Movie Review: Heathers (1988)

I have many reviews that I could have posted here, but today is not the day. Here, I am going to talk about one of the controversial dark films back in the 1980s, Heathers. Starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater in this cult classic, the film follows a girl named Veronica whose possesses an intelligence and is unlike her clique peers who are consciously into the popularity and almost every bad quirk in the high school. While in the course of the film, Veronica met a guy named, J.D. and off they go, causing chaos which soon turned into something more sinister. Between the good and bad, the story mainly focuses on Veronica's decision - whether to be like the society or go for something darker like the counterpart.

I thought it was interesting to see such film, showing us the destructiveness of the society. Instead of a whole world, we are shown the characteristics of humans in a high school - colourful background and personalities mingled in one place, in a detrimental system. It pokes fun at how we operate and even till today, such behaviour is common. Looking at how we are living, some people may say that Heathers is a film that glamourises the violence, chaos and bad quirks to the new generation. They are convinced that such film creates an image - wrong depiction of ways that we should not be following and thus, discouraging us from watching. I remembered reading an article titled, I'm 24 and Just Watched 'Heathers' For the First Time - Yikes and I thought to myself, how underrated the core message was raised and misleading the article is saying. In this film, as we followed, we know that all these toxic behaviours are definitely immoral and to say that it is disgusting because of what is today and in the past, is definitely invalid. It is because of films like Heathers that gave us a true representation of a misled society and because of how they brought up on - the diet of following trends, everything that is deemed disturbing, makes these films interesting and be brought up on discussion.

What I am trying to say is that there should be more films like this to tell the new generations about what is wrong and what we should not be following. Films like this are why they are forever remembered because they bring a baggage to our table and let us have a discussion to what we have today. It is like people used to think that smoking is cool and advertisements were commonly placed to promote such culture. Today, it will be different story and Heathers is this story that allows us to know what needs to be done and changed. Aside from the amazing depiction of a fucked up place and people, I really enjoyed the acting from the cast. I could really feel them and relate with them, to the extent that I knew when is to be sympathised and how disappointing people really are (look at Veronica's parents).

In conclusion, I would recommend Heathers to anyone if you are up for any movie at this point of time. To be honest, if 13 Reasons Why is as bold and controversial like this, I doubt anyone who have any issue with the series. Heathers is sure on the right direction when it was released and till today, it is still a film that can be brought up to the table.

Ratings: 7/10