Is “St. Elmo’s Fire” a sequel to “The Breakfast Club”? This question has sparked debates among movie enthusiasts for years. Both films, released in the 1980s, revolve around the lives of high school students and their struggles with personal issues. However, their connection, if any, is not as straightforward as one might think.
The Breakfast Club, directed by John Hughes, was released in 1985 and revolves around five teenagers from different social backgrounds who are forced to spend a Saturday detention together. The film explores themes of peer pressure, identity, and the struggle to fit in. On the other hand, St. Elmo’s Fire, released in 1985 as well, follows a group of college friends as they navigate their way through the complexities of adulthood and face various challenges, including career choices, love, and personal growth.
While both films share a similar setting of adolescence and young adulthood, they differ significantly in their approach and content. The Breakfast Club focuses on the high school experience, with its focus on cliques and the struggle to break free from societal expectations. St. Elmo’s Fire, on the other hand, delves deeper into the challenges of transitioning from college to the real world, with a focus on the characters’ personal lives and relationships.
Despite these differences, some argue that St. Elmo’s Fire can be considered a sequel to The Breakfast Club. Both films were directed by John Hughes, who was known for his work in the teen genre. Additionally, the films share certain themes, such as the struggle to find one’s identity and the importance of friendship. However, this connection is more thematic rather than narrative, as the characters and storylines are entirely different.
Ultimately, whether St. Elmo’s Fire is a sequel to The Breakfast Club is a matter of personal interpretation. While the films share some thematic similarities and were produced by the same director, they are distinct in their storytelling and content. Both films have left a lasting impact on the teen genre, and their individual contributions to the evolution of this genre should be celebrated separately.
