Flatliners

Though often mistaken as a remake, Flatliners (2017) functions more as a spiritual sequel to the 1990 version, retaining only the core idea of near-death experiments. The film offers a fresh cast and plot but suffers from shallow character development and a rushed narrative. Despite strong performances—especially from Elliot Page—the execution lacks the depth and coherence of its predecessor. Misleading marketing and weak story connections to the original likely fueled unfair comparisons. Taken on its own, it’s watchable, but far from exceptional. Read the full review here: (Indonesian version : alunauwie.com) and (English version : uwiepuspita.com)

So this is like Flatliners... only its not as scary because modern audiences. And it doesn't offer the same satire because modern audiences. And it gender-swapped the main character because modern audiences. And because of the Swap she couldn't be as dynamic because that would show weakness and yadda yadda yadda so you end up not really caring because she never comes across as a real person, just checked boxes. And in the end you have wasted a chunk of your life again because you Millennial wife thought it might be cool to watch the remake of one of the movies your old Gen-X butt raved about

Line of flatness for fans of the original - for others not so much. Strictly on a personal level, I always felt that the original Flatliners was average at best. A missed opportunity to use the premise for frightening results, to unnerve, unhinge, whilst intelligently examining the life after death question. So when news of this 2017 remake broke I wasn't in the least bit surprised, the idea at the narrative core was ripe for further filmic delvings. Niels Arden Oplev's 2017 version is itself problematic, and a long way from being all the things I so wanted from the original film, but at least it has its own twists, a supernatural slant for scares. The makers are also to be applauded for making a truly bold decision in the story, rendering complaints about this not offering anything new as being redundant. Chances are that if you are a fan of the original film you will hate this, if like me you have no affinity to it then this is an ok time waster. While for those not familiar with the 1990 pic can go in for some mild shock and afterlife dalliances. 6/10