There are many great films about high school, but few are as gritty and entertaining as “Heathers,” the 1980s thriller from director Michael Lehmann and screenwriter Daniel Waters. The story follows Veronica Sawyer (Winona Ryder) as she becomes part of her school’s most popular social clique – all named Heather, hence the film’s title – but she remains an outcast who never really fits in. Then she meets a cute boy named JD (Christian Slater), and they start killing the cool kids. Isn’t that how all great romances are born?
The film starring Winona Ryder was a box office failure upon release, but “Heathers” has since become a cult classic (not to mention a clear influence on films like “Mean Girls”). Plus, the beloved dark comedy is currently available to stream for free on Pluto TV, so now is the perfect time to finally check it out or simply revisit the film for a macabre trip down memory lane.
The “Heathers” franchise was briefly resurrected with a misguided TV series that failed to capture the film’s subversive qualities, so don’t let that deter you from watching the original film. Lehmann and Waters’ feature still packs quite a punch, which must give Ryder a sense of validation, considering people tried to convince her to turn down the project for the sake of her career.
Winona Ryder was willing to risk her career for Heathers
Even though the comedic elements soften the impact of the brutality on display, “Heathers” remains a film about high school students killing their classmates – a controversial subject of the enduring variety if ever there was one. No matter what era we live in, such a concept is sure to push people’s buttons while garnering admiration from others because of its boldness. However, in the ’80s, Winona Ryder’s agent was in the dismay camp when it came to “Heathers,” so much so that she tried to convince the actor to turn down the project. Here’s what Ryder had to say about it during an interview with Harper’s BAZAAR in 2024:
“But my agent at the time literally got on her knees, she said to me, ‘Please, you’re going to destroy any chance of a career.’ But I actually lost my job right as it was coming out. I had been cast in a film and the director was very offended. […] I think I made the right choice.”
Suffice to say, “Heathers” didn’t destroy Ryder’s career, as she went on to star in many successful films and TV series, and she’s still a household name in 2025. At the same time, you can understand why the “Beetlejuice” star’s agent was concerned about her future prospects after accepting the role of Veronica. “Heathers” is a biting movie – and that’s why it’s great.
