The Lost Boys Joel Schumacher Gave Us the BEST Summer Horror Film

The Lost Boys: Joel Schumacher Gave Us the BEST Summer Horror Film

The late Joel Schumacher’s 1987 thriller The Lost Boys is the perfect summer horror film for any cinephile’s watchlist.

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The Lost Boys Joel Schumacher Gave Us the BEST Summer Horror Film

In 1987, Joel Schumacher introduced his brat pack film The Lost Boys with some sinister foreshadowing, laying the foundation for the film’s vampiric elements. This summertime thriller is reminiscent of the 80s comic book frenzy, fast and furious motorcycle races and overall beachside fun, complete with Schumacher’s signature eclectic style, pulling from the punk-rock movement this time.

The Lost Boys follows Michael and Sam Emerson, played by Jason Patric and Corey Haim, as they move from Phoenix, Arizona to Santa Clara, California. The boys soon discover Santa Clara is the murder capital of the world, with deadly vampires preying upon the city’s population. Schumacher’s film is rife with themes of coming of age and horror tropes, making this the perfect summer thriller to add to anyone’s watchlist.

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One of the many ways this film hooks audiences’ attention is through the strategic use of a femme fatale. Star, played by Jami Gertz, catches the eye of Michael Emerson while dancing at a concert at the beach boardwalk. Even though it’s implied Star is in a relationship with David (Kiefer Sutherland), the de facto leader of a motorcycle gang, this doesn’t stop Michael from chasing after her. Michael’s romantic perusal of Star sets off a chain of events, from transforming into a half-vampire himself to reluctantly becoming a member of David’s motorcycle gang, which is later revealed to be a covert group of vampires. Despite these setbacks, Michael continues to go after Star.

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The Lost Boys Joel Schumacher Gave Us the BEST Summer Horror Film

Unlike most femme fatales, Star rejects the evil brought onto her. She is showcased in a pure connotation and wants to be cured of her vampirism rather than indulge in her supernatural abilities. While Star is still considered a femme fatale for luring Michael to the dark side of Santa Clara’s underbelly, she is being used as a strategic ploy in a larger operation. These circumstances set The Lost Boys apart from other coming of age films. While Star and Michael have good intentions and genuinely want to be together, their relationship is heightened by the life-or-death stakes stacked against them.

Schumacher’s clever use of red-herrings throughout The Lost Boys gives major cause for viewers to cling to the edge of their seats from start to finish. Sam discovers through his vampire-hunting cohorts, Edgar and Alan Frog, that in order to cure Michael of his vampirism, the head vampire must be killed. The storyline goes back-and-forth, attempting to determine who the head vampire is, with the most obvious choice being David. Sam, Edgar and Alan lead the way throughout this entire venture, exhausting every avenue possible. David is the primary suspect as he’s portrayed as a threatening character; however, this a distraction, and the true identity of the head vampire is revealed to be Max (Edward Herrmann), a local video store owner who is dating Lucy, Michael and Sam’s newly divorced mother.

While not exactly the most thrilling choice for a head vampire at first, the continued use of red-herrings as a way to mislead viewers creates increasing conflict and suspends shock value until the last possible second. Additionally, Max’s pursuance of Lucy adds greater depth to the storyline. With the intention of making Lucy his bride and the mother to his lost boys, it’s difficult to cast away the striking similarities between Schumacher’s portrayal of Lucy Emerson and Bram Stoker’s portrayal of Lucy Westenra in his 1897 novel, Dracula

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Thirty-three years after its theatrical release, The Lost Boys is still just as celebrated as it was when it originally hit theaters. In recent years, The Lost Boys has been adapted into a comic series by Vertigo Comics, and its television adaptation is still in the works. Empire even stated, “The Lost Boys remains a supremely watchable example of something the ’80s did right.” Dedicated fans, cinephiles and new viewers alike can enjoy the cult classic this summer for the perfect pairing of thrills and chills.

Link Source : https://www.cbr.com/lost-boys-joel-schumacher-best-summer-horror/

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