Better Off Dead

PG

Now Playing

1 hr. 38 min.

Comedy

List

77%

26 Reviews

Tomatometer

87%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Lane Meyer (John Cusack) is a teen with a peculiar family and a bizarre fixation with his girlfriend, Beth (Amanda Wyss). When Beth dumps Lane, he decides to kill himself, making bumbling attempts at suicide. Outside of his morbid endeavors, Lane spends time with his oddball buddy, Charles (Curtis Armstrong), and befriends Monique (Diane Franklin), a visiting French student. Eventually, Lane resolves to race Beth's obnoxious new beau on the ski slopes, with unexpected results.

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Critics Consensus

Better Off Dead is an anarchic mix of black humor and surreal comedy, anchored by John Cusack's winsome, charming performance.

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Cassandra H

This movie is great. Nostalgia. Sorry I'm tired. But it's definitely a classic borderline um.... cult? In my book. I was born in 88 but my oldest of my three older brothers is ten years older than me so I was introduced to many 80s movies early on. This one ranks top spot for me. Even though my parents let me, young girl back then, watch Total Recall, to which I had Doug (Arnold) on my birthday cake at my preschool. Even though he blabbed about Mars. What a time back then...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/27/24

Full Review

Audience Member

One of my all time favorite comedies. Can’t wait to watch it again and again.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/18/24

Full Review

Howard M

Strangest 80's teen film! See it!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/14/23

Full Review

Jason P

Classic comedy with a brilliant pace. Still using lines from this film today.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/13/23

Full Review

Augustine J

Better Off Dead is one of the most absurd movies I've ever seen and I love it. This movie has tons of great recurring gags that continue to build up, it's great. It definitely gives off UHF vibes and it's a great good 80s rom-com. If you're looking for something zany and unrepeatable, this is the movie for you.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/10/23

Full Review

Kris Q

This semi-autobiographical comedy from 1985 is funny as hell. John Cusack was apparently not a fan, but it's a classic. Yeah, kind of stupid in places but, /shrug.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/18/23

Full Review

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Savage Steve Holland

Director

John Cusack

Lane Meyer

Diane Franklin

Monique Junot

David Ogden Stiers

Al Meyer

Kim Darby

Jenny Meyer

Demian Slade

Johnny Gasparini

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James Berardinelli

ReelViews

There's a potentially edgy aspect to Better Off Dead's comedy that's never fully realized.

Rated: 2/4

Oct 2, 2018

Full Review

Paul Attanasio

Washington Post

Mired in this is Cusack ("The Sure Thing"), an unusually adept verbal comedian not so adept (to his credit) at this kind of slapstick.

Jan 4, 2018

Full Review

Janet Maslin

New York Times

The film doesn't seem to have much of a focus. But it doesn't seem to want one, either.

Rated: 3/5

May 20, 2003

Full Review

Jas Keimig

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

The story features enough weirdo side characters, hot French exchange students, absurd gags, CLAYMATION, and zany heart to elevate it beyond teen movie cliche. It's essential viewing.

Jan 28, 2022

Full Review

Danny Anderson

Film Inquiry

Savage Steve Holland, along with Cusack and the rest of his cast, accomplish something unique with Better off Dead. At the surface, the film exhibits the same regressive political traits as many of its contemporary peers.

Sep 22, 2019

Full Review

Rachel Wagner

Rachel's Reviews (YouTube)

I just think it's really funny.

Rated: A-

May 13, 2019

Full Review

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Synopsis

Lane Meyer (John Cusack) is a teen with a peculiar family and a bizarre fixation with his girlfriend, Beth (Amanda Wyss). When Beth dumps Lane, he decides to kill himself, making bumbling attempts at suicide. Outside of his morbid endeavors, Lane spends time with his oddball buddy, Charles (Curtis Armstrong), and befriends Monique (Diane Franklin), a visiting French student. Eventually, Lane resolves to race Beth's obnoxious new beau on the ski slopes, with unexpected results.

Director: Savage Steve Holland
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Jul 16, 2002
Box Office (Gross USA): $10.3M

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