Where to Stream Brats (2024): A Documentary on the 80s Brat Pack Era

Brats (2024) is a documentary directed by Andrew McCarthy that dives deep into the cultural phenomenon of the “Brat Pack,” a group of young actors who dominated Hollywood in the 1980s with their coming-of-age films. The term, coined in 1985, was a double-edged sword for the stars who, despite being part of a cinematic golden era, found themselves typecast and dismissed by the industry. McCarthy, himself a core member of this group, uses Brats as a platform to reflect on the personal and professional impact that label had on their lives and careers.

The Premise: Who Were the Brat Pack?

The Brat Pack included actors like Emilio Estevez, Ally Sheedy, Timothy Hutton, Demi Moore, Rob Lowe, Lea Thompson, Jon Cryer, and Andrew McCarthy himself. These stars frequently appeared in iconic 1980s films such as The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, and St. Elmo's Fire. Through interviews with many of these actors, Brats takes a close look at how their careers skyrocketed in tandem with the teen movie genre of the '80s, and how the media's "Brat Pack" label haunted their professional trajectories.

Notably absent from the documentary are Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson, and Anthony Michael Hall, who declined to participate. Nonetheless, the documentary features conversations with key figures, including producers, directors, and the very journalist, David Blum, who first coined the phrase “Brat Pack” in a controversial New York magazine article.

McCarthy's Personal Journey: Making Peace with the Past

For McCarthy, who starred in seminal films like Pretty in Pink and St. Elmo’s Fire, Brats is more than a nostalgic retrospective; it’s a deeply personal exploration of identity, fame, and redemption. He revisits the heyday of the Brat Pack with a nuanced lens, capturing both the excitement of being part of a cultural revolution and the burden of being pigeonholed as a “lightweight” by Hollywood.

Interviews with Emilio Estevez reveal the emotional rollercoaster of being part of such a tight-knit group. Estevez admits that the Brat Pack label brought early benefits but ultimately “did more damage than good,” a sentiment echoed by other members like Demi Moore and Rob Lowe. The documentary also captures the melancholic realization that despite their influence, the Brat Pack members found themselves sidelined by an industry that was quick to dismiss them as frivolous youth icons.

Production and Release

Directed by McCarthy, Brats was produced by ABC News Studios and Neon, with Hulu taking on distribution duties. The film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival on June 7, 2024, before being released for streaming on Hulu on June 13, 2024.

While some actors from the Brat Pack refused to participate, the film is rich with insights from Lea Thompson, Jon Cryer, and even Brat Pack outsider Malcolm Gladwell, who provides a cultural analysis of the group’s significance. The film is further complemented by a nostalgic score, featuring songs from the era, including a haunting cover of Don’t You (Forget About Me) by Zoe Fox and the Rocket Clocks.

Critical Reception

Brats has been well-received, with an 84% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 68, reflecting generally favorable reviews. Critics praised McCarthy's thoughtful and reflective approach, though some felt the documentary missed the voices of notable absentees like Ringwald and Nelson.

One of the standout moments in the documentary is McCarthy’s long-awaited sit-down with David Blum, the journalist who coined the term “Brat Pack.” This tense exchange acts as a cathartic moment for McCarthy, who confronts the label that defined—and haunted—him and his peers for decades.

A Time Capsule of the '80s and a Study on Labels

Brats serves as both a celebration of 1980s cinema and a cautionary tale about the dangers of labels. While the term “Brat Pack” evokes fond memories for many who grew up watching these films, the actors themselves lived with the professional consequences of being reduced to a monolithic group. As the documentary shows, the films they starred in not only shaped a generation but also boxed them into roles they struggled to escape.

At its core, Brats is a love letter to the movies of a golden era in Hollywood, but it’s also a poignant reminder of how fleeting fame can be, and how some labels are harder to shake than others.

For fans of 1980s teen movies, Brats is a must-watch documentary that takes you back to a time when the Brat Pack ruled Hollywood. Through Andrew McCarthy’s personal lens, viewers get a glimpse of the highs and lows of being part of this iconic group. Whether you’re reliving your own memories or discovering this era for the first time, Brats offers a thoughtful reflection on the allure—and burden—of fame in Hollywood’s golden era of teen cinema.

1. What is Brats (2024) about?
   • Brats is a 2024 documentary directed by Andrew McCarthy that explores the Brat Pack, a group of young actors who starred in iconic 1980s coming-of-age films, and how the “Brat Pack” label impacted their careers and personal lives.
2. Who are the main actors featured in Brats?
   • The documentary features interviews with Emilio Estevez, Ally Sheedy, Demi Moore, Rob Lowe, Jon Cryer, Timothy Hutton, and Lea Thompson. Notably, Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson, and Anthony Michael Hall declined to participate.
3. What is the Brat Pack?
   • The Brat Pack refers to a group of young actors who appeared together in popular 1980s films like The Breakfast Club, St. Elmo’s Fire, and Pretty in Pink. The term was coined by journalist David Blum in a 1985 New York magazine article, and it stuck, influencing the public perception of these actors.
4. How did the Brat Pack label affect the actors' careers?
   • While initially giving the actors visibility, the Brat Pack label became a stigma, suggesting they were lightweights or immature. Many, including Andrew McCarthy and Emilio Estevez, felt it did more harm than good, limiting their opportunities in Hollywood.
5. What famous movies did Brat Pack actors star in?
   • Brat Pack actors starred in several coming-of-age classics such as The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, St. Elmo’s Fire, Sixteen Candles, and Less Than Zero.
6. How does Brats explore the impact of the Brat Pack?
   • Brats examines how the Brat Pack movies shaped a generation of young audiences while delving into how the term impacted the actors on a personal level, from typecasting to strained friendships.
7. What notable figures are missing from Brats?
   • Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson, and Anthony Michael Hall, who were key Brat Pack figures, declined to participate in the documentary.
8. Why did Andrew McCarthy decide to direct this documentary?
   • McCarthy, a core member of the Brat Pack, wanted to explore how the label shaped the public's perception of him and his peers, and to reflect on his own experiences being part of this cultural moment.
9. Does the documentary criticize the Brat Pack label?
   • Yes. Several actors in the documentary express how the label oversimplified their talents and created an unwanted group identity, which affected their ability to take on diverse roles in the industry.
10. What role does David Blum play in Brats?
    • David Blum, the journalist who coined the term “Brat Pack,” is interviewed for the first time by McCarthy. The documentary includes a candid conversation about the lasting effects of his 1985 article.
11. What are some key themes explored in Brats?
    • The documentary touches on themes of fame, identity, the pressures of Hollywood, and the long-lasting effects of labels in the entertainment industry.
12. What’s the critical reception of Brats?
    • Brats has received generally favorable reviews, with an 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised its nostalgic reflection on the Brat Pack era, though some noted the absence of key figures like Ringwald and Nelson.
13. Why is Brats important for fans of 1980s teen films?
    • The documentary offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most iconic film groups in history and allows fans to understand the personal challenges the actors faced, beyond their on-screen personas.
14. Where can I watch Brats?
    • Brats premiered at the Tribeca Festival and was released on Hulu on June 13, 2024. It’s available for streaming on Hulu.