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IMDbPro

Heathers

  • 1988
  • R
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
109K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
811
686
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
Watch What Roles Has Winona Ryder Turned Down?
2 Videos
99+ Photos
ComedyCrime

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.

  • Director
    • Michael Lehmann
  • Writer
    • Daniel Waters
  • Stars
    • Winona Ryder
    • Christian Slater
    • Shannen Doherty
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    109K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    811
    686
    • Director
      • Michael Lehmann
    • Writer
      • Daniel Waters
    • Stars
      • Winona Ryder
      • Christian Slater
      • Shannen Doherty
    • 380User reviews
    • 137Critic reviews
    • 72Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 11 nominations

    Videos2

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

    Photos356

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

    Top cast

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

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The same week Winona Ryder received the script, a student from her high school committed suicide, which only inspired her more to do the film.
    • 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 Siskel & Ebert: 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 reviews380

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    Lick it up viewer; Lick. It. Up.
    Ahhh... the late 80's. When shoulder pads were still in fashion, Winona Ryder hadn't yet been arrested for shoplifting and teen movies didn't solely feature recycled actors.

    When teen genius Veronica Sawyer (Ryder) gets bored with the shallow and cliquey lifestyle of the three Heathers; her new-found high school chums, she wishes them dead. She never expects it to happen, but this all changes when she meets Jason 'JD' Dean (Christian Slater), a cool, darkly-dressed rebel who moves around the US randomly with his distant tycoon father.

    From the iconic opening sequence to the explosive ending, every scene is darkly comic and dripping with irony. It almost looks over-rehearsed as nearly every actor's performance is flawless. Ryder in particular shines with her angst-ridden 'Dear Diary' entries, and Slater I don't believe has ever again encapsulated such a perfect role in his career to date.

    The queen Heather (Kim Walker) really deserved more screen-time. She perfectly represents the bitchy, sneering, self-obsessed High School teen. She even manages to convey vulnerability after uttering the immortal line 'Well f/ck me gently with a chainsaw.' Shannen Doherty starts off with what seems a minor part which gradually builds and lets her have fun with the role. The only disappointing Heather is Lisanne Falk, with whom we don't really connect or care about.

    It's hard to find anything to pick on with this movie, but it could have used some smoother editing. The scenes cut to actors in different lighting and obvious passages of time to deliver major lines, and correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think corpses should breathe.

    The humour is dark and the plot unbelievable at times, but this only adds to the surreal atmosphere and unforgettable lines. A sexy cast, a great script and director Michael Lehmann's vision makes this a must-see film and a worthy addition to any DVD collection. If you haven't yet witnessed the brilliance of Heathers, rectify this now.
    helpful•102
    16
    • Two_Pieces_of_Christina
    • May 15, 2006

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    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
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Lethal Attraction
    • Filming locations
      • Verdugo Hills High School - 10625 Plainview Avenue, Tujunga, Los Angeles, California, USA(Westerburg High School, Sherwood, Ohio)
    • 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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