Heathers – Review

Heathers infuses the typical teen high school comedy atmosphere with diabolical plots and murders leading to some dark scenarios. The popular girl group, the Heathers, plus Veronica (Ryder), are in the career of being popular no matter what it takes and where it leads them. While I only recently discovered this film, it strangely is still fairly applicable to life today and is a nice companion to more modern adolescent movies.

As Veronica realizes that popularity is maybe not all she needs in life, she turns to a new kid at school (Slater) to form a strange alliance against the Heathers. What may seem like a normal affair is put into high-gear as events turn deadly.

The film is pretty whimsical throughout, both in clever lines and wacky antics, but it all remains grounded and feels natural to both its created world and reality. Despite the serious nature of most of the plot decisions, the sharp-witted script keeps the tone lighter, even while bodies pile up. Some seriously funny dialogue is mixed into social commentaries on popularity, social trends, friendship, love and teen anxiety.

The script has a timeless feel to it, and the movie plays out almost as if a wacky fantasy. The dialogue still feels genuine over 35 years later, as the “lingo” utilized was written to be abstract, which gives a “timeless” feel. Of course, the fashion trends do not, but the movie remains one of the better dark comedies and social analyses of the 1980s.