’s Prayer Focus
Copyright, Screen Gems, a division of Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment
MOVIE REVIEW

Flatliners

also known as “Além da Morte,” “Besivaikantys mirti,” “Cizgi Ötesi,” See more »
MPA Rating: PG-13-Rating (MPA) for violence and terror, sexual content, language, thematic material, and some drug references.

Reviewed by: David Criswell, Ph.D.
CONTRIBUTOR

Moral Rating: Very Offensive
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: Adults
Genre: Sci-Fi Horror Remake
Length: 1 hr. 50 min.
Year of Release: 2017
USA Release: September 29, 2017 (wide—2,552 theaters)
DVD: December 26 2017
Copyright, Screen Gems, a division of Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainmentclick photos to ENLARGE Copyright, Screen Gems, a division of Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment Copyright, Screen Gems, a division of Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment
Relevant Issues

NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCES—Who is the being of light encountered in near-death experiences? Answer

What is DEATH? and why does it exist? Answer in the Bible

Copyright, Screen Gems, a division of Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment

What is the FINAL JUDGMENT? and what do you need to know about it? Answer

Copyright, Screen Gems, a division of Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment

What is RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD? and is it real? Answer

Copyright, Screen Gems, a division of Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment
After your life on Earth

What happens to us after we die?

What is ETERNAL LIFE? Answer

What is ETERNAL DEATH? Answer

Q&As about Jesus Christ’s resurrection

What is the eternal destiny of an infant or young child who dies? Answer

Copyright, Screen Gems, a division of Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment

nightmares from childhood, reflecting SINS they committed—or had committed against them

FORGIVEN?—How can I be—and feel—forgiven? Answer

GUILT—If God forgives me every time I ask, why do I still feel so guilty? Answer

What does God say about FORGIVENESS OF SIN?Answer

Copyright, Screen Gems, a division of Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sexual immorality

SEXUAL LUST—Why does the Bible warn about it? Answer

PURITY—Should I save sex for marriage? Answer

How far is too far? What are the guidelines for dating relationships? Answer

CONSEQUENCES—What are the consequences of sexual immorality? Answer

Sex, Love and Relationships
Learn how to make your love the best it can be. Discover biblical answers to questions about sex, marriage, sexual addictions, and more.
Copyright, Screen Gems, a division of Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment
Abortion
Life Before Birth
Have questions about life before birth, or a woman’s choice about pregnancy and abortion? Visit this beautiful online presentation. Discover reliable answers.
Copyright, Screen Gems, a division of Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment
Suicide

SUICIDE—What does the Bible say? Answer

If a Christian commits suicide, will they go to Heaven? Answer


Featuring Ellen Page, aka Elliot PageCourtney
Kiefer SutherlandDr. Barry Wolfson
Nina DobrevMarlo
Diego LunaRay
James Norton … Jamie
Kiersey Clemons … Sophia
Madison Brydges … Tessa
Jacob Soley … Alex
See all »
Director Niels Arden Oplev — “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” (2009)
Producer Just Ardalan-Raikes
Michael Bederman
See all »
Distributor
Screen Gems
Screen Gems
, a division of Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment
Copyrighted, Screen Gems, a division of Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment

“Flatliners” is a very mediocre remake of a mediocre horror film from 1990. The story revolves around medical students who dare to explore near death experiences first hand in hopes of discovering what lies beyond in the afterlife. They stop their heart using drugs, and then rely on their friends to revive them before their brain dies. However, when they return to life, they soon find themselves haunted by the sins of their past.

What is SIN? Answer

Are you GOOD ENOUGH to get to Heaven? Answer

What if the cosmos is all that there is? Answer

In some respects the film's premise is intriguing, if un-Biblical. However, like its predecessor, it lacks any real thrills or intrigue. The preposterous idea of killing yourself and being assured that your doctor friends can revive you stretches credibility itself, but this could have been overcome with tighter direction and script writing. The real problem lies not only in its pacing and its inability to rise above the flaws of the original, but also in its un-Biblical doctrines.

The subject of near death experiences is a controversial, one to begin with. The Bible teaches that,

“it is appointed for man to die once, and then comes judgment” —Hebrews 9:27

It is also equally clear that there are exceptions, as not only Jesus, but Elisha and Paul had resurrected a few. Jonah, too, may have been resurrected, although some disagree. Consequently, it is apparent that Hebrews is a general statement, and not an all inclusive one.

