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Heathers

  • 19881988
  • RR
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
101K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,200
67
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Winona Ryder and Christian Slater in Heathers (1988)
Winona Ryder rocketed to fame in the late '80s and early '90s, and she has returned to the spotlight with "Stranger Things." But what are the roles that she didn't take in between?
Play clip3:13
What Roles Has Winona Ryder Turned Down?
2 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Comedy
  • Crime

At Westerburg High where cliques rule, jocks dominate and all the popular girls are named Heather, it's going to take a Veronica and mysterious new kid to give teen angst a body count.At Westerburg High where cliques rule, jocks dominate and all the popular girls are named Heather, it's going to take a Veronica and mysterious new kid to give teen angst a body count.At Westerburg High where cliques rule, jocks dominate and all the popular girls are named Heather, it's going to take a Veronica and mysterious new kid to give teen angst a body count.

IMDb RATING
7.2/10
101K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,200
67
  • Director
    • Michael Lehmann
  • Writer
    • Daniel Waters
  • Stars
    • Winona Ryder
    • Christian Slater
    • Shannen Doherty
Top credits
  • Director
    • Michael Lehmann
  • Writer
    • Daniel Waters
  • Stars
    • Winona Ryder
    • Christian Slater
    • Shannen Doherty
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 360User reviews
    • 128Critic reviews
    • 72Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 11 nominations

    Videos2

    Heathers
    Trailer 1:54
    Heathers
    What Roles Has Winona Ryder Turned Down?
    Clip 3:13
    What Roles Has Winona Ryder Turned Down?

    Photos339

    Winona Ryder in Heathers (1988)
    Shannen Doherty in Heathers (1988)
    Christian Slater in Heathers (1988)
    Winona Ryder, Shannen Doherty, Lisanne Falk, and Kim Walker in Heathers (1988)
    Winona Ryder, Shannen Doherty, Lisanne Falk, and Kim Walker in Heathers (1988)
    Winona Ryder and Christian Slater in Heathers (1988)
    Winona Ryder and Christian Slater in Heathers (1988)
    Winona Ryder and Michael Lehmann in Heathers (1988)
    Christian Slater in Heathers (1988)
    Winona Ryder in Heathers (1988)
    Winona Ryder, Shannen Doherty, Lisanne Falk, and Kim Walker at an event for Heathers (1988)
    Kim Walker at an event for Heathers (1988)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Winona Ryder
    Winona Ryder
    • Veronicaas Veronica
    Christian Slater
    Christian Slater
    • J.D.as J.D.
    Shannen Doherty
    Shannen Doherty
    • Heather (Duke)as Heather (Duke)
    Lisanne Falk
    Lisanne Falk
    • Heather (McNamara)as Heather (McNamara)
    Kim Walker
    Kim Walker
    • Heather (Chandler)as Heather (Chandler)
    Penelope Milford
    Penelope Milford
    • Pauline Flemingas Pauline Fleming
    Glenn Shadix
    Glenn Shadix
    • Father Ripperas Father Ripper
    Lance Fenton
    • Kurt Kellyas Kurt Kelly
    Patrick Labyorteaux
    Patrick Labyorteaux
    • Ramas Ram
    Jeremy Applegate
    Jeremy Applegate
    • Peter Dawsonas Peter Dawson
    Jon Shear
    • Rodneyas Rodney
    • (as Jon Matthews)
    Carrie Lynn
    • Martha Dunnstockas Martha Dunnstock…
    Phill Lewis
    Phill Lewis
    • Dennisas Dennis
    Renée Estevez
    Renée Estevez
    • Betty Finnas Betty Finn
    • (as Reneé Estevez)
    John Zarchen
    John Zarchen
    • Country Club Keithas Country Club Keith
    Sherrie Wills
    Sherrie Wills
    • Country Club Courtneyas Country Club Courtney
    Curtiss Marlowe
    • Geekas Geek
    Andrew Benne
    • Fat Cynicas Fat Cynic
    • (as Andy David)
    • Director
      • Michael Lehmann
    • Writer
      • Daniel Waters
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    But I'm a Cheerleader
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    Storyline

    Edit
    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. —Marielle <msaz.movies@gmail.com>
    • killing spree
    • teenage girl
    • female protagonist
    • teen angst
    • black comedy
    • 189 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Best friends, social trends and occasional murder.
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Crime
    • Certificate
      • R
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Originally, the book that suicidal students supposedly underline "meaningful" passages from was "The Catcher in the Rye". The producers could not get permission from J.D. Salinger to use the book. It was changed to "Moby Dick" because Herman Melville's works are in the public domain.
    • Goofs
      When Veronica and JD are waking up in the school parking lot, Veronica holds her left arm carefully. When she takes the lighter and puts it on the palm of her left hand, it is obvious that this is not a real hand.
    • Quotes

      Heather Chandler: Well, fuck me gently with a chainsaw. Do I look like Mother Teresa?

