Heathers
Purple-flowered heath plants
Heathers is a 1988 American dark comedy film about high school social hierarchy and violence, starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater.
The title refers to a clique of popular girls all named Heather.
The film became a cult classic and inspired a stage musical.
Its sharp satire of teen culture made "Heathers" shorthand for mean-girl dynamics: It was like a scene from Heathers. (Lowercase heathers is the plural of the plant.)
- J.D.Law degree title
- 1988A calendar year
- croquetMallet-and-hoop lawn game
- scrunchieFabric-wrapped elastic band
cult classic · black comedy · iconography · quotable · diary
Exclusive social group
- popularityMass public favor
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
- peer pressureInfluence from one's equals
- cafeteriaSelf-service dining facility
hallway · locker · prom · yearbook · jock · nerd · outcast · homecoming
Teenage developmental stage
- angstDeep unfocused worry
- rebellionDefiance of established power
- coming-of-ageYouth becoming adulthood
- identityWho someone is
conformity · alienation · disillusionment · youth culture · generational · teenage · suburban · repression
Mockery exposing vice
- mordantCuttingly critical in expression
- gallows humorJoking about grim subjects
- ironyMeaning opposite to words
- subversiveSeeking to undermine authority
transgressive · taboo · cynical · biting · sharp · caustic · deadpan · morbid humor
Voluntary death by oneself
- murderDeliberate unlawful killing
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- revengePunishing a wrongdoer
- power dynamicsRelational patterns of influence
complicity · facade · violence · moral ambiguity · sociopathy · betrayal · guilt · consequence
Winona Ryder
scrunchie · cult classic · black comedy · iconography · quotable · diary
clique
Exclusive social group
- popularityMass public favor
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
- peer pressureInfluence from one's equals
cafeteria · hallway · locker · prom · yearbook · jock · nerd · outcast · homecoming · social hierarchy
adolescence
Teenage developmental stage
- angstDeep unfocused worry
- rebellionDefiance of established power
- coming-of-ageYouth becoming adulthood
identity · conformity · alienation · disillusionment · youth culture · generational · teenage · suburban · repression · authenticity
satire
Mockery exposing vice
- mordantCuttingly critical in expression
- gallows humorJoking about grim subjects
- ironyMeaning opposite to words
subversive · transgressive · taboo · cynical · biting · sharp · caustic · deadpan · morbid humor · uncomfortable
suicide
Voluntary death by oneself
- murderDeliberate unlawful killing
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- revengePunishing a wrongdoer
power dynamics · complicity · facade · violence · moral ambiguity · sociopathy · betrayal · guilt · consequence · dark side
- 1989 FilmsBatman, Dead Poets Society, Driving Miss Daisy, Do the Right Thing, Glory
- 80s Pop CultureBack to the Future, E.T., Ghostbusters, Indiana Jones, The Breakfast Club
- musicalsWicked, Les Miserables, Cats, Chicago, Grease
- Cult FilmsEraserhead, The Room, Donnie Darko, Napoleon Dynamite, Army of Darkness
- ComediesThe Hangover, Bridesmaids, Ghostbusters, Blazing Saddles, The Naked Gun
- satirelampoon, parody, parody account, political satire, spoof
Heathersaquatic plants
Vegetation growing in water
water lilies · cacti · succulents · tropical plants · palms
HeathersSixteen Candles
Adolescent birthday milestone
The Breakfast Club · Pretty in Pink · Say Anything · High School Musical · Grease