Better Off Dead

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Better Off Dead

PG,

1985,

1h 38m,

Comedy

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Watchlist

Watchlist

75%

28 Reviews

Tomatometer

87%

50,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

75%

Tomatometer

28 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 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.

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

Jan 4, 2018

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

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Janet Maslin

New York Times

May 20, 2003

3/5

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

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Marjorie Baumgarten

Austin Chronicle

Mar 10, 2003

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.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Sep 13, 2025

3/4

If this movie has any sort of claim to fame, it’s because of that determined newspaper boy (“Two dollars!”), but there are many inspired set-pieces as well as a startling number of choice lines and exchanges.

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Jeff Beck

The Blu Spot

Sep 2, 2025

2.5/5

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.

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Jas Keimig

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

Jan 28, 2022

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.

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Harry R

Mar 29, 2019

The movie could've turned out better then with what we got, especially with the concept of the film. After his girlfriend breaks up with him and leaves him for a jockey, john Cusack considers committing suicide. Like "Harold and Maude" another comedy film based around death. The movie just has no funny jokes to spare. The acting isn't all that good even with a talented cast. One 80's flick you sure would not want to see.

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Finn W

Jan 27, 2019

the jokes are a bit dated...

Poe S

Dec 31, 2018

One of the funniest movies ever

Albus P

Oct 15, 2018

Ah, good ol' 80's movies. Why does it seem like almost all of them are set in high school? This one is somewhat amusing, from the slightly psychotic John Cusack(a singing hamburger? OK..), the odd 2 dollar obsessed paperboy, to the mute younger brother that's apparently a rocket scientist who can "score" trashy women. It's no Back to the Future or Breakfast Club, but it's satisfying enough.

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Draco L

Aug 18, 2018

One hell of a goofy 80's flick but frequently funny and sometimes psychedelic.

Abraham W

Jul 29, 2018

Best movie I've ever seen, honestly I would say this is for anyone, just an amazing 80s classic! Very underrated also,. 10/10

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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 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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