    • Alternate versions
      There was a scene scripted, shot but not included in the final film, in which after Veronica steps into the shower with her clothes on, the other girls in the shower room get excited and follow her "cue" and get in the shower fully dressed as well. This leads to every girl with clothes on in the shower room. The jocks peer in and see the fully clothed girls, and are disgusted. Finally afterward, Veronica, and Heather McNamara and Heather Duke walk outside and spot the T.V. cameras coming to the school. The scene ends when the two Heathers run toward the T.V. camera and Veronica stands still, in guilt. A still from this scene can be seen on the Anchor Bay DVD.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Breakthrough Stars of 1991 (1991)
    • Soundtracks
      Que Sera, Sera
      Written by Jay Livingston & Ray Evans

      Published by Jay Livingston Music - St. Angelo Music

      Performed by Syd Straw

      Arranged by Van Dyke Parks

    User reviews360

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    The definition of satire on film
    I first saw "Heathers" when it was first released in 1989 and to this day I remember most of the lines and scenes which cause me to laugh at all the wrong times.

    I went to see the film because the hot actor of the time was Winona Ryder and I was in love with her after seeing her in "Lucas" and "Beetlejuice" and "1969". In each movie she played a version of a Goth chick - very smart, very pretty, but with a monotone delivery and moody attitude.

    I also wanted to catch Christian Slater. I remembered him from his role as Binx in "The Legend of Billie Jean" and in the film "Tucker: The Man and His Dream"

    "Heathers" is great satire of teen life back in the 1980's. It picks apart every teen angst and cliche and spins it in a goofy plot of rebellion and revenge gone amuck.

    Ryder, playing Veronica, is on the fringe of the popular clic run by 3 girls names Heather. Each Heather is abusive, dumb, and pretty. For any teen who wanted to fit in the popular crowd but couldn't make it completely will identify with Veronica.

    She meets a new student, J.D., played by Slater who is the complete opposite of the popular crowd. He wants nothing to do with them or the school. Veronica finds this interesting and soon she falls under the expert manipulation of J.D. Due to what starts as an accidental death, the two start a chain of events that looks like a teen suicide epidemic that was the common fear of adults back then.

    Slater steals the movie from Ryder with his sly Jack Nicholson line delivery and James Dean attitude. Ryder is good but she can't stop Slater from chewing up the scenes.

    The adults in the movie are classic clueless parental units that teen movies seem to always need. The best one is the guidance counselor that says "Whether or not a teenager decides to kill themselves is the biggest decision of their life. "

    Watching this movie I kept saying to myself "They just did not do that?" or "They just did not say that?" I never laughed so hard in my life at that time.

    A special treat was the Heather played by Shannen Doherty. Besides Ryder and Slater, she was the only other actor that I knew (except for Patrick Labyorteaux, who played the jock "Ram" who can now be seen on JAG as Ens. Roberts). Before Heathers, Shannen had played good girl roles and had just ended a series called "Our House" where she wanted to become a pilot. Her role became more interesting after finding out she turned out like her "Heather" character in real life.

    The only thing that bothers me about this film today is that it could never be made today. The suicide epidemics (that still happen from time to time) has been replaced by killing one's classmates at school. I just don't think the studios would have the guts to film a satire like "Heathers" today.

    As a side note: I read some of the previous comments from users who have only seen this movie on TV. All I can say is see the uncut version either on a movie channel or rent the DVD. The language and satire will only work in its uncensored format.
    helpful•130
    26
    • cadfile
    • Apr 15, 2004

    FAQ1

    • Where can I find the song "Teenage Suicide (Don't Do It)?"

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 31, 1989 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Lethal Attraction
    • Filming locations
      • Verdugo Hills High School - 10625 Plainview Avenue, Tujunga, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • New World Pictures
      • Cinemarque Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $3,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,108,462
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $177,247
      • Apr 2, 1989
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,163,969
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 43 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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