If you’re a fan of dark comedies and haven’t seen the cult classic movie Heathers, you might be wondering if it’s scary or not. Well, the answer isn’t straightforward, as it depends on your definition of “scary.” However, in this article, we’ll explore the various elements of Heathers that can be considered frightening and help you decide whether or not it’s a movie that will keep you up at night.
What is Heathers?
Before delving into whether Heathers is scary or not, let’s first establish what the movie is about. Released in 1988, Heathers tells the story of Veronica Sawyer (Winona Ryder), a high school student who falls in with a popular clique known as “The Heathers.” The group consists of three girls named Heather: Heather Chandler (Kim Walker), Heather Duke (Shannen Doherty), and Heather McNamara (Lisanne Falk).
As Veronica grows disillusioned with The Heathers’ cruel behavior towards their classmates, she starts dating outsider J.D. (Christian Slater). Together, they plot revenge against the popular kids who’ve made their lives miserable.
The Dark Themes in Heathers
Now that we’ve established what Heathers is about let’s dive into some of the dark themes present in the movie:
Bullying: One of the most prominent themes in Heathers is bullying. The members of The Heathers use their popularity to torment their less popular classmates mercilessly. They spread rumors, exclude people from social events, and even engage in physical violence.
Suicide: Suicide is another significant theme in Heathers. After one particularly brutal prank perpetrated by The Heathers on a student named Martha Dunnstock (Carrie Lynn), Veronica writes her a fake suicide note as a joke. Sadly, Martha takes her own life, and the school administration covers it up to avoid negative publicity.
Murder: As Veronica and J. carry out their plan of revenge against The Heathers, things quickly spiral out of control, and murder enters the picture. They accidentally kill Heather Chandler, and things only get more violent from there.
The Humor in Heathers
While the themes listed above might make Heathers sound like a bleak and depressing movie, it’s important to note that the film is also a dark comedy. The humor in Heathers comes from its satirical take on high school cliques and how they operate. The movie pokes fun at the absurdity of teenagers’ social hierarchies and how they can lead to cruel behavior towards others.
The movie’s humor also comes from its over-the-top violence and characters’ reactions to it. For example, after Heather Chandler’s death, her funeral becomes a spectacle where everyone is more concerned with how they look than mourning her loss.
Is Heathers Scary?
So, is Heathers a scary movie? Well, as we mentioned earlier, it depends on your definition of “scary.”
If you’re looking for jump scares or supernatural elements, then Heathers isn’t for you. However, if you’re someone who finds real-world issues like bullying and suicide terrifying, then Heathers might be one of the scariest movies you’ll ever watch.
The movie’s violence is also quite graphic at times (although not as much by today’s standards). The scene where Veronica watches J. blow up the school’s boiler room is particularly gruesome.
Conclusion
In conclusion, whether or not you find Heathers scary will depend on your personal preferences when it comes to movies. However, what isn’t up for debate is that Heathers is an intelligent satire that tackles some heavy themes with a dark sense of humor. If you’re someone who enjoys thought-provoking movies with a healthy dose of irreverence, then Heathers is definitely worth checking out.
