Heathers

Name: Heathers
Genre: Comedy, Crime
Released: March 31, 1989
Duration: 103 min
Rating: 72
Cast: Christian Slater, Winona Ryder

1989

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 135 Ratings

See All

4.8

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

4.8	Your Score
4.8	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 135 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Heathers

Now Playing: Heathers

Movie Details & Credits

New World Pictures | Release Date: March 31, 1989 | R

Starring: Christian Slater, Winona Ryder

Summary: A razor sharp black comedy about high school politics centers on Veronica Sawyer (Ryder) who joins an exclusive clique of popular girls named Heather (Walker, Doherty, Falk) and plays along with her new boyfriend J.D. (Slater) in a series of pranks which turn into a series of murders made to look like suicides.

Director: Michael Lehmann

Genre(s): Comedy, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 103 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Rita Kempley

More than just one of the best movies so far this year, it is a revolution in young-adult entertainment. Read full review

100

Desson Thomson

Wickedly funny. In fact, Heathers may be the nastiest, cruelest fun you can have without actually having to study law or gird leather products. If movies were food, Heathers would be a cynic's chocolate binge. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

Daniel Waters' enormously clever screenplay blazes a trail of originality through the dead wood of the teen-comedy genre. Read full review

Dave Kehr

The sheer outrageousness of its attitude is enough to make Heathers a very welcome relief in a field dominated by sanctimonious and second-hand virtue. [31 March 1989]

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

Dark, cynical, but deliciously funny, Heathers is a fascinating look not just at high school but at the way we look at high school. Read full review

Roger Ebert

What sets Heathers apart from less intelligent teenage movies is that it has a point of view toward this subject matter - a bleak, macabre and bitingly satirical one. Read full review

Sheila Benson

Unfortunately, director Michael Lehmann's point of view is swivel-mounted: He doesn't have the courage of his cynicism. [31 Mar 1989]

SEE ALL 20 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

Psychopompadour

Apr 13, 2017

What a period piece, really had that 80s feel and I'm loving Wynona and Christian! Teenage Suicide...Don't Do It! Don't know about you people with the low scores, but I sure had fun.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

heybuddymovies

Aug 1, 2011

first saw Heatherâ

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

hanneguacamole

Nov 20, 2015

Far exceeding my expectations, Heathers was deeply troubling if you took it at face value – which of course I do not recommend. Being just out of high school, I see and I remember the drama. I was never a part of it but some people get really worked up – definitely similarly to Veronica andFar exceeding my expectations, Heathers was deeply troubling if you took it at face value – which of course I do not recommend. Being just out of high school, I see and I remember the drama. I was never a part of it but some people get really worked up – definitely similarly to Veronica and J.D. against the Heathers. Of course I was a little shocked to see the way death among teenagers was dealt with, but nonetheless the movie is from the point of view of an adolescent. They don't know how to properly handle this! Cynical but a cult classic.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Spangle

Sep 5, 2016

Heathers may get really odd and cliche at the end, but its dark and biting criticism of the high school social scene cannot be ignored, namely due to its strong writing, good turn from Winona Ryder, and portrayal of teenage angst taken to an extreme. Though its outlandish and downright dark,Heathers may get really odd and cliche at the end, but its dark and biting criticism of the high school social scene cannot be ignored, namely due to its strong writing, good turn from Winona Ryder, and portrayal of teenage angst taken to an extreme. Though its outlandish and downright dark, Heathers is a comedy through and through that really sweeps you up in the comedy of it all without losing track of the larger issues being discussed. Teenage suicide, peer pressure, bullying, and general angst are all discussed in this worthy satire about high school cliques and mass murder. Overall, Heathers' action may not be overly relatable, but it portrayal of the high school scene and the teenage years will likely never age. Though its ending is unsatisfactory, this smart and biting critique of high school will, more than likely, always be funny.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

FilipeNeto

Sep 6, 2020

In this film, a young woman named Veronica manages to join the group of the most beautiful and popular girls at school: the Heathers. However, she quickly realizes that they are futile, cold, cruel and materialistic, and quickly gains a deep dislike for them. This is where a new and unusualIn this film, a young woman named Veronica manages to join the group of the most beautiful and popular girls at school: the Heathers. However, she quickly realizes that they are futile, cold, cruel and materialistic, and quickly gains a deep dislike for them. This is where a new and unusual student comes in, with whom she quickly becomes involved. He is different and encourages her to take action. After a short while, they are murdering schoolmates... until she realizes that they are going too far.

It is a sarcastic and intelligent film that is recommended for its black humor but that should be viewed with caution by those who have more suggestible teenagers. The themes covered are appealing and the way the script does it is interesting and becomes really good if we take into account the quality of the cast, although it is not a particularly remarkable film for any of those involved. Nowadays, I think, it is a film that has fallen by the wayside, victim of the controversial theme that it decided to address.

I liked Winona Ryder's performance, still very young and beautiful. Christian Slater is also very good and they both do an excellent job together. I read that they were dating at the time and I personally believe that. I also really liked the performance of Shannen Doherty, Lisanne Falk and Kim Walker, who brought the three Heather's to life.

From a technical point of view it seemed to me a discreet film, betting more strongly on its plot, the story told and the performance of the actors. This was clearly a wise move by the director, Michael Lehmann, who knew perfectly well what he had in hand. Good cinematography and an intelligent use of colors and contrast are the most obvious elements, in addition to good sets, costumes and a soundtrack very well elaborated.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Compi24

May 10, 2014

"Heathers'" social commentary and dark humor cannot quite redeem the film from the doldrums that its jarring tonal shifts and stilted characterization methods produce.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

Charles_Peterso

Jul 3, 2012

The story makes some telling points about adolescent life. But despite its oh-so-cynical mannerisms, it falls all over itself to flatter an allegedly self-absorbed and self-pitying teen audience.

1 of 7 users found this helpful16

SEE ALL 24 REVIEWS