Joan Jett film Bad Reputation set for September release

(Image credit: Dia Dipasupil - Getty)

The documentary focusing on Joan Jett's life and career titled Bad Reputation will be released in cinemas from September 28.

The Kevin Kerslake-directed film premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and charts Jett’s career and rise to stardom and features interviews with artists including Debbie Harry, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong, Iggy Pop and Pete Townshend, along with a wealth of archive footage.

The synopsis reads: “Joan Jett became mega-famous from the no.1 hit I Love Rock N Roll, but that’s only part of the story. 

“That fame intensified with the music video’s endless play on MTV, world tours and many hits to follow like I Hate Myself For Loving You, but that staple of popularity can’t properly define a musician. 

“Jett put her hard work in long before the fame, ripping it up onstage as the backbone of the hard-rock legends The Runaways, starting her record label out of the trunk of a car after being rejected by 23 labels, and influencing many musicians – both her cohort of punk rockers and generations of younger bands – with her no-bullshit style. 

Bad Reputation gives you a wild ride as Jett and her close friends tell you how it really was in the burgeoning 70s punk scene and the rocky road to rock stardom decades on. 

“Their interviews are laced with amazing archival footage. The theme is clear: Even though people tried to define Jett, she never compromised. She will kick your ass, and you’ll love her all the more for it.”

Bad Reputation was written by Joel Marcus and produced by Peter Afterman and Carianne Brinkman. Watch a trailer for the film below.

Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent 35 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott keeps Louder’s buyer’s guides up to date, writes about the best deals for music fans, keeps on top of the latest tech releases and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 10 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald newspapers, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.