Post-Detention: What Happens on Monday?

I love revisiting one of my favorite 80s teen movie occasionally, The Breakfast Club. I watched at a young age, and just like any teenage movie, I was hooked. Watching from the mindset of a kid to an adult, so many things resonate with me even more and stick out that I never caught on to before. One of the main questions unanswered to this day is: What Happens on Monday?

I admire John Hughes leaving us with the ambiguous, open-ended closing of the 5 characters leaving the viewers to create their own endings by the time the credits are rolling. Although we can assume what really happened on Monday, there are so many theories circulating in my mind that I had to write about it.

By the end of the movie, we see they all obviously go their separate ways as we assume they would never talk to each other again. Although they were five different individuals portraying five different high school stereotypes, they surprisingly had a lot in common and connected with each other on levels that weren't expected. Furthermore, that Saturday detention was well spent because they were able to see themselves as more than a typical high school label, or how others see them.

That one Saturday of connecting over mutual experiences changed the way they see themselves, each other, and their peers. Even the iconic score, 'Don’t You (Forget About Me)' by Simple Minds, fits perfectly.

Here’s my analyzed theory of what we already know, what happens on Monday, and where each character ends up post-Shermer High.

Allison

When we’re introduced to Allison, she is the “Basket Case” in Brian’s essay. She’s the introverted and quiet, grungy girl in school. Her home life is “unsatisfying” because her parents ignore her, and often have thoughts of running away. She also has a habit of compulsive lying and kleptomania. By the end of the movie, we learn she is in detention for doing absolutely nothing because “she had nothing better to do.” Once Claire gives her a little makeover, she looks like a different person, captivating Andrew. When we first meet her, Allison looks so covered using her dark makeup and clothing as a barrier, and this new makeover allows people to truly see her. Her connection with Andrew definitely gives me so much hope that they end up together. On Monday, she keeps to herself but somewhat turns heads because of her updated look, having students assume she’s new in school. I definitely see her and Brian becoming friends, her and Claire would definitely not be friends, and her and John are a slim 50/50. But I can also honestly see maybe a friendship trio with Allison, Brian and John forming. Allison and Andrew are endgame! Period! They may not date until their last year of high school, but they make it from that point on until college and so forth. They bring out the best in each other, their connection is undeniable, and opposites attract. I see them both opening each other's eyes to new experiences, challenges, and Andrew would be the one to break her from that enclosed shell just a bit. I also see Allison attempting to run away from home, alarming her parents but she returns and they work on their relationship as a family. They listen to her and learn to not neglect her because of who she is. Post high school, she and Andrew go to college together, and she majors in Art. I mean we got a glimpse of her quirky skills in detention, so why not! Andrew

When we’re introduced to Andrew, he is “the Athlete” in Brian’s essay. A varsity wrestler in detention for a prank gone horribly wrong hoping to win his father’s approval. We already get a glimpse of this father-son relationship as Andrew is often pressured by his dad to win and be the best, and nothing less. Just like everyone else in the group, he opens up about his personal life. We learn his dad is emotionally abusive towards him, and he hopes for an injury relieving the pressure he has endures on a daily basis. He has a strong connection with Allison who shares similarities of also being ignored at home, and she even calls him out on not being able to think for himself - which he acknowledges. By the end of the movie, they share a kiss and go their separate ways. Monday is like no other day for Andrew - he clearly hangs out with his group of friends who are most likely from the Wrestling team. Although he cares what his friends may have to say if being seen with Allison, he can’t help that he’s attracted to her. They share a connection and like I said - opposites attract. They start to sneak around at first, until Allison gets tired of being a secret feeling like he’s ashamed or embarrassed to be seen with her, and she calls it quits. Eventually they reconcile and go public during their senior year, turning heads in school. Of course his friends have something to say, but Andrew learns to find his voice and hold his own ground. They eventually come around and accept Allison, despite being different from others. He even stands up to his dad and walks away from wrestling. He comes to terms with not trying to live the rest of his life pleasing his father based on his demands. He goes to college with Allison, majoring in Kinesiology, and their relationship continues to grow and blossom, just as they do as individuals. Like I said - Endgame!

Brian

When we’re introduced to Brian, he is “the Brain'' in his essay. I also love how Brian is an anagram for ‘Brain’ by the way! He is in detention due to bringing a flare gun to school, and it going off in his locker. We see his mom lecturing him that he needs to “figure out a way to study” so he can stay focused on his grades to prevent this from happening again. Throughout the film, the group observes Brian as nerdy, straight-edge, and smart, and eventually ignores the branded labels placed upon him. John even teases him for being a nerd and a virgin, although Claire admits “it’s okay for a guy to be a virgin.” I enjoyed watching how Brian loosens up in detention when he joins John, Claire, and Andrew in smoking marijuana, by letting go of trying to be the perfect student all the time. Just like the rest of the group, we also learn he has a poor relationship with his parents. He feels the pressure to succeed and get good grades, and once he gets an F, it’s unacceptable. John even tells him he’s a “genius” because he can’t make a lamp in Shop class. Once he admits to contemplating suicide and reveals he brought a flare gun to school, the group actually finds humor in it because most likely they’re expecting him to say he brought an actual handgun to school. By the end of the movie Brian ends up writing the essay Principal Vernon requested for them each to write about who they think they are, but he writes one collectively for everyone. His essay implies that Vernon has already judged each of them for who they are based on their appearance, friends, and background. So there’s no need to know, since he’s already decided. Once they part ways and Monday arrives, Brian resumes to focusing on his studies, yet begins opening up to his parents about the pressure he feels to be the best and his emotional damage. Successfully, he works to raise his grade in Shop class with the unexpected help of John who also takes the class. They surprisingly become great friends and help bring out the best in each other, from what the other lacks a bit. Brian begins tutoring John to help raise his grades and get him into a decent college, while keeping him out of trouble. John helps Brian loosen up a bit by introducing him to parties, teaching him how to defend himself, and helping him talk to girls. Brian helps John out of his situation from his abusive household, asking his parents if John could temporarily live with them. Brian graduates as a straight A student, not aiming for Valedictorian, and ends up at an excellent university studying Business or Computer Science. He mostly stays close friends with John and Allison. He doesn’t talk to Claire at all, and he’s cool with Andrew since he’s dating Allison, so they’re bound to see each other. He meets his first girlfriend in college using the helpful tips from John, while still being himself. College is definitely a fresh start where not everyone sees him as a type A bookworm. He balances his studies very well, but he doesn’t feel that intense pressure or necessity to be the best anymore.

