Movie Review: Weird Science (1985)

★★★★★

Weird Science is bonkers inventing a dream girl with a computer? Classic '80s nonsense, and I love it.

Zach H.

Texas

There are teen comedies, and then there are teen comedies with a dash of Frankenstein and a sprinkle of magic that’s Weird Science.

As a reviewer for BoxReview.com, I’ve revisited this movie more times than I can count, and every time I’m reminded that while the premise is pure 80s ridiculousness, it’s also a surprisingly sweet story about friendship, courage, and learning to value yourself without shortcuts.

The Premise: Build-a-Girl Before It Was a Meme

Gary Wallace (Anthony Michael Hall) and Wyatt Donnelly (Ilan Mitchell-Smith) are socially awkward best friends who spend their weekends dodging bullies and dreaming of dates they’ll never get. Inspired by a late-night Frankenstein viewing, they decide to use Wyatt’s computer to “design” the perfect woman.

After feeding the machine fashion magazines, personality profiles, and in true 80s fashion, a bra on their heads, a freak electrical surge brings Lisa (Kelly LeBrock) to life.

Lisa isn’t just stunning, she’s confident, fearless, and determined to help Gary and Wyatt come out of their shells… by throwing wild parties, confronting bullies, and generally turning their suburban world upside down.

Anthony Michael Hall & Ilan Mitchell-Smith: The Odd Couple of 80s Geekdom

Hall’s Gary is the more mouthy, impulsive half of the duo, delivering rapid-fire one-liners and leaning into awkward charm. Mitchell-Smith’s Wyatt is quieter, more hesitant, and the perfect straight man to Hall’s chaos.

What doesn’t get talked about enough is how believable their friendship feels. They may be playing exaggerated “nerds,” but their banter, loyalty, and shared panic when things spiral out of control give the film its heart.

Kelly LeBrock as Lisa: The Genie Who Knows Better

Lisa could’ve easily been a shallow fantasy character, but LeBrock plays her with wit and authority. She’s not there to be their dream girl; she’s there to shake them up, push them out of their comfort zones, and make them grow.

She’s part fairy godmother, part older sister, and part chaos agent. And she has no problem telling the boys when they’re acting like idiots.

Bill Paxton as Chet: Comedy Gold in a Military Crew Cut

Chet, Wyatt’s older brother, might be one of the funniest side characters in all of John Hughes’ work. Paxton plays him as a smug, bullying, borderline sadistic older sibling, and every scene he’s in is pure comedic gold.

And yes, the infamous “Chet transformation” near the end is as bizarre now as it was in 1985 and still hilarious.

Underappreciated Element: The Surreal Edge

For all its teen comedy tropes, Weird Science veers into straight-up surrealism at times. A missile appears in Wyatt’s bedroom. Mutant bikers crash a party. Chet… well, you know. These moments keep the movie unpredictable and give it a cartoon logic that makes it endlessly rewatchable.

It’s Hughes playing in a different sandbox, less realistic than Sixteen Candles or The Breakfast Club, but just as character-driven.

The Humor: Equal Parts Slapstick and Snark

The comedy works on multiple levels:

• Physical gags — kitchen disasters, party chaos, and that bathroom scene with the girls.

• Verbal banter — Hughes’ knack for sharp teen dialogue is on full display.

• Situational absurdity — the “perfect woman” plot is already absurd, but Hughes keeps upping the ante.

Anthony Michael Hall’s drunken bar scene alone is worth the price of admission. It’s a masterclass in teen comedy timing.

The Soundtrack: Oingo Boingo and Beyond

If you know Weird Science, you know the title song by Oingo Boingo. But the soundtrack goes deeper, mixing new wave, rock, and synth-heavy tracks that lock the movie firmly in the mid-80s.

The music doesn’t just set the mood — it’s part of the movie’s personality, bouncing between rebellious and goofy.

The Themes: More Than Just Geek Wish Fulfillment

Beneath the absurd premise, the movie is about self-worth. Gary and Wyatt think they need Lisa to make them popular and confident, but her real gift is showing them that they had the potential all along.

It’s also a sly commentary on teenage fantasy vs. reality, how the things you think will make you happy often aren’t the things you actually need.

Why Weird Science Still Works Today

Yes, some aspects are very 1985, the fashion, the tech, the social dynamics, but the core idea of wanting to reinvent yourself overnight is timeless.

It also still works because it’s not mean-spirited. Even the bullies get a bit of redemption, and the ending leaves everyone better than they started.

Plus, it’s a John Hughes movie with enough weirdness to stand apart from the rest of his teen catalog.

Final Thoughts

Weird Science is proof that you can mix teenage awkwardness, sci-fi nonsense, and a surprisingly warm message into one memorable package. It’s a comfort movie for anyone who ever felt like the odd one out and a reminder that confidence can’t be programmed.

If you’ve never seen it, you’re in for a uniquely 80s ride. And if you have, it’s worth revisiting just to watch Anthony Michael Hall, Ilan Mitchell-Smith, and Kelly LeBrock bounce off each other in one of the strangest, sweetest teen comedies of its time.