A girl who halfheartedly tries to be part of the "in crowd" of her school meets a rebel who teaches her a more devious way to play social politics: by killing the popular kids.
Winona Ryder
Veronica Sawyer
Christian Slater
Jason 'J.D.' Dean
Shannen Doherty
Heather Duke
Lisanne Falk
Heather McNamara
Kim Walker
Heather Chandler
Penelope Milford
Pauline Fleming
Glenn Shadix
Father Ripper
Lance Fenton
Kurt Kelly
Jennifer Rhodes
Veronica's Mom
Jeremy Applegate
Peter Dawson
Patrick Labyorteaux
Ram Sweeney
Jon Matthews
Rodney
Carrie Lynn
Martha Dunnstock / Dumptruck
Phill Lewis
Dennis
Renée Estevez
Betty Finn
John Zarchen
Country Club Keith
William Cort
Veronica's Dad
John Ingle
Principal Gowan
Stuart Mabray
Counselor Paul Hyde
Sherrie Wills
Country Club Courtney
Larry Cox
David
Kent Stoddard
Brad
Mark Carlton
Kurt's Dad
Curtiss Marlowe
Geek
Andrew Benne
Fat Cynic
Kevin Hardesty
1st Heavy Metaller in Pkg. Lot
Josh Richman
2nd Heavy Metaller in Pkg. Lot
Bess Meyer
Female Stoner
Betty Ramey
Teacher in Conference Room
Aaron Mendelsohn
Nerd in Pauline's Class
Kirk Scott
Big Bud Dean
Mark Bringelson
Officer McCord
Chuck Lafont
Officer Milner
Christie Mellor
Squealing Girl in Parking Lot
James 'Poorman' Trenton
'Hot Probs' D.J
Adrian Drake
Gruff Teacher
Craig Braginsky
Student (uncredited)
Michael Lindström
Student (uncredited)
David McConnell
Student in the Gym (uncredited)
Mike Pont
Student in Cafeteria (uncredited)
Sylvia Tobias
Student (uncredited)
Jeffrey Weissman
Voice Actor (uncredited)
Director
Michael Lehmann
Screenplay
Daniel Waters
February 15, 2018
6
RELEASED IN 1989 and directed by Michael Lehmann, “Heathers” stars Winona Ryder as Veronica, a high school student in Ohio who has sold herself out to join the popular clique of three girls, all coincidently named Heather (Kim Walker, Lisanne Falk & Shannen Doherty). The more she spends time with them, however, the more she discovers she can’t stand them. Enter mysterious new kid, JD (Christian Slater), who has a macabre solution to Veronica’s conundrum.
This is an oddball teen movie that tries to be edgy and amusing with its black humor and overt cussing. Future movies were influenced by it, like “Jawbreaker” (1999) and maybe even “Mean Girls” (2004). The commentary on peer pressure, teen suicide and the maiming destructiveness of cliques is potent. Teens can be misled by the “popular” students, yes, but they can also be misled by the outcasts.
Slater stands out as a sorta dark Fonz of the late 80s, easily one of his best roles ever. Ryder is surprisingly good as the protagonist. I say “surprisingly” because I was never big on her (although I didn’t dislike her either). The first act is quite good, but the story gets humdrum in the middle; thankfully, the last 20 minutes perk up. The late 80’s ambiance is to die for.
I’m not going to give it away, but the original ending was way more morbid. They had an alternative ending that they didn’t go with either. Apparently the studio pressured the writer/director to go with the theatrical ending, which I approve. It’s a story of redemption. Being misled by corrupt people for a season doesn’t define a person forever.
THE MOVIE RUNS 1 hours & 43 minutes and was shot in Los Angeles (the high school) and surrounding area (Santa Monica, Tujunga and Pasadena). WRITER: Daniel Waters.
GRADE: B-/C+
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$3,000,000.00
Revenue:
$1,166,207.00