A KILLER COMEDY.

In a small-town Ohio high school, Veronica Sawyer (Winona Ryder) is getting tired of being part of the popular clique and is drawn to one of the rebels (Christian Slater)…

The director’s feature debut has become a cult classic over the years thanks to its dark sense of humor and bold theme. As it deals with bullying and teenage suicide, the film attempts a tricky balance.

Drastic in tone, with funny dialogue, and the two stars are amusing in their breakthrough performances, but the film can’t quite live up to its ambition and goes off the rails near the end. 

1989-U.S. 102 min. Color. Directed by Michael Lehmann. Screenplay: Daniel Waters. Cast: Winona Ryder (Veronica Sawyer), Christian Slater (Jason ”J.D.” Dean), Shannen Doherty (Heather Duke), Lisanne Falk, Kim Walker, Penelope Milford.

Trivia: Heather Graham, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Connelly were considered for roles. Later a stage musical and a TV series (2018).

Quote: “Dear diary, my teen-angst bullshit now has a body count.” (Ryder)