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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Danny Anderson Film Inquiry Sep 22, 2019

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.

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Rachel Wagner Rachel's Reviews (YouTube) May 13, 2019 A-

I just think it's really funny.

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James Berardinelli ReelViews Oct 2, 2018 2/4

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

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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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Peter Canavese Groucho Reviews Aug 2, 2011 3/4

Full of...goofy ironies, and while it ain't Molire, it is a pretty great entry in the teen-comedy genre. [Blu-ray]

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Jeffrey M. Anderson Combustible Celluloid Sep 23, 2006 3/4

Hilarious and brilliantly deadpan.

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Philip Martin Arkansas Democrat-Gazette May 15, 2006 2/5

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Brad Laidman Film Threat Dec 6, 2005 4/5

I've rarely met anyone who didn't secretly love it passionately.

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Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Aug 21, 2005 2/5

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Jonathan R. Perry Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas) Mar 8, 2005 4/5

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Carlo Cavagna AboutFilm.com Aug 12, 2003 B+

Forget Citizen Kane. As a matter of history, this seminal film is unquestionably the finest work of cinema ever made. Required viewing for all students and fans of the art form.

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James Sanford Kalamazoo Gazette Jul 31, 2003

strives to be offbeat and sometimes works itself into a sweat doing so. The humor often hits the bullseye, however...

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Fred Topel About.com Jul 14, 2003 4/5

Classic '80s Cusack vehicle.

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Ryan Cracknell Movie Views Jul 10, 2003

Better Off Dead's charm stems from its imagination and attitude.

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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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