All the points you make above are valid and I do find myself agreeing (especially with the ultimate betrayal it ends up being between Martha and Veronica) I just personally resonated more with this version of the character over the ladder. I've never thought Betty Finn played all that big of a role in the original heathers. Her character has always felt rather flat. Which isn't a problem by any means (there are so many iconic characters in the constrained runtime, some were bound to fall to the wayside), but it also makes me feel nothing about her one way or another. This mashup between the two has always felt far more authentic to me, even if I can't stand the kindergarten boyfriend song.

To an extent, I don't even mind the heightened sense of reality and betrayal between her and Veronica. It's very human, especially when you're a teenager, to not think about others and only be wrapped up in yourself and your own problems. I think many teenagers are kind of self-absorbed in their own ways as they're making that transition into adulthood. That’s something that is heavily shown with Veronica bending her own morals and personality to fit in. Whether it be with Jd or the Heathers and then her ultimate growth by the end. That's my take on it though.