Where to Stream Brats: The Brat Pack Documentary by Andrew McCarthy

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.