Starring: Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, Shannen Doherty, Kim Walker and Lisanne Falk
Synopsis: This 1988 black comedy follows the maniacal plot of two teenage lovers, as they try to rid themselves of their most popular and ostentatious classmates. Veronica Sawyer (Ryder) is increasingly put-out by the cruel and self-absorbed antics of the Heathers – a clique of prim, wealthy schoolgirls, (all of whom are called Heather), who have recently accepted her into their elite social circle. Longing to return to her old life, but unsure of how to escape the Heathers without getting socially slaughtered in the process, Veronica is stuck – That is, until she meets J.D. (Slater) – a charming and rebellious outsider with a flair for the extreme and a murderous plan to rid Veronica of all her problems…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTmpKgocyYg
While there are some inherently dark themes to this film (suicide, murder, bullying), the overall effect is actually a lot more fun than you might think. The magnetic chemistry between Ryder and Slater is hypnotic – with Slater’s performance as this mysterious, yet oddly likeable sociopath being especially enthralling. The film is also filled to the brim with excellent quotes (“Fuck me gently with a chainsaw, do I look like Mother Theresa?”, “Chaos is great! Chaos is what killed the dinosaurs, darling.”) and some really, drolly funny moments. If you’ve just gone back to school/college/university, and are already tiring of the obnoxious bitches in your class – pop this cathartic beauty on and lose yourself (alongside Veronica) to the deluded, yet irresistible charms of J.D.
Watch if you liked: Mean Girls, Clueless, The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, Beetlejuice, American Psycho etc.
Rating: 9/10 – Think Mean Girls meets American Psycho and you’ve got yourself this cult classic!
Words by Annie