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Susan's Plan

Susan's Plan

Divorce can be murder.

199889 minRMidcredits score: 20th percentile of all films
Director
John Landis
Starring
Nastassja Kinski, Billy Zane, Michael Biehn, Rob Schneider

Susan wants her reprehensible ex-husband dead and, in several bungled attempts by henchmen, tries to accomplish the deed.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Susan's Plan?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove does not list Susan's Plan on any major US streaming service.

Your rating, lists and review

Reception

Is Susan's Plan worth watching?

Susan's Plan's Midcredits score is the 20th percentile of all films, from 2.5K ratings across 4 sources. 28% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

20th percentile

Better received than 20% of films

20th percentile among Comedy22nd percentile among 1990s
Acclaim (how much people like it)24th
Approval (how many liked it)20th

53 /100

24th percentile of all films

25th percentile among Comedy25th percentile among 1990s

Rating distribution

The crowd leans negative, with most ratings sitting in the bottom half of the scale.

Approval

How many liked it

28% liked it

20th percentile of all films

19th percentile among Comedy21st percentile among 1990s
28% rated it 7–1072% rated it 1–6

65th percentile

2.5K ratings across platforms

60th percentile among Comedy59th percentile among 1990s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 36% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$3M

What reviewers say

Common ground

A low-budget dark comedy about a murder scheme gone wrong, driven by a talented cast but hampered by a thin script and messy execution.

Fans praised

  • strong cast performances, especially Biehn, Aykroyd, and Schneider
  • funny first two acts with effective dark humor
  • quirky characters and entertaining crime-comedy tone

Detractors panned

  • disjointed plot and weak, unresolved ending
  • gratuitous female nudity and forced sexual content
  • derivative Tarantino/Coen knockoff lacking original comic spark

What stands out

ActingDivisive65

Cast praised as strong but some performances feel wasted; Biehn's comedic turn and Aykroyd's deadpan gangster stand out

HumorDivisive50

First half laughs but joke well runs dry; hit-or-miss gags

CharactersDivisive45

Colorful but underdeveloped; one-note premise stretched thin

DialogueDivisive40

Forced and flat; actors overcome weak lines

PacingDivisive35

Starts strong but drags in the last half-hour; padded with dream sequences

Plot and storyDivisive30

Simple, clichéd premise that loses focus by the third act

OriginalityDivisive30

Derivative of Fargo and Tarantino; lacks distinctive voice

Ending15

Universally criticized as weak, unresolved, and anticlimactic

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • US vs non-US 7 points apart

Watch experience

What is Susan's Plan like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Easy laugh: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something light that makes you laugh and does not take itself seriously.

It leaves you bittersweet. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Nothing out of the ordinary.

What it feels like

Easy laugh.

Moods
AbsurdTense
Heaviest: late
Dark humor
Register
Absurdist · 7% of films: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.Irreverent · 1% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film holds its murder-plot material at a knowing distance, treating violence and greed as sources of farcical comedy with exaggerated dream sequences and gratuitous sexuality.
The rideThe mood shifts from comedic absurdity in the early acts to rising tension and violence in the final act, with the emotional weight concentrated in the arrests and deaths.
StructureThe story unfolds chronologically from the plan's conception through failed attempts and eventual collapse, with surreal dream sequences integrated into the third act.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Bittersweet.

BittersweetUnsettling
Why it leaves you this wayThe conclusion delivers a mix of justice (conspirators punished) and unfairness (Betty escapes), leaving a slightly unsettling and unsatisfying aftertaste.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).ComedyFarce
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11% (this title): Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% (this title) · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Comedy: Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony. · Farce: Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).

11% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeThe film is a farcical dark comedy centered on a bungled murder-for-insurance scheme, with escalating absurd complications and multiple incompetent hitmen.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfGreedPower
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7% (this title): Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% (this title) · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9% (this title)
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Power

Greed · 3% of filmsDeception · 9% of films
Observes its theme: Presents its theme neutrally, declining to judge.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film centers on Susan's greed-driven scheme to kill her husband for the insurance payout, entangled in a web of lies and double-crosses.
StanceThe film treats its dark farce with a neutral, observational lens, focusing on the chaotic consequences of Susan's greedy scheme without heavy moral judgment.

The world

ContemporarySuburbanDomesticInstitutionalRealistic
Orchestral classicalSupportive music · original score · Peter Bernstein
Settinga suburban American town

Content guide

Is Susan's Plan okay for kids?

R

Susan's Plan is rated R: “Rated R for strong violence, sexuality and language” (MPAA). As of October 2, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (56/100), sexual content at intense (72/100), language at intense (67/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (33/100) and frightening material at mild (33/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Moderate
too few votes to rank (3 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Intense
too few votes to rank (6 votes)
Profanity
Intense
too few votes to rank (3 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
too few votes to rank (3 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Mild
too few votes to rank (3 votes)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (18 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Susan's Plan have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Susan's Plan?

Cast

Nastassja Kinski
as Susan Holland
Billy Zane
as Sam Myers
Michael Biehn
as Bill
Rob Schneider
as Steve
Lara Flynn Boyle
as Betty Johnson
Carl Ballantine
as Harold Beyers
Thomas Haden Church
as Dr. Chris Stillman
Bill Duke
as Detective Scott
Lisa Edelstein
as Penny Myers
Sheree North
as Mrs. Beyers

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Susan's Plan?

Movies like Susan's Plan include Lucky Numbers (2000), Burke and Hare (2010) and The Comedy of Terrors (1963). Of the 12 closest matches, two are films by John Landis, and most are farces.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

11 of these 12 share its character type: partners in crime. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Susan's Plan?

774 other films share the rarest tag below, up against: police officer. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.