Having said that, it has been pointed out that supposed near death experiences are not compatible with the Bible. The popular rendition of such experience (such as that promoted in this film) is an encounter with a bright white light. In fact, a Christian researcher studied such near death experiences and found that the popular stories about this omit the fact that over half of the experiences he had seen dealt with a Hell, and not exclusively with a bright white light. This is more consistent with the Bible.

What is THE FINAL JUDGMENT OF GOD? Answer

Are you good enough to get to Heaven? Answer

How good is good enough? Answer

Will all mankind eventually be saved? Answer

When one physically dies without the protection of Christ’s atonement to cover their sins, they are held for ultimate judgment and eternal death. In this film, however, there is no hint of judgment until the students begin to be haunted by their past. It is in this part of the film that intrigue might lie, were it better made, but even then the film is flawed, for its final lesson is not that we should seek out forgiveness from God and from those we have wronged, but that we should “forgive ourselves.”

Unfortunately, most humans are all to quick to forgive (or overlook) their own sins—and too slow to forgive the sins of others. The Bible, however, says something different.

“If you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering” —Matthew 5:23-24

This seemed to be where the film was going, until it abandoned this for self-forgiveness.

Aside from the movie’s theological problems, there are many moral issues to address. The most obvious is the bizarre fact that everyone seemed to want to have immoral sex after their near death experience. One woman called her near death experience “a sexual” one. In another scene, a woman is shown having rough sex with one of her fellow students (partial nudity, not fully graphic). There is yet another sex scene, although not as graphic as the former. This sexual content doesn’t seem to have any relevance to the story or plot.

As usual, there is foul language and vulgar sexual comments. The PG-13 rating should give the reader an idea of how much language is present.

There are some violent images, including flashbacks to a man who had died with scarred face, disturbing ghosts, and a scene where a man is stabbed in the hand with a knife. There are other scenes involving death and a few scenes of surgery.

In the film’s favor, there is a brief pro-life message, as a man is haunted by a baby he thought he had helped abort, and there is a message of forgiveness and seeking forgiveness. These positive messages, however, cannot sustain the film.

The pacing is slow, and the script does not develop itself properly. Possibly in an attempt to shorten the running time, they trimmed many scenes, but, in so doing, they made the plot thinner, so that the film actually felt slower than the original.

Unfortunately, “Flatliners” is a mediocre remake of the mediocre original. Due to this and its heavy objectionable content, I definitely recommend you avoid this film.

  • Violence: Moderate
  • Profanity/Vulgarity: Heavy—“You little slut!”, “You a**hole!”, “G*d-damn” (2), “I'm Jesus,” J*sus Chr*st (2), “J*sus” (2), “Oh Jesus,” “Oh my G*d” (2), “My God,” “hell” (3), f-words (1 or more), s-words (6), “d*ck,” “a**hole,” “a**”
  • Sex/Nudity: Heavy— • immoral sex both implied and acted out on multiple occasions • sex scenes, including loud vigorous sex • naked females showing bare backs • near naked female shown from side with breasts obscured due to her laying on a man • suggestion of 3-way sex • photo of naked girl covering herself with her hands • passionate kissing, heavy petting and disrobing • shower scene • cleavage • shirtless males

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.


Viewer CommentsSend your comments
Negative
Negative—I was shocked at the opening scene with a woman fully nude walking around. This was in no way necessary to the story line, and it detracted rather than added to the enjoyment of the movie. I would not recommend this for young people. What a shame that the actors and the movie industry has chosen to inject unnecessary sex and nudity into a movie that could and would be excellent without it. I was highly disgusted by the full frontal nudity at the beginning, then the language just added to the disappointment. They may want to consider another rating for a movie like this. Something with a higher rating for such nudity and language. I don’t think this should fall under the rated R! I was disgusted. Not a movie to watch with your family. Very offensive to girls and women. Turned it off after first few shocking minutes of full frontal nudity, adultery, foul language. Not worth my time, my attention. Do not watch with your husband! Disgusting.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: ½
Suzy, age 33 (USA)

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