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Better Off Dead

Play trailer Poster for Better Off Dead PG Now Playing 1h 38m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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74% Tomatometer 27 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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Better Off Dead

Better Off Dead

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Jeff Beck The Blu Spot Better Off Dead is a rather unfortunate mess, one that wants to tell the tale of a young man trying to win back his girlfriend, but which sadly gets drowned out in a series of unfunny running gags that seem to take over the majority of the film. Rated: 2.5/5 Sep 2, 2025 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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Lionel H this movie is soooo 80s offensive. and poking fun of suicide is NOT funny. there are really more things wrong with this movie than good its really not worth watching. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 08/24/25 Full Review Robert T I've rarely met anyone who didn't secretly love it passionately. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/19/25 Full Review CodyZamboni Z Movie is watchable, Mostly for the likeable John Cusack, As he overcomes his heartbreak of losing a rotten ex, he then meets French girl who restores his self esteem, Movie is loaded with gags and slapstick, And some fantasy animated sequences , No big laughs, Most of the gags are barely amusing, And some just suck, Rated 3 out of 5 stars 08/14/25 Full Review stephen b The Christmas Story like breaks from reality add nuance to what would otherwise be a normal kid having the nigh school blues type movie. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/26/25 Full Review M R The movie has its moments. Some of the nostalgia is fun. The ski bully is great and classic 80's, but the story is a little bland as is John Cusack's lead, though Cusack himself did great with the role. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/24/25 Full Review Kai K not the best cusack but still pretty funny, wish the movie overall was more like the second half Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/29/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Better Off Dead

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Movie Info

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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