Michael Emerson is a fictional character and protagonist of the 1987 film The Lost Boys portrayed by Jason Patric.

Michael moves to Santa Carla, California from Phoenix, Arizona with his mother Lucy and brother Sam.

During his time in Santa Carla, he becomes involved with a biker gang who are revealed to be vampires and is turned by their charismatic leader, David Powers.

While there, Michael becomes infatuated with a girl named Star (Jami Gertz), who appears to be in a relationship with David Powers (Kiefer Sutherland).

That evening, Michael, Sam, Edgar and Alan prepare to defend themselves, Star and Laddie inside the Emerson house from David and the other two remaining vampires, Paul and Dwayne (Brooke McCarter and Billy Wirth).

[13] While not much is known about his personality, Michael's encounters with David and the character's restrained and vulnerable portrayal by Jason Patric were highly praised.

The dynamic and tension between actors Jason Patric and Kiefer Sutherland were also a point of critical acclaim.

"[20] Some viewers have interpreted that the undertones included in the film were a result of director Joel Schumacher, who is an openly gay man in real life.

[32] There are many references and homages to Michael Emerson throughout the hit Netflix streaming show Stranger Things through the character of Billy Hargrove, played by Australian actor Dacre Montgomery.

Ironically, Billy Hargrove has also been compared to the work of Kiefer Sutherland as well, notably the characters of David and Ace Merrill from Stand by Me.