When The Breakfast Club premiered in 1985, it became a must-watch film for teenagers everywhere. The movie’s portrayal of high school life, its characters, and the struggles they faced made it instantly loved. However, in today’s era of constant remakes and reboots, fans have hoped for a modern version of the film.
Surprisingly, Molly Ringwald, who starred as Claire in the movie, has opposed the idea of a remake. Despite how important the film was in its time, she believes it should not be remade for today’s audience. She has explained that the movie no longer represents the world we live in.
Why Molly Ringwald feels a remake of ‘The Breakfast Club’ won’t work
Molly Ringwald’s main argument is that The Breakfast Club was “very much of its time.” According to her, the film doesn’t reflect the diversity and complexity of today’s world. It featured an all-white cast, avoided topics like gender identity, mental health, and race, and used language and actions that feel uncomfortable in the current era. She also shared that her teenage daughter noticed how poorly her character, Claire, was treated, especially when she got unwanted sexual attention from another student, John Bender. What was once brushed aside as humor now feels inappropriate and disrespectful.
Another reason a remake wouldn’t work is the change in how teenagers communicate. In this age of smartphones, social media, and constant digital connection, the silence and face-to-face vulnerability that made the original film powerful might not work now. It will be difficult for five teens in detention to learn about each other without the distractions of phones and social media. The film’s strength was its focus on the emotional growth that took place in a single afternoon. Today’s audiences, who are used to more flashy, action-packed movies, may not like the film’s slow pace.
Molly Ringwald revealed the pressures of being a child star
The Breakfast Club was a breakthrough film for both John Hughes, its director, and its cast. Together, they brought to life a group of high school students from different social groups, an athlete, a brain, a criminal, a princess, and a basket case who learn to understand each other during a Saturday detention.
Molly Ringwald, who became a major teen idol after starring in several John Hughes films, has become more outspoken about the darker side of fame. She shared how she and her peers were sometimes “taken advantage of” in Hollywood. At the 40th anniversary reunion for The Breakfast Club, she also spoke about the pressures of being a child star and how the film has shaped her career.