The Runaways, also known as Neon Angels, is a poignant adaptation of lead singer Cherie Currie's memoir, Neon Angel, which not only chronicles her journey as a rock star but also delivers a powerful anti-drug message aimed at teens and adults alike. The narrative is beautifully underscored by David Bowie's classic track, Space Oddity, symbolizing a countdown to fame, followed by the bleak realities of alienation and burnout—an odyssey that feels like a long way from home.
Set in 1975, the film introduces us to 15-year-old Cherie (played by Dakota Fanning) and her older sister, Marie Currie (Riley Keough). The story begins with Cherie experiencing a significant rite of passage as she just got her first period. The sisters are picked up by Marie's boyfriend, Derek (Brendan Sexton III), after her shift at the local fast-food diner, Pup n' Fries. Annoyed at her sister's revelation, Cherie retaliates by revealing a little secret of her own about Marie not wearing any underwear. Demonstrating her desire for change, Cherie later cuts her hair into a shag and makes a bold choice to emulate David Bowie's iconic look from his album Aladdin Sane, as seen on her wall.
Meanwhile, we meet Joan Jett (played by Kristen Stewart), a teenage dreamer desperate to escape her lonely life by becoming a rock star. Joan is seen indulging in the carefree joys of youth, partaking in some recreational activities with her girlfriend. With ambitions of rock stardom, she lip-syncs to Bowie’s Lady Grinning Soul at her high school talent show, facing jeers from the crowd but showing resilience by defiantly flipping them off, ultimately clinching a win.
As fate would have it, Joan encounters record producer Kim Fowley (played by Michael Shannon) outside a nightclub and pitches the idea of forming an all-girl rock band. Intrigued, Kim introduces Joan to drummer Sandy West (Stella Maeve), and together they embark on a search for their lead singer—someone who captures the allure of the famous Brigitte Bardot. It isn’t long before they discover Cherie. After an initial audition where Cherie falters, Kim challenges her to improve, leading to the creation of the catchy anthem Cherry Bomb, securing her place in the band.
The dynamic shifts as they form The Runaways and hit the road, grappling with the pressures and excesses of fame. Joy turns to despair as both Cherie and Joan dive deep into a world of drugs and alcohol, the promise of rock and roll fame becoming a slippery slope. Their journey takes them to Japan, where Cherie's provocative stage presence in a corset causes a stir, contrasting sharply with personal troubles back home.
As Cherie’s life spirals—marked by confrontations with bandmates and an overdose incident—she ultimately faces the emotional turmoil of quitting the band. While Joan continues to strive for success with her own venture, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Cherie finds herself at rock bottom, before seeking help in rehab.
In a heartwarming conclusion set three years later, Cherie is seen rebuilding her life, working at a bakery when she hears Joan's hit cover of I Love Rock 'n' Roll on the radio. In a moment of nostalgia, she connects with Joan over the phone, leading to bittersweet goodbyes as she embraces this new chapter, joyfully listening to Joan's music as her future begins to look brighter.
