Heathersis conventionally put in a lineage withCluelessandMean Girlsas female-driven teen comedies that define the movies’ respective generations. This easy comparison overlooks the dark tone ofHeathers, makingThe Crafta more fitting companion. WhileHeathersandCluelessare both about popularity and high school cliques, putting them in dialogue just for sharing a setting is too simplistic.
Heathersstarred Winona Ryder as Veronica Sawyer, a girl trying to join the Heathers’ popular crew. By contrast,The Craftis about four girls who are not just unpopular but actively targeted.Robin Tunney led the cast ofThe Craftas Sarah Bailey, who has a similar arc with magic as Veronica had with popularity: first she sees it as a tool but then realizes it can be a weapon.EveryCluelesscharacter gets their happy ending, but not everyone escapesthe end ofThe Craft– much likeHeathers. WhileHeathersis usually compared to the likes ofClueless, the thematic links withThe Craftare undeniable.
The Craft Is Closer To Heathers Than Clueless Or Mean Girls Ever Were
Heathers And The Craft Share A Sense Of Darkness
Heathersis a dark comedy, andThe Craftis a supernatural drama with a lot of humor. They are tonal sisters. BothHeathersandThe Crafthave body counts that begin if not accidentally, then at least unintentionally. At this point, the leads, Veronica inHeathersand Sarah inThe Craft, feel like they have exacted their revenge and even regret having taken it this far. However, their partners, J.D. inHeathersandThe Craft’s Nancy Downs, are too power-hungry and continue to escalate the violence.
Heatherswas adapted into a Broadway musical, making some tasteful changes to the plot while retainingtheessence of the story.
HeathersandThe Craftshare many dark moments, including spreading false gossip about sexual relations, rape or attempted rape, and suicidal ideations. Veronica decides to take action with J.D. after two football players start a rumor she performed oral sex on both of them. Similarly, Sarah decides to complete Nancy’s coven only after a popular boy spreads a lie about having had sex with Sarah. Both movies follow outsiders seeking revenge. In many ways,The Craftis a magical extension ofHeathers.
Why Clueless & Mean Girls Aren’t Really Similar To Heathers
Clueless Is Told From Queen Bee’s Point Of View
Heathersis told from the perspective of Veronica, someone trying to break into the popular circle.Cluelessis the reverse - Cher Horowitz is the popular girl, the main character taking on a new student as a project. As such,Cluelessis a version of events as ifHeatherswas told from Heather Chandler’s point of view.The Craftis about the disenfranchised trying to balance the scales of justice, which feels much more spiritually likeHeathers.
Heathers: 5 Things That Hold Up Today (5 That Didn’t Age Well)
A cult classic, Heathers is an ’80s teen movie with a pitch-black sense of humor. While still biting, some of this Winona Ryder film has aged poorly.
Heathers,Clueless, andMean Girlsare all movies about cliques and teenage girls’ desire to be accepted if not popular. However, beyond the high school setting and small ensemble format,Heathersis different in tone and theme fromCluelessandMean Girls.CluelessandMean Girlsare lighter comedies compared to the black comedy ofHeathers. For example, while Cady Heron might steal Regina George’s boyfriend, Nancy outright kills Sarah’s.
HeathersandThe Craftare a perfect double feature, as areCluelessandMean Girls.
In different ways,Heathers,Clueless,Mean Girls, andThe Craftall grapple with the concept of losing one’s identity to gain acceptance or power. However, the harshestCluelessever gets is when Cher is called “just a virgin who can’t drive.” This is a far cry fromSarah invoking a Pagan deity, Manon, to retaliate against Nancy.HeathersandThe Craftare a perfect double feature, as areCluelessandMean Girls. For allHeathers' obvious influence on other projects,The CraftisHeathers’ true spiritual successor.
The Craft
Cast
The Craft is a 1996 teen horror movie starring Robin Tunney, Neve Campbell, Fairuza Balk, and Rachel True. The Andrew Fleming-directed film focuses on a group of outcasts at an LA high school who practice witchcraft and create their own coven. The film received mixed reviews but was a surprise hit at the box office for Columbia.
