Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Mild
- goofy
- irreverent
- macabre
- cult movie night
- halloween viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film an unsuccessful teen horror comedy whose deadpan performances and lightness could not overcome its nonsensical plotting, broad characterization, and mismatched sunny tone.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Johnny's urges to eat Missy and anxiety about his decomposing body translate teenage sexuality and acne anxiety into zombie-comedy imagery.
Johnny returns from the grave and faces ostracism and discrimination while seeking Missy's affection.
The teen romance and zombie premise are played with light, deadpan parody despite death, graveyard imagery, and decomposition.
Johnny's long-standing school crush becomes a romance only after his death and resurrection.
Films like My Boyfriend's Back, and why
Heathers
teen horror comedy, deadpan parody, and outsider romance
Warm Bodies
romantic zombie premise, dark comedy, and macabre coming-of-age themes
The Return of the Living Dead
zombie comedy, irreverent humor, and genre parody
Fright Night
teen romance mixed with horror satire and outsider identity
Movie Details
- Director
- Bob Balaban
- Release Date
- 1993-08-06
- Runtime
- 85 min
- Rating
- 5.7 / 10 (95)
Cast
- Andrew Lowery
- Traci Lind
- Danny Zorn
- Edward Herrmann
- Mary Beth Hurt
- Jay O. Sanders
- Libby Villari
- Matthew Fox
- Philip Seymour Hoffman
- Paul Dooley
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is My Boyfriend's Back about?
- A lovesick teenager returns from the grave to pursue his high-school crush in a goofy, macabre romantic comedy.
- What is My Boyfriend's Back like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of My Boyfriend's Back as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is My Boyfriend's Back violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in My Boyfriend's Back as mild.
- What did critics think of My Boyfriend's Back?
- Critics broadly found the film an unsuccessful teen horror comedy whose deadpan performances and lightness could not overcome its nonsensical plotting, broad characterization, and mismatched sunny tone.
- Which films are like My Boyfriend's Back?
- Films with a similar feel include Heathers, Warm Bodies, The Return of the Living Dead, and Fright Night.
- How long is My Boyfriend's Back?
- My Boyfriend's Back runs 85 minutes.
- Where can I watch My Boyfriend's Back?
- In United States, My Boyfriend's Back streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
