Movie Review: The Lost Boys (1987)

★★★★★

The Lost Boys is vampires, leather jackets, and ‘80s cool all rolled into one. Still one of the best teen horror flicks ever.

Casey J.

Texas

Every decade has its definitive vampire movie. For the ‘80s, it’s The Lost Boys. But rewatching it for BoxReview.com, I realized it’s not just a vampire movie, it’s a teen rebellion story, a coming-of-age comedy, and a fashion time capsule all rolled into one.

And unlike a lot of horror from the era, it’s aged surprisingly well, mostly because it knew exactly what it wanted to be: fun, a little scary, and irresistibly stylish.

The Premise: Welcome to Santa Carla

Michael (Jason Patric) and his younger brother Sam (Corey Haim) move to the coastal California town of Santa Carla with their mom (Dianne Wiest). It’s summer, it’s beautiful, and according to the ominous welcome sign, it’s the “murder capital of the world.”

Michael falls in with a mysterious gang led by the effortlessly cool David (Kiefer Sutherland). Sam, meanwhile, befriends the self-proclaimed vampire hunters Edgar and Alan Frog (Corey Feldman and Jamison Newlander). It’s not long before Michael starts exhibiting strange symptoms, heightened senses, aversion to sunlight, and a serious craving for blood.

Jason Patric as Michael: The Reluctant Rebel

Michael’s arc is one of the more understated aspects of the film. He starts as the quiet older brother, but once he’s drawn into David’s gang, he becomes this brooding figure caught between family loyalty and the seductive pull of his new vampire “family.”

Patric plays it straight, which works. Michael doesn’t need to be quippy or over-the-top. He’s the emotional anchor in a movie full of wild personalities.

Kiefer Sutherland as David: The Quintessential ‘80s Villain

David is one of the most memorable vampire leaders in cinema. Sutherland gives him a magnetic mix of menace and charm, the kind of villain you don’t just fear, you almost want to follow.

What doesn’t get talked about enough is how little David actually appears compared to how much he dominates the film. His presence is so strong that every scene he’s in feels electric.

The Frog Brothers: Cult Comedy Gold

Corey Feldman and Jamison Newlander play the Frog Brothers with such deadpan seriousness that it borders on parody, and that’s what makes them work. They’re like teenage action heroes in training, armed with squirt guns of holy water and an arsenal of ridiculous advice.

Their comic energy balances the darker elements and gives the film a rewatchable charm.

Dianne Wiest as Lucy: The Grounded Heart of the Story

In a film full of vampires and monster hunters, Lucy might be the most relatable character. She’s a mom trying to rebuild her life, oblivious to the supernatural chaos brewing around her. Wiest plays her with warmth and quiet strength, making her scenes an emotional counterweight to the neon-drenched madness.

Style Over Everything — and That’s the Point

Joel Schumacher leaned hard into the music video aesthetic: fast cuts, dramatic lighting, leather jackets, and plenty of wind in everyone’s hair. Some critics at the time saw this as style over substance, but here, the style is the substance.

Santa Carla feels alive at night: bonfires on the beach, buzzing boardwalks, and a killer soundtrack (literally, the soundtrack might be the film’s secret weapon).

The Soundtrack: A Character in Its Own Right

From INXS to Echo & the Bunnymen’s haunting cover of “People Are Strange,” the music doesn’t just accompany the film; it defines it. And of course, there’s “Cry Little Sister,” the film’s unofficial theme, which manages to be both eerie and epic.

This is one of those movies where listening to the soundtrack can instantly transport you back into its world.

Practical Effects That Hold Up

The special effects are refreshingly practical. The vampires aren’t just pale with fangs; their transformation brings in glowing eyes, exaggerated facial ridges, and grotesque death scenes.

The final act’s effects-heavy showdown is pure ‘80s horror joy: exploding vampires, splattering goo, and one very memorable bathtub scene involving holy water and garlic.

Humor That Doesn’t Undercut the Horror

One of the hardest balances in horror-comedy is keeping the stakes (pun intended) intact while letting the audience laugh. The Lost Boys nails it.

The Frog Brothers’ bravado, Sam’s sarcastic banter, and even Max’s awkward dinner scene all add levity without ever making the vampires feel non-threatening.

Themes Beneath the Cool Factor

It’s easy to focus on the fangs and fashion, but there’s more going on under the surface:

• Temptation and belonging: Michael’s draw to David’s gang mirrors the allure of dangerous peer groups.

• Family loyalty: The Emerson brothers’ bond drives the entire second half of the film.

• The corruption of innocence: Santa Carla’s boardwalk looks like pure fun, but its underbelly is literally predatory.

Why The Lost Boys Still Works Today

The film feels timeless because it’s not trying to be timeless. It’s unapologetically ‘80s from the fashion to the music to the hair, but its mix of horror, comedy, and coming-of-age drama works in any era.

You can watch it as a fun vampire romp, a stylish time capsule, or even a metaphor for teenage rebellion. However you approach it, it delivers.

Final Thoughts

The Lost Boys is proof that horror can be cool without losing its bite. It’s a film where the vampires ride motorcycles, the comic book store is a hub of supernatural wisdom, and the climactic battle is as fun as it is gory.

Whether you’re here for the scares, the laughs, or the killer soundtrack, The Lost Boys delivers on all fronts. And yes, you’ll probably want a leather jacket by the end.