"Heathers," a dark comedy, cult-classic film released in 1988, explores the twisted dynamics of high school life and the destructive influence of the two characters, JD and Veronica. Although their relationship is portrayed as a tragic love story, a closer examination reveals a toxic bond fuelled by manipulation, emotional abuse, and a shared attraction to violence. There are many toxic elements in the relationship between JD and Veronica that contribute to the unsettling narrative of "Heathers" So, by exploring these complexities, this essay sheds light on the complexities and toxic elements.
A fundamental aspect of the toxicity in JD and Veronica's relationship is JD's mastery of manipulation and control. From their initial encounter, JD exhibits a calculated ability to exploit Veronica's vulnerabilities and desires, using them as tools to maintain power and dominance. JD's manipulation is evident in the pivotal scene where he convinces Veronica to forge a suicide note for Heather Chandler, the most popular student at Westerberg High School. By preying on her guilt, desire to stay out of trouble, and get into an Ivy League college, JD skilfully manipulates Veronica emotionally, gradually trapping her within his web of deceit. This incident sets the tone for their relationship, as JD consistently coerces Veronica into participating in increasingly heinous acts, further solidifying his control over her.
Moreover, JD's manipulation extends to isolating Veronica from her friends, particularly the Heathers. He deems them unworthy of her friendship, painting them as shallow and oppressive. By distancing Veronica from her support system, JD effectively cuts off her emotional anchors, leaving her vulnerable and dependent on him for companionship and validation. This isolation fuels the power imbalance in their relationship and exacerbates the toxicity that defines their interactions. As much as Veronica states that she does not like them to begin with, it is still a notable point as he was the one that dragged her away from people who half gave a shit about her.
Another disturbing facet of JD and Veronica's relationship is the emotional abuse inflicted upon Veronica by JD. He systematically erodes her self-esteem and emotional well-being, fostering an environment of fear, instability, and manipulation. JD's emotional abuse is best exemplified in the scene where he pressures Veronica into killing Heather Chandler, the most prominent and iconic of the Heathers. By manipulating her insecurities and highlighting her position as a social outcast, JD presents the act as a means of liberation and empowerment. In her vulnerability and longing for acceptance, Veronica succumbs to JD's manipulations and carries out the murder, causing irreparable damage to her psyche.
As the viewers are led to believe that JD and Veronica's relationship will be better after the death of Heather Chandler, JD does some crazy shit and lies again because that's just the type of person he is. Specifically, he lies about the bullets they will be using to kill Kurt and Ram. At first he doesn't try to withhold any information about murdering them, but once he hears Veronica is against this, he changes his course of action. He tells her that the bullets are "Ich Lüge" bullets which means "I Lie" in German. It makes sense because he is lying to her. He needed her to complete the murder because without her, it would be deemed a murder and not a suicide.
When JD and Veronica successfully murder Kurt and Ram, painting it as another suicide, they escape from the police and wake up at Westerberg. Veronica takes a cigarette from JD, she then proceeds to get a lighter and burn her hand. Most viewers found this a little strange but, after closer examination, the act was to be viewed as a "pinch me" scenario. She was hoping by burning her hand, she would "wake up" even though she was not dreaming. After she burns her hand, JD takes the lighter away from her hand and lights his cigarette with her burning flesh. This is supposed to symbolise his sadism, in which he is using her pain for his pleasure. The same act happens when JD blows himself up. Veronica places a cigarette in her mouth and lights it during the explosion, using his pain for her pleasure.
Furthermore, their relationship is characterised by codependency, where both of them become reliant on each other for their sense of identity and purpose. Veronica, who was initially drawn to JD's rebellious nature, gradually becomes complicit in his violent agenda, seeking validation and a sense of belonging. In turn, JD relies on Veronica as his accomplice, validating his actions and justifying his twisted ideology. This codependency intensifies their toxic bond, blurring the lines between love, power, and destruction.
One of the more alarming aspects of JD and Veronica's relationship is their shared attraction to violence and destruction. While JD initially paints himself as a rebel fighting against injustice, it becomes evident that he harbours a dangerous fascination with chaos and destruction. Veronica, driven by a mix of curiosity, infatuation, and her desire to break free from societal norms, gradually embraces this violent side, leading to a further deterioration of their relationship. A quote that perfectly represents this is in Veronica's dream, when JD breaks into her house, she says "You think you're a rebel? You're not a rebel, you're fucking psychotic!" JD, seemingly unfazed by her insinuation only builds onto the fact that he should not even be in this relationship to begin with, as he is clearly unstable and should go to therapy. The fact that this is Veronica's dream and this is how she views him is even worse because there was once a time where she loved him and thought he was cool.
Their mutual involvement in a series of murders epitomises the toxic nature of their bond. Veronica's initial resistance to JD's plans is eventually overcome by her fascination with him, the adrenaline rush of rebellion, and a distorted sense of justice. Together, they embark on a path of destruction, leaving a trail of death and chaos in their wake. This shared enjoyment for violence not only solidifies the toxic dynamics within their relationship but also exposes the danger they pose to themselves and those around them.
To review, the relationship between JD and Veronica in "Heathers" is undeniably toxic, characterised by manipulation, emotional abuse, codependency, and a shared attraction to violence and destruction. JD's mastery of manipulation and control gradually traps Veronica within his web, leaving her emotionally vulnerable and isolated from her support system. The emotional abuse inflicted by JD further erodes Veronica's self-esteem and well-being, fostering an environment of fear and instability. Their shared propensity for violence and destruction blurs the lines between love, power, and chaos, ultimately leading to a devastating outcome. "Heathers" serves as a stark reminder of the dangers inherent in toxic relationships, illuminating the destructive consequences that arise when manipulation, emotional abuse, and violence intertwine. By critically examining JD and Veronica's relationship, we can gain a deeper understanding of the insidious nature of toxicity, highlighting the importance of recognising and breaking free from such harmful bonds in our own lives.
References
Lehmann, M., & Waters, D. (Directors). (1988). Heathers [Film]. Prime Video.
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