It is true that now a days this movie might be viewed as being tasteless because of the cavalier way that such serious topics are discussed. But you need to just immerse yourself in the world of the movie and just enjoy it for what it is, a dark comedy. It isn't meant to be bunnies and sunshine. It is meant to creep you out a little bit, but make you laugh as well. So enjoy Heathers for what it is.
Heathers
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
After Columbine, this dark comedy isn't as funny.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 15–16
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Heathers was written by Maria Llull
Parents need to know that teens will probably want to see this pitch-black comedy, but it's better for those just exiting high school and up. This film goes to extremes portraying the cruelness of the popular crowd and the rebellion against it. The popular kids are murdered by poisoning and shooting and their suicide notes are forged. There are two more "real" attempted suicides, some self-mutilation, and bulimia. There's lots of gunplay by the main characters and one bloody scene. J.D. attempts to blow up the school and all its students with dynamite. Teens have sex (outdoors and at a college party) and speak crudely about it. Two boys are sexually aggressive. And there's plenty of harsh and homophobic language.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about popularity, suicide, depression, and any number of hot-button teen subjects. High school is a high-anxiety microcosm of what awaits teenagers post-graduation. How do you deal with pressure successfully? How do you learn to make positive decisions?
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More on Heathers
What’s the Story?
Three girls, all named Heather (Shannen Doherty, Lisanne Falk, and Kim Walker), run things from the top of the social food chain at Westburg High. Veronica Sawyer (Christian Slater), a witty rebel who quickly steals Veronica's heart. J.D. supports her hatred of the Heathers and joins her in a vindictive practical joke on the top Heather. But the joke is for keeps when Heather drinks J.D.'s "hangover cure" made of deadly cleaning fluid. A shocked Veronica decides to help J.D. cover up the murder by making it look like suicide. A series of copycat suicides quickly envelops Westburg High. The phenomenon takes on a bizarre life of its own as the student body, faculty, and parents all react to the macabre events in their own clueless and dysfunctional way. Meanwhile, Veronica must admit to herself that J.D. is even more of a monster than the Heathers. Can she foil his plot to administer a student body-wide suicide pact?
Is It Any Good?
The odd and often uncomfortable world of teen peer pressure is no stranger to any of us. This dark comedy zooms into this pressure cooker, dishes up some grotesque stereotypes, and tosses them into a cleverly campy scenario that threatens the lives of the entire student body of Westburg High.
HEATHERS is a well-acted movie with many memorable lines. It's become a classic of the teenage macabre genre, and with good reason. Older teens and adults will find that there's much dark delight to be found in its silly, biting twist on teen life.
Movie Details
Studio: Anchor Bay Entertainment, Director: Michael Lehmann
Run time: 103 minutes
Theatrical release: 3/31/1989, DVD release: 9/25/2001
MPAA Rating: R for adult themes
Run time: 103 minutes
Theatrical release: 3/31/1989, DVD release: 9/25/2001
MPAA Rating: R for adult themes
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
A great dark comedy
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
Heathers
A dark highschool satire that makes Mean Girls look like Sesame Street in comparison, Heathers certainly won't appeal to all tastes, but I really enjoyed it. It's probably one of the blackest comedies out there...maybe even a bit too dark, but for the most part, it's a very clever and funny film. Certainly recommended to dark comedy fans.
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