Better Off Dead

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Better Off Dead

PG

1985

1h 38m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

77%

Tomatometer

26 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

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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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

Marjorie Baumgarten

Austin Chronicle

John Cusack launched his career as a lovable loser at love with this teen comedy about a guy who gets dumped when his girlfriend decides to trade up.

Mar 10, 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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Payton T

This is one of my favorite movies ever because it encompasses every teenage daydream as well as every teenage nightmare in the perfect example of an 80s out-of-pocket comedy movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/11/24

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Margaret C

-1/2 point for Dan Schneider (give that boy his earned $2)

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/20/24

Full Review

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

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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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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
Producer: Michael Jaffe
Screenwriter: Savage Steve Holland
Production Co: CBS Entertainment Productions, A&M Films
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Jul 16, 2002
Box Office (Gross USA): $10.3M
Runtime: 1h 38m

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