Heathers (1988)
86%RT Audience Score: 83%
Awards & Nominations: 3 wins & 11 nominations
Dark, cynical, and subversive, Heathers gently applies a chainsaw to the conventions of the high school movie — changing the game for teen comedies to follow
Heathers” is the perfect movie for anyone who’s ever wanted to stick it to the popular kids in high school. It’s a dark comedy that’s both hilarious and disturbing, with a cast of characters that are so over-the-top that they’re impossible not to love. Winona Ryder is at her best as Veronica, a high school student who’s sick of the Heathers and their reign of terror. Christian Slater is equally great as J.D., the mysterious new kid who helps Veronica take them down. The movie is a bit of a fever dream, with a plot that’s both surreal and satirical. It’s definitely not for everyone, but if you’re in the mood for something dark and twisted, “Heathers” is the perfect choice.
Production Company(ies)
Bridgit Folman Film Gang Les Films, d’ Ici Razor Film Produktion GmbH,
Distributor
NA
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
Verdugo Hills High School – 10625 Plainview Avenue, Tujunga, Los Angeles, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
R
Year of Release
1989
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Mono
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:NA
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Mar 31, 1989 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 8, 2003
Genre(s)
Comedy
Keyword(s)
starring Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, Shannen Doherty, Lisanne Falk, Kim Walker, Penelope Milford, directed by Michael Lehmann, written by Daniel Waters, comedy, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Kevin Maher, Richard Combs, Peter Bradshaw, Richard Corliss, CJ Sheu, Federico Furzan, Kathi Maio, David Nusair, Sarah Cartland, Denise Di Novi, MPAA rating R, high school movie, teenage suicide, satire, black comedy, cult favorite, Veronica Sawyer, Jason ‘J.D.’ Dean, Heather Duke, Heather McNamara, Heather Chandler, Pauline Fleming, chainsaw, teen comedies, subversive, conventions, popular clique, cruel behavior, accidental poisoning, suicide, intentionally killing students, emotional totalitarianism, prom queen, teenage nihilism, Stephen King, Bret Easton Ellis, biting satire, great performances, clever game of colors, tonally dissonant, dark tone, cinematic elements, uncomfortable, quotable, psychotic performance, satire
Worldwide gross: $1,163,969
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $2,836,327
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,328
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 309,305
US/Canada gross: $1,108,462
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $2,701,069
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,964
US/Canada opening weekend: $177,247
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $431,911
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,440
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $3,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $7,310,316
Production budget ranking: 1,798
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $3,936,605
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$8,410,594
ROI to date (est.): -75%
ROI ranking: 1,842
Christian Slater – Jason ‘J.D.’ Dean
Shannen Doherty – Heather Duke
Lisanne Falk – Heather McNamara
Kim Walker – Heather Chandler
Penelope Milford – Pauline Fleming
Michael Lehmann – Director
Denise Di Novi – Producer
Daniel Waters – Writer
Director(s)
Michael Lehmann
Writer(s)
Daniel Waters
Producer(s)
Denise Di Novi
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
3 wins & 11 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (56) | Top Critics (17) | Fresh (52) | Rotten (4)
Still shocking after 30 years… this definitive blast of teenage nihilism is strong medicine indeed.
August 10, 2018 | Rating: 4/5
Kevin Maher
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
If there’s a weakness of motivation in Heathers, it may be because the whole film is rather dream-like, a product of Veronica’s fevered writing and imaginings, with a consequent chaos and interchangeability of roles.
August 10, 2018
Richard Combs
Sight & Sound
TOP CRITIC
Heathers really is odd, like a mix of something by Stephen King and Bret Easton Ellis…
August 9, 2018 | Rating: 4/5
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
‘Heathers’ still pulses with the visceral thrill of getting away with something – both on- and off-screen.
June 18, 2016
Jason Bailey
Flavorwire
TOP CRITIC
Heathers locates the emotional totalitarianism lurking in a prom queen’s heart.
August 31, 2010
Richard Corliss
TIME Magazine
TOP CRITIC
A super-smart black comedy about high school politics and teenage suicide that showcases a host of promising young talents.
August 31, 2010
Variety Staff
Variety
TOP CRITIC
If it could’ve just given one f**k less, it would’ve been a masterpiece.
July 1, 2020
CJ Sheu
Review Film Review
This supposedly relevant fable on teenage angst feels like a loud shout and nothing else. [Full review in Spanish].
September 23, 2019 | Rating: 1/4
Federico Furzan
Cinelipsis
Ryder brings such honesty to her high-camp role that you actually believe a kid like this could exist. And, astoundingly, you think you might actually like to meet her.
September 6, 2019
Kathi Maio
Sojourner
…an erratically-paced yet ultimately rewarding endeavor…
April 14, 2019 | Rating: 3/4
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews
Even bigger, brasher, brighter and more vicious than the decade it satirises, though sadly “Heathers” failed to make Very happen. It’s a blunt satire, though still effective, still coruscatingly funny – and scarily prescient.
November 10, 2018 | Rating: 4.5/5
Sarah Cartland
Caution Spoilers
A pointless satire on high school coeds acting bitchy and hanging out in cliques.
October 31, 2018 | Rating: C+
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews…
Plot
A regular girl, Veronica, tries to survive the social jungle of high school by sticking with the three most popular girls at school who are all called Heather. As she meets a sociopath named JD, her life spirals into a continuous cycle of hate, unintentional murder and indifference, as she exacts revenge on her enemies, also known as her best friends.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Winona Ryder brings “honesty to her high-camp role” in Heathers, making her character believable and likable.
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