Heathers

1988

Heathers

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.

93%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 56

83%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 75,331
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Heathers Photos

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Movie Info

A deliciously nasty black comedy, Heathers is set at a cliquish high school in Ohio. The most exclusive of those cliques is the Heathers, comprised of the prettiest and most popular girls in town. The group's leader is the manipulative Kim Walker, who orchestrates the humiliation of anyone who fails to meet her standards. Eventually, Heathers member Winona Ryder begins to exhibit a conscience; together with her hardcase boyfriend Christian Slater, Ryder plots to avenge all the unfortunate victims of the group. Before long, Heather (Kim Walker) ends up dead along with Kurt and Ram, with poignant suicide notes posted near their bodies. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Cast

Winona Ryder
as Veronica Sawyer
Christian Slater
as J.D.
Kim Walker
as Heather Chandler
Penelope Milford
as Pauline Fleming
Glenn Shadix
as Fr. Ripper
Lance Fenton
as Kurt Kelly
Patrick Labyorteaux
as Ram
Jeremy Applegate
as Peter Dawson
Jon Matthews
as Rodney
Carrie Lynn
as Martha `Dumptruck' Dunnstock
Shannen Doherty
as Heather Duke
Lisanne Falk
as Heather McNamara
Ursula Martin
as Featured
Jon Mathews
as Rodney
Phill Lewis
as Dennis
John Zarchen
as Country Club Keith
Sherrie Wills
as Country Club Courtney
Andy David
as Fat Cynic
Kevin Hardesty
as 1st Heavy Metaller in Parking Lot
Josh Richman
as 2nd Heavy Metaller in Parking Lot
Bess Meyer
as Female Stoner
Jennifer Rhodes
as Veronica's Mom
Bill Cort
as Veronica's Dad
Larry Cox
as David
Kent Stoddard
as Brad
John Ingle
as Principal Gowan
Stuart Mabray
as Counselor Paul Hyde
Aaron Mendelson
as Nerd in Pauline's Class
Kirk Scott
as Big Bud Dean
Mark Bringleson
as Officer McCord
Chuck Lafont
as Officer Milner
Mark Carlton
as Kurt's Dad
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Critic Reviews for Heathers

All Critics (56) | Top Critics (12) | 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 | Full Review…

    Kevin Maher

    Times (UK)
    Top Critic

  • Heathers really is odd, like a mix of something by Stephen King and Bret Easton Ellis...

    August 9, 2018 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

    Peter Bradshaw

    Guardian
    Top Critic

  • Heathers locates the emotional totalitarianism lurking in a prom queen's heart.

    August 31, 2010 | Full Review…

    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 | Full Review…

    Variety Staff

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • Two decades later, Heathers is so on the money, with its vague but unmistakable parallels to several school shootings, that it could never be made today.

    July 15, 2008 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review…

    Mick LaSalle

    San Francisco Chronicle
    Top Critic

  • A super-smart black comedy about high school politics and teenage suicide that showcases a host of promising young talents.

    July 18, 2007

    Todd McCarthy

    Variety
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (56)

Audience Reviews for Heathers

  • Dec 05, 2017
    A cynical and intelligent satire that deserves credit for its deliciously witty dialogue, great performances and a clever game of colors that contrasts blue and red, even if the film is a bit tonally dissonant when it becomes too serious and dark in its third act.
    Carlos M Super Reviewer
  • Jun 19, 2015
    Wasn't quite the film I remembered but it still had that biting satire that black comedies lack these days. Cult favourite that everyone should have seen
    Brendan N Super Reviewer
  • Jan 28, 2014
    An enjoyable 80s comedy, which hits a nice dark tone. It's clear to see the movies it inspired, like American Beauty with the high school relationships. I was entertained and laughing through the movie, but outside of a great cast (Veronique is a babe) there's not many cinematic elements that stand out.
    Daniel D Super Reviewer
  • Apr 15, 2013
    Dark, seditious, wicked, devious, hilarious -- all of these words could be used to described "Heathers," one of the best, most cynical black comedies out there. It's likably uncomfortable, quotable to an almost ridiculous degree and Winona Ryder and Christian Slater (in a psychotic performance) are both perfect as their characters. Satire as never been done quite as well anywhere else as it is done here.
    Stephen E Super Reviewer
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