The iconic 1987 film,The Lost Boys, a vampire horror comedy that launched two young actors into stardom, is now at the center of a complex and painful re-examination of the past. Corey Feldman and Corey Haim, both barely teenagers during filming, forged a friendship that would be shadowed by allegations and unanswered questions for decades.
Recent commentary surrounding a new documentary featuring Feldman sparked a wave of reports claiming he had been molested by his co-star, Corey Haim. However, Feldman’s representatives have now issued a firm statement, asserting that the documentary producers obtained footage through “dishonest means” and that an investigation is underway.
The statement clarifies a crucial distinction. Reports characterizing Feldman’s experience as “molestation” are described as a “sensationalised mischaracterisation.” Feldman, according to his representatives, did not reciprocate Haim’s advances when asked to “mess around,” but his use of the word “molested” referred to unwanted advances, not physical assault.
The core of the issue stems from a conversation Feldman recounted regarding an incident during the filming ofThe Lost Boys. He alleges Haim suggested engaging in acts “guys in the business do,” referencing a disturbing expectation of sexual activity. Haim, reportedly, justified this by claiming Charlie Sheen had deemed it acceptable.
Both Feldman and Haim were just fourteen years old whenThe Lost Boysbegan production. Feldman’s recollection paints a picture of a vulnerable young actor confronted with a shocking proposition, and a disturbing normalization of exploitation within the industry. The weight of this memory has clearly lingered for years.
This isn’t the first time Feldman has publicly addressed troubling experiences from his youth. He previously accused Sheen of sexual assault during the making of the 1986 film,Lucas. Those allegations, explored in a previous documentary, were vehemently denied by Sheen.
The tragedy is compounded by Haim’s untimely death in 2010 at the age of 38 from pneumonia. He never had the opportunity to publicly address the accusations leveled against him, leaving a void of unanswered questions and unresolved pain. His mother, Judy Haim, has consistently defended Sheen and maintained her son’s innocence.
BeforeThe Lost Boys, Feldman was already a familiar face, having appeared in beloved 80s classics likeFriday the 13th: The Final Chapter,Gremlins,The Goonies, andStand by Me. He rose to prominence as a child star, navigating the complexities of Hollywood at a remarkably young age.
Feldman has expressed a sense of purpose in speaking out, believing he has ignited a movement encouraging others who experienced abuse within Hollywood to share their stories. He views this as a significant accomplishment, a way to finally bring hidden truths to light and offer a voice to the silenced.
