The story: A group of teenagers find a map leading to a hidden treasure. They must overcome booby traps, natural obstructions and a gang of evil thieves in their race for the loot.

This season at VISUAL we are invited to consider ideas of exchange: of skills, ideas and knowledge, and how analogue, interpersonal exchanges overlap, interact and conflict with technology.

The Goonies is a prime example of collaborative exchange because the characters rely on a diverse set of specialised skills to survive. By pooling their unique talents, they accomplish a shared goal that no individual could achieve alone.

For fans, The Goonies (1985) is the ultimate time capsule of childhood. Directed by Richard Donner and dreamt up by Steven Spielberg, it captures a world where rainy days lead to pirate maps, unearthing a feeling of bravery and magic before adult cynicism sets in. 

For those who have not seen The Goonies before, modern day criticisms point to ideas of ableism, fat-shaming, racial stereotypes and misogyny contained in the film as insensitive and dated. For those who watched it during their youth, the film is an emotional trip down memory lane. A first-time adult viewer today might see it as campy or chaotic, nostalgic fans cherish it as the defining centrepiece of 1980s adventure cinema.

Director: Richard Donner

USA | 1985 | 114mins | Cert:12

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