Claire

When we’re introduced to Claire, she is the “Princess” in Brian’s essay. She is clearly popular and highly entitled. We see her dad “reprimanding” her about skipping school just to go shopping, which is why she’s in detention. It seems there’s no other real consequences coming for Claire due to her actions, and her dad just happens to let it slide. Throughout the day, she feels Saturday detention is a place where she doesn’t belong believing the others are beneath her. She is harassed by John most of the time, and we also learn she is a virgin, and has a poor relationship with parents as well due to them using her as their own personal weapon when they constantly fight. She shares her desire to go live with her brother because she feels he is the only one who truly cares about her. She learns to break her “pristine” and snobbish demeanor by smoking marijuana, kissing John, and even being nice to Allison giving her a makeover. When Brian asks if they would still be friends on Monday, since he considers them his friends now, she honestly and coldly shares that she wouldn’t be friends with any of them. John ridicules her, calling Claire a “bitch” because she admitted she would reject Allison in front of her friends if she came up to them, while Brian expresses she’s “so full of herself.” She openly admits she hates being subjected to intense peer pressure and not forming her own opinions different from what her friends say and think. When they go their separate ways and Monday comes, Claire resumes hanging out with her popular clique, and has some run-ins with Andrew at parties and other high school functions since they associate in similar groups. She does begin a brief secret relationship with John, mainly to piss off her parents, although John doesn’t care. Their relationship is mainly physical and she even loses her virginity to him - by her choice and not peer pressure. She eventually ends things and they both find some common ground, although there is no guarantee they would ever cross paths again. She graduates from Shermer High and ends up moving to New York City, where her brother lives, getting away from her parents who are now divorced. She begins to really find herself in college, and learned before graduating high school to stop caring so much about what people think. She shies away from being a snob, focuses on her studies majoring in Fashion Design, and even joins a sorority, where she’s surrounded by different types of young women. She learns to not allow labels and popularity define her as a person, and is also more accepting and open to befriending people different from her.

John

When we’re introduced to John, often referred to as Bender, he is “the Criminal” in Brian’s essay. He is clearly a rebel, insecure, and rough around the edges who primarily pushes all of Vernon’s buttons. He is in Saturday detention due to pulling a false fire alarm, and later is booked with an additional 8 weeks of detention after verbally arguing with Vernon. He spends the majority of detention harassing Claire, Brian, and Andrew, as we learn his aggression stems from being abused at home. Everyone clearly looks at him as problematic and a troublemaker, but just like them, he too has problems with his parents. His father is physically and verbally abusive, and when sharing this Andrew calls his bluff, but he shows them a burn mark on his arm as physical evidence. Claire also calls him out as being scared and a "coward" when he talks down about them being in academic and social clubs, while Andrew adds that no one would even accept him. Near the end of detention, Claire kisses him in the closet and outside before they part ways, and she gives him one of her diamond earrings. Once Monday arrives, he resumes hanging out with his group of friends and occasionally sees everyone from detention in the halls from time to time. He becomes good friends Brian, who John ends up assisting in Shop class, since he’s actually acing the course. He and Brian form a brotherly friendship where they bring out the best in one another. He gets tutoring help from Brian so he can do better in school, graduate, and possibly go to college to get away from his abusive father. He also decides to temporarily live with Brian, which his parents were hesitant about at first when Brian proposed the idea. Brian shares with his parents about John’s home life, and they agree to take him in. He also forms a healthy relationship with Brian’s parents, appreciative of living in a healthy household because it’s like the home and family he never had. Their friendship creates a positive change in John wanting to do better and not live up to the stereotype he’s viewed as constantly. He also mentors Brian in loosening up a lot more, relieving that pressure his parents put on him. He gives him tips on girls, teaches him how to defend himself, and introduces him to the party scene from time to time. He also begins a brief relationship with Claire. Although it’s physical and a tactic to help piss off her parents, his attraction to her is very genuine. She eventually loses her virginity to him, and he confides in Brian about it. Although their relationship runs its course, he ends up graduating, shocking Vernon, and enrolls in community college. He later transfers to a university studying Engineering. He starts to take life more seriously realizing he doesn’t want to end up like his parents, and even enters a healthy relationship with someone who has a similar upbringing, as they too bring out the best in each other.