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Heathers

Play trailer 1:47 Poster for Heathers R 1989 1h 42m Comedy Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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95% Tomatometer 59 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Veronica (Winona Ryder) is part of the most popular clique at her high school, but she disapproves of the other girls' cruel behavior. When Veronica and her new boyfriend, J.D. (Christian Slater), confront clique leader Heather Chandler (Kim Walker) and accidentally poison her, they make it appear a suicide. Soon Veronica realizes that J.D. is intentionally killing students he does not like. She races to stop J.D. while also clashing with the clique's new leader, Heather Duke (Shannen Doherty).

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Heathers

Heathers

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Critics Consensus

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.

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Critics Reviews

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Kevin Maher The Times (UK) 08/10/2018
4/5
Still shocking after 30 years... this definitive blast of teenage nihilism is strong medicine indeed. Go to Full Review
Richard Combs Sight & Sound 08/10/2018
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. Go to Full Review
Peter Bradshaw Guardian 08/09/2018
4/5
Heathers really is odd, like a mix of something by Stephen King and Bret Easton Ellis... Go to Full Review
Josh Mooney Movieline Sep 16
Dan Waters, who wrote the script, is a truly demented talent. Go to Full Review
Rachel Wagner Rachel's Reviews (YouTube) Jun 9
stands out all these years later as a unique and dark look at high school Go to Full Review
Alan Jones Radio Times 07/31/2024
5/5
Beneath the hip, lip-glossed surface of this devastatingly witty black comedy lurks a serious satire on peer-group pretensions and other teen movies. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Luis Ivan M @RT79996638 1d It takes some time to get used to the film’s satirical tone, which may feel off depending on expectations. The first act is slow, introducing mostly despicable characters, which can be tiring. However, once the inciting incident occurs, the plot becomes more engaging. It wasn’t until the midpoint that I fully adjusted to its exaggerated, unrealistic tone, after which the film became more enjoyable. The writing and performances are solid, with attention to character development (even among minor roles) and themes of teen angst. Technical aspects don’t stand out much, but production design does, with distinct locations and some dreamlike sequences. The film explores heavy themes like violence, suicide, and eating disorders through satire, which some may find cynical or uncomfortable. Still, it’s an overall entertaining film worth watching. See more Joshua M @Flameon 3d Fun roles for Shannon and Winona. The film itself is just weird. See more Monty G @Montyginger Jan 7 One of the greatest films of all time. The mother of Mean Girls and Jawbreaker. Excellent script, amazing performances, wonderful cinematography. Winona was amazing as always. See more Mike P @RT09890132 Dec 12 One word: masterpiece See more Zachary K @ZacharyKing Dec 3 This film just made me fall to my knees in a JC Pennies. I cant describe to you how good this movie is, it changed my life, and my privilege to walk into a JC Pennies. See more Jack F @MovieFan111 Nov 25 It's a movie people have vaguely heard of, but never watched. I liked this movie because I thought Christian Slater's performance and character were extremely magnetic and cool. I'd watch it again. See more Read all reviews
Heathers

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Movie Info

Synopsis Veronica (Winona Ryder) is part of the most popular clique at her high school, but she disapproves of the other girls' cruel behavior. When Veronica and her new boyfriend, J.D. (Christian Slater), confront clique leader Heather Chandler (Kim Walker) and accidentally poison her, they make it appear a suicide. Soon Veronica realizes that J.D. is intentionally killing students he does not like. She races to stop J.D. while also clashing with the clique's new leader, Heather Duke (Shannen Doherty).
Director
Michael Lehmann
Producer
Denise Di Novi
Screenwriter
Daniel Waters
Production Co
New World Pictures
Rating
R
Genre
Comedy, Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 31, 1989, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 4, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.1M
Runtime
1h 42m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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