Better Off Dead (1985) | 2025 Electric Film Series Free Screening

FMASU’s Electric Film Series returns to The Electric Theater on July 15th with a FREE 40th Anniversary screening of a mid-80s comedy cult classic. Here’s a hint for you. This screening may be FREE but for obvious reasons, we should be charging “$2.”

“Better Off Dead” (1985)

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Writer/director Savage Steve Holland (“One Crazy Summer,” “How I Got Into College”) doesn’t get nearly enough love. His take on the 80s teen experience was always something a little bit different from some of the more angsty-centric elements we were seeing from his contemporaries. His films were always charming, high energy, and seemingly random in equal measure, and in the end, while Holland may not have enjoyed the same sort of success as someone like John Hughes, his 80s essentials have certainly grown in popularity through the years. This is especially true of his most beloved film, the hilarious John Cusack-headlined romp, “Better Off Dead,” which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. In this righteously hilarious offering, Cusack is Lane Meyer, a lovesick teen who must adjust to life after his girlfriend dumps him. Among other things, this very funny movie  features a colorful cast of supporting characters played by the likes of lovely Diane Franklin (who also broke hearts in “The Last American Virgin”), Curtis Armstrong (“Revenge of the Nerds”), Laura Waterbury (“Honey, I Shrunk the Kids”), Yujji Okumoto (“The Karate Kid Part II”), Dan Schneider (“Good Burger”), Kim Darby (“Teen Wolf, Too”), David Ogden Stiers (“M*A*S*H”), Vincent Schiavelli (“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”), and Demian Slade (“Back to the Beach”) as the world’s most persistent delivery boy. Last month, attendees were treated to the relentlessly contagious spirit of laughter by way of “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” and that contagion continues this month with the 80s touchstone that is “Better Off Dead.” Per usual, we at The Electric Film Series aren’t just about the movies themselves. We’re also all about film history and context and as such, with each of these screenings we have a very special guest on hand to introduce the title of the evening and to lead a post-screening discussion. Our guest speaker for this very special 40th-Anniversary screening of “Better Off Dead” is Red Carpet Cinema co-founder, medical professional, and lifelong “Better Off Dead” fan, Lara Jackson. If you’ve ever been to a Red Carpet Cinema event (i.e. The GEMS, Hitch Fest, etc.), then you know that Mrs. Jackson’s love for movies in general runs deep. Therefore, you can expect plenty of great insight and that will only add to the magic of the evening.  Be sure to arrive at our screening a little early and order an optional menu item from Riggatti’s to enjoy during the post-screening discussion or, you can feel free to take the pizza home with you following the movie. The Electric Film Series is free for the community, but donations are greatly encouraged as every cent raised will go towards covering our 2025 Electric Film Series season. When RSVPing for your FREE Electric Film Series tickets, it will now list a "Name Your Own Price" option. You're welcome to insert $0 so that the tickets are free of charge but again, we hope you'll consider a donation. Even if only… $2!!!” (See what we did there?) Regardless, thank you for your continuous support.

More on the Electric Film Series; FMASU proudly presents The Electric Film Series - A Journey Through the History of Film: Year 5! 

We're taking audiences on a cinematic adventure that spans over a century of film one decade at a time…

The third Tuesday of every month, throughout 2025... 

And it’s completely free to the community!

Spread the word!

WHAT: The Electric Film Series Presents a 40th Anniversary Screening of “Better Off Dead” (1985)

WHERE: The Electric Theater located at 68 E. Tabernacle St. in St. George, UT, 84770

WHEN: Tuesday, July 15th at 6 PM (Doors at 5:30 PM)

COST: FREE (Donations are greatly appreciated)

SPECIAL GUEST: Red Carpet Cinema Co-Founder and Medical Professional, Lara Jackson