Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- rebellious
- electric
- volatile
- music movie night
- retro rock night
What critics said
Critics generally found the film electric and well acted, especially praising its performances and 1970s musical atmosphere while noting that its compressed story leaves the characters and history underwritten.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film condenses The Runaways' formative period into a focused account of Joan Jett, Cherie Currie, and Kim Fowley.
Kim Fowley recruits teenage girls, controls their image, and steers their band toward provocative publicity.
The film captures the band's early place in 1970s Los Angeles rock culture and its breakthrough in Japan.
Joan and Cherie's bond is tested when Cherie becomes the band's publicity focus and struggles with drugs and alcohol.
Films like The Runaways, and why
Control
Shared musical biopic form, troubled young performers, intoxicating fame, and strong female-centered coming-of-age drama.
Velvet Goldmine
Shared rock music setting, volatile artist-manager dynamics, period atmosphere, and performances centered on creative ambition.
Rocksploitation
Shared teen musicianship, outsider identity, rebellious energy, and a female-led music drama about finding a voice.
Movie Details
- Director
- Floria Sigismondi
- Release Date
- 2010-03-19
- Runtime
- 107 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (868)
Cast
- Kristen Stewart
- Dakota Fanning
- Michael Shannon
- Stella Maeve
- Scout Taylor-Compton
- Alia Shawkat
- Riley Keough
- Johnny Lewis
- Tatum O'Neal
- Brett Cullen
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Runaways about?
- A teenage guitarist and her charismatic singer struggle to survive the exploitative machinery of fame after forming a groundbreaking all-girl rock band.
- What is The Runaways like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Runaways as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Runaways violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Runaways as mild.
- What did critics think of The Runaways?
- Critics generally found the film electric and well acted, especially praising its performances and 1970s musical atmosphere while noting that its compressed story leaves the characters and history underwritten.
- Which films are like The Runaways?
- Films with a similar feel include Control, Velvet Goldmine, and Rocksploitation.
- How long is The Runaways?
- The Runaways runs 107 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Runaways?
- In United States, The Runaways is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
