This movie is like what if 12 Angry Men was about 5 teenagers sitting in detention and forwent any plot or genuine empathy for the characters.

It is hailed as revolutionary for its insight into teenage lives beyond simple stereotypes. Unfortunately, the movie’s premise reinforce stereotypes.

The message couldn’t be more cliché: don’t judge a book by its cover.

Certainly, this message is required in a world that is increasingly lacking empathy and understanding of our differences. But The Breakfast Club defaults into uncomfortable gender dynamics and conformity by the end.

Why does our wacko (and badass) alt girl get a makeover and become the jock’s princess? Is this celebrating our differences or promoting a certain idea of what women ought to be?

And the criminal character is exactly who we expected him to be. He’s rebellious, has little respect for people with a worldview different from his, and doesn’t grow at all throughout the film (except becoming increasingly creepy).

People overly romanticize this film. Maybe it was the first movie of its time to explain why teenagers are the way they are, or give any sembelance of nuance to teenage characters, but that doesn’t excuse its many failures.

1.5/5