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

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

I just think it's really funny.

| Original Score: A- | May 13, 2019

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

| Original Score: 2/4 | Oct 2, 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.

| Jan 4, 2018

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

| Original Score: 3/4 | Aug 2, 2011

Unfortunately, only about half of the many jokes and gags in the film are actually funny.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jul 24, 2007

Hilarious and brilliantly deadpan.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Sep 23, 2006

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | May 15, 2006

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

| Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 6, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Aug 21, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 8, 2005

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.

Full Review | Original Score: B+ | Aug 12, 2003

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

| Jul 31, 2003

Classic '80s Cusack vehicle.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 14, 2003

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

| Jul 10, 2003

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

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | May 20, 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.

| Mar 10, 2003

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Nov 13, 2002

John Cusack can even turn a no-brainer into worthwhile entertainment

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 17, 2002