Image Courtesy IMDb

In 1999, New WorldPictures released a drama-filled, cult classic film titled “Heathers” and Paramount Pictures released a 2018 TV show based on the revamped fan favorite.

“Heathers” is based around a group of popular girls, all named Heather, and their friend Veronica who is tired of their ridiculous shenanigans.

I was cuddled up in my bed on Friday night, when I watched the first episode of the Netflix original. As a big fan of the original “Heathers”, I had high hopes for the remake. However, the show begins with a semi-dramatic scene, and little context into the opening sequence. I was disappointed by the atrocity before me and it was only five minutes into the show’s runtime.

Compared to “Heathers” the movie, the acting in this show is about as credible as the news in the today’s media. Heather Chandler’s character is poorly portrayed, with Melanie Field’s terrible acting, fake laugh, and evil looks. The leader of the Heather circle, Heather Chandler, is a self-absorbed, she-devil who wants nothing more than to ruin the lives of many students at the small Ohio high school. This particular Heather is projected as a vindictive character in the movie, but this tv show lacks the ability to accurately convey Ms. Chandler’s personality.

Veronica Sawyer, played by Grace Victoria Cox, on the other hand, shows viewers what acting is supposed to look like; a believable persona. By being realistic in her character’s personality, Grace Victoria Cox’s portrayal of Veronica Sawyer, was the only reason I didn’t change the channel. Putting these two characters next to each other just emphasizes the abomination that is Heather Chandler’s character.

“Heathers” the movie received a seven out of ten, while the TV show received a mere four out of ten, according to IMDb. Clearly, the movie was more liked overall, and I’d have to agree with these ratings.

Not only does the show exhibit the student-on-student violence, it glamorizes teen suicide. This isn’t the kind of TV show teens need; in fact, it’s quite the opposite. Teenagers today see enough student-on-student violence and suicide. TV shows should be an escape from reality, not a window into what’s really happening. Overall, the TV show, “Heathers” is an atrocity of a show and is not something I’d recommend to anyone.