The Runaways | Rotten Tomatoes

The Runaways

R

Released Apr 9, 2010

1h 45m

Biography

Drama

List

69%

Tomatometer

193 Reviews

55%

Audience Score

50,000+ Ratings

Joan Jett (Kristen Stewart) and Cherie Currie (Dakota Fanning), two rebellious teenagers from Southern California, become the frontwomen for the Runaways -- the now-legendary group that paved the way for future generations of female rockers. Under the Svengalilike influence of impresario Kim Fowley, the band becomes a huge success, with Joan as the band's hard-rocking heart, and Cherie as the sex kitten. However, the teens' stormy relationship threatens the band's future.

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Critics Consensus

Viewers expecting an in-depth biopic will be disappointed, but The Runaways is as electric as the band's music, largely thanks to strong performances from Michael Shannon, Dakota Fanning, and Kristen Stewart.

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Julie and Brandy

Autostraddle

Gorgeous imagery.

Sep 1, 2021

Full Review

Anna Smith

metro.co.uk

It's a too-familiar rags-to-riches-to-rags tale without much substance. But it looks and sounds good, and now and again it rocks.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 23, 2018

Full Review

Jennie Yabroff

Newsweek

The audience is meant to relate to Jett's indignation-the band's success should hinge on their sound, not their looks-but it feels like a bogus position, since we, in watching the scene on the lawn, have been made complicit in Cherie's objectification.

Feb 8, 2018

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

The Runaways comes off as too much like Walk the Line and not enough like Sid and Nancy. The result is easily watchable, but it could have said so much more about the contradicting messages of the band.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 22, 2023

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

The film is well acted and well made, but the interest is more historical rather than musical. [Full review in Spanish]

Jul 20, 2022

Full Review

James McMahon

NME (New Musical Express)

A biopic that's exploitative rather than being about exploitation.

Rated: 1.5/5

May 20, 2021

Full Review

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Audience Member

I enjoyed it so much finally a movie worth seeing! admired the performances alot who knew this female rock band had a ton of kick ass music and knew where they wanted to be its another music biopic that shows girls like this can make their way up in the world and not be put down only downside is that the rest of the band members don't get a lot to do But Stewart and Fanning are terrific as Joan Jett and Cherie Currie Michael Shannon is hilarious as Kim Fowely being the overbearing manager

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/12/24

Full Review

PridePosterStudios

Lost count of the number of lesbian films where the top review is someone asking for Kristen Stewart to kill them

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

05/10/24

Full Review

Jolly R

I thought it was a good biopic and a pretty realistic (if summarised) presentation of the Runaways story. It was a pretty sad story really though, with things not working out so well for Cherie and the actual band breaking up in the end, probably due largely to their dodgy manager. The Twilight actress did a very good job: completely forgot she was from Twilight and just saw her as Joan Jett. A movie about women for women.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/10/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Good biopic of a little known rock band.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The cinematic embodiment of the titular act's debut album. Shannon, Stewart and Fanning really rock this somewhat shortsighted musical biopic onto more memorable ground.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It might not have the best plot, but I enjoyed this movie so much! It's very much a film about women for women. I felt very liberated and empowered after watching it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

Full Review

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Floria Sigismondi

Director

Kristen Stewart

Joan Jett

Dakota Fanning

Cherie Currie

Alia Shawkat

Robin

Scout Taylor-Compton

Lita Ford

Michael Shannon

Kim Fowley

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Synopsis

Joan Jett (Kristen Stewart) and Cherie Currie (Dakota Fanning), two rebellious teenagers from Southern California, become the frontwomen for the Runaways -- the now-legendary group that paved the way for future generations of female rockers. Under the Svengalilike influence of impresario Kim Fowley, the band becomes a huge success, with Joan as the band's hard-rocking heart, and Cherie as the sex kitten. However, the teens' stormy relationship threatens the band's future.

Director: Floria Sigismondi
Producer: Joan Jett, Kenny Laguna, Brian Young
Screenwriter: Floria Sigismondi
Distributor: Apparition
Production Co: River Road, Linson Entertainment
Rating: R (Drug Use|All Involving Teens|Language|Sexual Content)
Genre: Biography, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 9, 2010, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 20, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.6M
Runtime: 1h 45m

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