Andrew McCarthy, director of the new documentary Brats, shares his personal reflections on the iconic 1980s “Brat Pack” era in an exclusive interview with Gold Derby. Turning 60 recently, McCarthy admits that his perspective on life and the experiences of the Brat Pack members has evolved significantly over time.
For the first time in decades, McCarthy reunites with fellow Brat Pack stars including Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, Ally Sheedy, as well as other notable actors from the era like Jon Cryer, Timothy Hutton, and Lea Thompson. Together, they explore their rise to fame in the 1980s and how the label “Brat Pack,” coined by journalist David Blum in New York Magazine, shaped their careers.
McCarthy explains that the documentary focuses less on the Brat Pack label itself and more on how life’s meanings and perspectives change with age. “When I was 22, we all hated the term,” he admits. “It felt stigmatizing and limiting. Over time, it transformed into a soft, affectionate nickname. I realized it was actually one of the greatest professional blessings of my life.”
One of the biggest surprises during filming was the deep affection and camaraderie that now exists among the actors, a stark contrast to their competitive and fearful youth. “We were scared and competitive back then, but now, decades later, that doesn’t matter. We share a unique bond just by looking at each other.”
McCarthy’s aim was to give audiences an insider’s perspective on the Brat Pack experience, encouraging viewers to relate it to their own groups or life moments. “I wanted the film to be a subjective, open experience where people can nod and say, ‘I get that feeling,’” he says.
Despite the passage of time, McCarthy believes the core personalities of the Brat Pack have remained authentic. “They’re just more themselves now,” he jokes. He highlights Rob Lowe’s early recognition of the group’s cultural significance, explaining how the actors became “avatars of youth” for a generation.
Demi Moore was the first to join the documentary project, making her participation straightforward. McCarthy notes that some members, like Molly Ringwald and Judd Nelson, chose not to participate, highlighting that the film still served as a “proof of concept” for how deeply the Brat Pack identity impacted their lives.
With renewed interest in Brat Pack reunions and Hollywood reboots, McCarthy teased the possibility of revisiting St. Elmo’s Fire, joking, “There’s been talk about picking up the characters before we all die.”
Brats is now available for streaming on Hulu and Disney+.
