Better Off Dead

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Better Off Dead

PG

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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

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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

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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

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Colin M.

I saw those so long ago (prob 5) with my dad that I hardly remember it all. Finally getting the chance to see it, it’s funny how much I actually quote from this movie today. Too silly..? Yes. But the cast is great and I found myself laughing quite a bit.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/05/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Funny in 1 hour and 38 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $10,300,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/04/25

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Kenneth L

This is not a good movie. This is not even a well-made movie. But, it is a classic 80s comedy that still holds up 40 years later.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/18/25

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Smackie u

Absolutely adore this film. Used to watch it to death as a kid. They don't make em like this anymore. Quirky humor that's actually funny and keeps it's soul

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/25

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Dave C

No idea why this has such a high rating. It’s not even a fun 80s movie. It’s disjointed, to say the least. It starts out extremely slow and honestly really boring. The South Park parody is the only reason I looked this up and SP was a way better use of my time.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/02/25

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Sniper F

Oozing with 80's visual comedy. In the future, Shia LaBeouf may have borrowed from Cusack's character in this movie.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/17/25

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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

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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: A&M Films, CBS Entertainment Productions
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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