The Lost Boys (1987)

The Lost Boys is a cult classic that blends horror, teen drama, and dark comedy, directed by Joel Schumacher and released in 1987. The film revitalized the vampire genre for a younger generation, thanks to its edgy aesthetic, charismatic cast, and an iconic soundtrack. Let’s sink our teeth into this gothic gem.

Detailed Summary

Welcome to Santa Carla

Recently divorced Lucy Emerson (Dianne Wiest) moves with her two sons, Michael (Jason Patric) and Sam (Corey Haim), to the small coastal town of Santa Carla, California, to live with her eccentric father. The town is infamous for its high murder rate and strange disappearances, and it doesn’t take long before things get weird.

Michael Falls In With the Wrong Crowd

At a boardwalk concert, Michael becomes entranced by a mysterious girl named Star (Jami Gertz), who is associated with a biker gang led by the brooding and magnetic David (Kiefer Sutherland). After a series of daring stunts and a strange “wine-drinking” ritual (surprise: it’s blood), Michael begins to experience disturbing changes. He’s turning into a vampire—but not fully turned yet.

Enter the Frog Brothers

Meanwhile, Sam befriends the Frog brothers, Edgar (Corey Feldman) and Alan (Jamison Newlander), self-proclaimed vampire hunters who work at a local comic book shop. They suspect Michael is becoming a vampire and arm Sam with horror movie tactics and real stakes (literally) to help.

Michael’s Transformation

Michael fights his dark urges, including a hunger for blood and the ability to fly, while desperately trying to stay human. He confronts Star, who reveals that she too is in limbo—not fully turned. They didn’t want to be vampires but were tricked by David and his gang.

The Truth About David

The gang learns that David and his crew are not the only vampires—the true head vampire is still at large. Believing David is the leader, Sam, Michael, and the Frog brothers decide to take the fight to the bloodsuckers in a chaotic and gory home invasion sequence involving holy water, garlic baths, and creative vampire slaying.

Movie Ending

The final showdown takes place at Grandpa’s house, where the protagonists trap and kill David in a dramatic battle involving antlers and a lot of broken wood. However, despite David’s death, Michael, Star, and another half-vampire, Laddie, do not revert back to human form.

This is the twist: David was not the head vampire.

Lucy arrives with her boss Max (Edward Herrmann), who had been courting her throughout the movie. In a climactic reveal, Max admits he’s the true head vampire and had hoped to make Lucy a “mother” for his vampire family. A fight ensues, and just when it looks like Max will win, Grandpa comes crashing through the wall in his truck—impaling Max on a fence post.

With Max dead, the half-vampires revert to normal. Grandpa, nonchalant as ever, delivers the final line:
“One thing about living in Santa Carla I never could stomach… all the damn vampires.”

No post-credit scene follows—just that perfect, punchline ending.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, there are no post-credits scenes in The Lost Boys. The film wraps up with Grandpa’s final line and ends definitively, 1980s-style.

Type of Movie

The Lost Boys is a horror-comedy with strong elements of teen drama, coming-of-age, and supernatural thriller. It’s stylish, irreverent, and filled with both scares and laughs, making it a quintessential 1980s genre-blender.

Cast

• Jason Patric as Michael Emerson
• Corey Haim as Sam Emerson
• Kiefer Sutherland as David
• Dianne Wiest as Lucy Emerson
• Corey Feldman as Edgar Frog
• Jamison Newlander as Alan Frog
• Jami Gertz as Star
• Edward Herrmann as Max
• Barnard Hughes as Grandpa

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Thomas Newman, but the film is perhaps more famous for its soundtrack, featuring tracks like:

• “Cry Little Sister” by Gerard McMann – the film’s iconic theme
• “People Are Strange” by Echo & the Bunnymen
• “Lost in the Shadows” by Lou Gramm

The soundtrack became a defining piece of 1980s pop culture.

Filming Locations

Shot primarily in Santa Cruz, California, the boardwalk and surrounding areas serve as the fictional Santa Carla. The real-life seaside town gives the movie a sun-soaked yet eerie backdrop. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk adds nostalgic Americana charm while contrasting with the film’s dark subject matter.

Awards and Nominations

While not a major awards contender, The Lost Boys has earned cult status and is often cited in best-of lists for vampire movies. It was nominated for and won a Saturn Award for Best Horror Film and received other minor nods for its makeup and soundtrack.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• The title is a nod to Peter Pan’s Lost Boys, reimagined as eternal vampires.
• Corey Feldman and Corey Haim met on set—starting the famous “Two Coreys” friendship.
• Joel Schumacher wanted the film to be sexy and edgy, moving away from the original concept, which was closer to The Goonies with vampires.
• Kiefer Sutherland broke his wrist during filming and wore gloves to cover the cast.
• The film’s tone changed dramatically from the early script to final product, thanks to Schumacher’s visual flair and dark humor.

Inspirations and References

• Loosely inspired by Peter Pan, with the idea of boys who never grow up—but with a vampiric twist.
• Elements of the story reflect 1980s youth rebellion and counterculture.
• The film draws from classic vampire lore, modernizing it for a punk generation.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

No official alternate ending exists, but deleted scenes include:

• More backstory for David and the gang.
• A scene showing Star and Laddie after the final battle, giving more emotional closure.

These scenes are available in some special editions and fan compilations.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Though not based on a book, the film did inspire novelizations, including comic book sequels like The Lost Boys: Reign of Frogs, which bridges the gap to the straight-to-DVD sequel Lost Boys: The Tribe. These delve deeper into the lore, including David’s past and the Frog Brothers’ continued hunting.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Michael’s first flight scene, pulled helplessly into the night sky.
• Sam’s discovery of Michael’s reflection fading in the mirror.
• The Frog brothers’ vampire slaying montage in the vampire den.
• The explosive, chaotic final battle.

Iconic Quotes

• “Sleep all day. Party all night. Never grow old. Never die. It’s fun to be a vampire.”
• “You’re a vampire, Michael! My own brother, a goddamn, sh**-sucking vampire!”
• “Death by stereo!”
• “One thing about living in Santa Carla I never could stomach… all the damn vampires.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Max never enters a home without being invited—a classic vampire rule.
• The store where Sam shops is filled with vampire comics foreshadowing the plot.
• David’s death mirrors the way vampire lore often portrays leaders dying with grand spectacle.
• The names of the Frog Brothers come from 1950s war comics, playing into their “soldier of fortune” persona.

Trivia

• Kiefer Sutherland barely blinks in his scenes, adding to his eerie presence.
• The film was originally intended to be a kids’ adventure movie à la The Goonies.
• The name “Santa Carla” is fictional but was chosen to sound similar to Santa Cruz.
• Cry Little Sister became so iconic it was remixed for the film’s sequels.

Why Watch?

If you want a vampire movie that’s cool, funny, scary, and oozing with 80s style, The Lost Boys is essential viewing. It’s a rare blend of horror and teen movie that actually works, carried by memorable characters, quotable dialogue, and a killer soundtrack.

Director’s Other Movies

• Batman Forever (1995)
• Batman & Robin (1997)
• Falling Down (1993)
• Flatliners (1990)
• A Time to Kill (1996)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Near Dark (1987)
• Fright Night (1985)
• Interview with the Vampire (1994)
• The Craft (1996)
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)
• Let the Right One In (2008)
• The Hunger (1983)