Heathers: Hollywood's First Mean Girls

Michael Lehmann’s first feature Heathers is a 1988 film which changed the scene for all teen movies to follow. While most of the ‘typical’ teen movies involve excessive amounts of hairspray and a misuse of extensions, Heathers shows a different side of the teen movie which most people would like to ignore. This cult classic proves that pretty faces can often hide a horrible secret. The movie is set in a cliquish school in Ohio which is ruled by three girls who go by the same name. After just a few scenes however, the movie turns into a dark comedy which resembles Carrie more than it resembles Clueless.

In only the first scene, the viewer is introduced to four characters - Veronica and the three Heathers. The Heathers are more easily described as tyrannical despots as opposed to the annoying preppy clique that one would expect when watching a teen movie. It’s also established early on that Veronica doesn’t really belong in the group. She’s often insulted or mistreated by the other three girls and she tries her hardest to stay out of their pranks. While she considers the main villain to be her best friend, she also wishes that she was dead. Every single one of the Heather’s have been involved in socially and morally heinous acts that led to the depression and suicide attempts of their fellow classmates. With the later introduction of Jason Dean (referred to throughout the film as ‘JD’) Veronica starts to get back at the three who have spent years using her as their scapegoat and minion.

So, the diabolically cunning J.D. encourages Veronica to act on her resentments and dislike towards the girls who are supposed to be her best friends. He even helps her ‘get even’ when the cruelest of the Heathers pushes Veronica to her breaking point. This, which Veronica believes is only an accident, sets countless other acts in motion including the cover up of an accidental murder, the planning of the ultimate takedown of crude football players, and the mass destruction of the entire school building. A rash series of suicides breaks out all over the school when the ‘popular’ crowd stars to drop one by one. Yet, no one is able to distinguish real depression and feelings of hate from the fake series of emotions others seem to be going through.

The film was intended to contain a bit from all of the typical teen dramas. Everything from a first love to a first big party is showed throughout the scenes. Yet, the film is still dark and sarcastic. While the initial ‘suicides’ are murders, it’s definitely not a mystery when it comes to who is in the wrong.

The movie may be one of the most important from this decade even though it was a commercial failure and barely brought in $1,108,462. The film didn’t become very popular until it started to resonate with the later generations. With themes involving a loss of innocence, living with parents who are oblivious to your own daily strife, and dealing with your inner thoughts towards your bullies, Heathers is a film that will always be one of the most important mean girl films.

Rated R for language, sexual content, violence and profanity

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