Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		0.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Heathers 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman August 24, 2024

Anyone who managed to survive their teen years and perhaps especially the fractious world of high school would probably agree their experiences were at least in some ways more like Heathers than the sometimes sweeter ambience of, say, many John Hughes films. Heathers of course is extremely dark at times, with an accruing body count, and if that aspect admittedly may (hopefully?) not be part of most folks' experiences, the underlying subtext of a "society" fraught with patently ridiculous hierarchies and statuses should certainly be relatable to just about everyone. Heathers has had several releases in Region A, including an early release in the nascent days of the Blu-ray format with rather whimsical packaging, as well as a more recent SteelBook (as of the writing of this review, that packaging format hasn't been reviewed here yet). Arrow itself brought its own 1080 release out in Region B back in 2018 which featured a 4K restoration of the original camera negative, and is now revisiting the title with this 4K UHD release. The film may be a bit melancholy now with the recent passing of Shannon Doherty, since this film probably helped to cement her image as a "mean girl". Note also that this release offers one new supplement that was not included on Arrow's 1080 release.

Those wanting a plot recap and assessment of technical merits and supplements are encouraged to read both of Martin Liebman's reviews (linked below). While the text is largely similar, they have different screenshots, some of which I've attempted to duplicate in this review and our Heathers Blu-ray review of Arrow's 1080 version, so that those interested can do a side by side (by side) comparison.

Heathers Blu-ray review

Heathers Blu-ray review

Heathers 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: Screenshots were sourced from Arrow's previously released standalone 1080 version. Per Arrow's standard operating procedure, this release does not include a 1080 disc, and so the 2K video score above has been intentionally left blank.

Heathers is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Arrow Video with an HEVC / H. 265 2160p transfer in 1.85:1. The following verbiage about the restoration can be found in the insert booklet accompanying their 4K UHD version:

Heathers has been exclusively restored by Arrow Films and is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 with mono, stereo and 5.1 sound.

The original 35mm camera negative was scanned in 4K at EFilm, Burbank. The film was restored and graded in SDR, HDR10 and Dolby Vision at Silver Salt Restoration, London. The audio mixes were remastered at Deluxe Audio Services, Los Angeles.

I kinda sorta joke in our review of Arrow's 1080 version that as vivid as the palette was in that version, Arrow's 4K UHD outing "turns things up to 11". And in fact this offers some of the most mindblowingly vivid reds in particular that I remember seeing on a 4K UHD disc. This version can also noticeably offer better fine detail on things like the tufted fabric of the lettermen fabrics and the stylish costumes the Heathers tend to wear when stacked up against Arrow's already excellent 1080 presentation. As I also mention in the 1080 review, there are some minor fluctuations in density and probably more wide ranging fluctuations in grain resolution (not necessarily tied to opticals), and both of those aspects are arguably more noticeable here due to the increased resolution of the format and/or HDR / Dolby Vision. The grain field may be particularly attention getting, since it can be so thick at times, especially in some of the interior school settings. Grain tends to be much more tightly resolved (or at least less "insistent", if that's a good way to describe it) in many of the gorgeously saturated outdoor scenes, where it tends to at least look more tightly resolved. Rather interestingly, as thick as the grain is, this 4K version offers a more "stabilized" image of the striped bedspread that I mention in the 1080 review, where that resolution offers a very brief anomaly where the thick grain almost makes the stripes look like they're moving. As with Arrow's 1080 version, there's little doubt that this 4K offering is brighter and offers better clarity than the old Starz / Anchor Bay 1080 release, and HDR / Dolby Vision brings surprising new life to palette highlights that can already be kind of gobsmacking in Arrow's 1080 release.

Heathers 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Arrow's version of Heathers should delight audiophiles as much as its visuals should please videophiles, since this version offers both the original mono track in LPCM Mono, along with LPCM 2.0 and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 options (the old Starz / Anchor Bay release offered only Dolby TrueHD 5.1 audio). Perhaps surprisingly, the mono track may suffice perfectly well for many listeners, as it's nicely full bodied and very well prioritized. Toggling between the three tracks is kind of an exercise in successive "opening up", though I have to say the biggest difference I heard between the mono and stereo tracks was probably with regard to score. The surround track is not the most consistently immersive thing many will have ever heard, but it has moments of clear engagement of the side and rear channels, and it has a more fulsome low end that tend to support both score and passing effects like the occasional gunshot. Optional English subtitles are available.

Heathers 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Commentary is by director Michael Lehmann, producer Denise Di Novi and writer Daniel Waters, and kind of hilariously (at least given the general tone of the actual film) comes with a warning about strong language.


• Lehmann's Terms (HD; 15:05) is a fun interview with director Michael Lehmann.


• Pizzicato Croquet (HD; ) is a wonderfully named set of interviews featuring composer Thomas Newman and Michael Lehmann discussing the film's music.


• So Very: The Art and Design of Heathers (HD; 15:14) features production designer Jon Hutman, art director Kara Lindstrom and Michael Lehmann.


• Casting Westerberg High (HD; 11:35) offers casting director Julie Selzer.


• Poor Little Heather (HD; 17:41) is an interview with actress Lisanne Falk.


• Scott and Larry and Dan and Heathers (HD; 38:27) features Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski (Ed Wood, The People vs. Larry Flynt), along with Heathers scribe Daniel Waters.


• The Big Bowie Theory (HD; 35:03) is an appreciation by John Ross Bowie.


• Return to Westerburg High (HD; 21:21) is an archival making of piece.


• Swatch Dogs and Diet Coke Heads (HD; 30:01) is another archival featurette, this one with several fun interviews with the cast. This was not included on Arrow's 1080 release.


• The Beaver Gets a Boner (HD; 19:53) is a 1985 student film by Michael Lehmann.


• Lethal Attraction (Heathers) Trailer (HD; 2:55)


• 30th Anniversary Re-release Trailer (HD; 1:45)


• Image Gallery (HD)

Additionally the keepcase features a reversible sleeve and encloses a nicely appointed insert booklet and a folded mini poster. Packaging features a slipcover.

Heathers 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

As sad as it may be, as long as there's high school, there will probably always be cliques and bullies, which may make Heathers "timeless" in its own way. This 4K UHD version from Arrow offers pretty ravishing video (though grain-phobes had best steel themselves), nice audio options and Arrow's typical assortment of really excellent supplements. Highly recommended.