Mark Hunter, a lonely high school student, uses his shortwave radio to moonlight as the popular pirate DJ "Hard Harry." When his show gets blamed for a teen committing suicide, the students clash with high school faculty and the authorities.
Acting
Slater's whisper-scream delivery invented a whole generation of misfit protagonists.
Writing
The letter readings still punch harder than most prestige TV monologues.
Sound
Leonard Cohen's Everybody Knows over teen suicide is devastatingly perfect.
Director
Allan Moyle
Christian Slater
Mark Hunter
Samantha Mathis
Nora Diniro
Annie Ross
Loretta Creswood
Scott Paulin
Brian Hunter
Mimi Kennedy
Marla Hunter
Andy Romano
Murdock
Cheryl Pollak
Paige Woodward
Jeff Chamberlain
Mr. Woodward
Lala Sloatman
Janie
Holly Sampson
Cheryl Biggs
Seth Green
Joey
Robert Schenkkan
David Deaver
Ellen Greene
Jan Emerson
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This film basically predicted podcasting, anonymous Twitter accounts, and every 'disaffected youth' TikTok algorithm.
The pirate radio equipment was real and functional; Slater actually broadcast during filming, accidentally reaching nearby homes.
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