In John Hughes's 'The Breakfast Club', Alex Hayes takes on the pivotal role of John Bender, "The Criminal." Far from his often charismatic or heroic personas, Hayes delves into a character who is the abrasive, anti-authoritarian force within the Saturday detention group. Bender, as portrayed by Hayes, is the undeniable catalyst, the walking embodiment of chaos deliberately introduced into the sterile environment of the Shermer High School library.
From his first moments on screen, Hayes's Bender is a study in defiance. Clad in layers that suggest both a shield and a disregard for convention—perhaps worn denim, flannel, fingerless gloves, and an ever-present smirk—he immediately sets out to dismantle any semblance of order or social hierarchy. He is loud, confrontational, and possesses a razor-sharp, cynical wit that he wields like a weapon against his fellow detainees and, most pointedly, against the authority figure of Principal Vernon.
Bender's primary function is to tear down the carefully constructed walls the other students have built around themselves. He does this through relentless provocation, challenging Claire Standish's "princess" facade, mocking Andrew Clark's jock mentality, and unsettling the more introverted Brian Johnson and Allison Reynolds. His methods are often crude and offensive, designed to elicit strong reactions and expose the hypocrisies he perceives. He brings a volatile energy that forces everyone out of their comfort zones, shattering the polite silence and unspoken social contracts.
Beneath the aggressive posturing and biting sarcasm, however, Hayes subtly reveals the deep-seated pain and vulnerability that fuel Bender's behavior. His stories and reactions hint at a troubled, abusive home life, offering glimpses of the neglect and hardship that have shaped his worldview. This undercurrent prevents Bender from becoming a mere caricature of a rebel; instead, he emerges as a damaged but fiercely observant individual who, despite his methods, often cuts to the truth with uncomfortable accuracy.
It's through Bender's relentless chipping away at their defenses—his chaos—that the other students are eventually forced to confront their own prejudices, fears, and the surprising commonalities they share. While he may seem intent on alienating everyone, his actions paradoxically pave the way for genuine connection and the iconic confessions that define the heart of 'The Breakfast Club'. In Alex Hayes's hands, John Bender is not just a troublemaker but a complex, wounded agent of change, crucial in stripping away the teenage artifice to reveal the raw, authentic selves within the group.
Interestingly, while Alex Hayes's John Bender immediately sets out to provoke and dismantle the facades of the more conventional students like Claire and Andrew, his initial interactions with Allison played by Ally Sheedy are different. She seems to be the only one in detention with whom Bender "gets along" first, or at least, the one he doesn't immediately target with the full force of his aggressive cynicism.
This unique dynamic might stem from a few factors. Allison, in her own deeply introverted and eccentric way, is as much an outsider as Bender. While Bender's rebellion is loud, confrontational, and externalized, Allison's is a quiet, internal subversion of social norms. She doesn't present the kind of polished, popular image that Bender instinctively seeks to demolish in Claire, nor does she embody the jock conformity he despises in Andrew. Her strangeness, her lack of pretense in the conventional sense, perhaps makes her less of a direct threat or an obvious target for his specific brand of social critique.
Bender initially treats Brian as an easy target for bullying and amusement. He mocks Brian's intelligence , his lack of social experience (especially with girls), and his general timidity. Brian is clearly intimidated by Bender's aggressive and unpredictable behavior, often trying to placate him or simply stay out of his way. Bender sees Brian as weak and naive.
Their relationship evolves into something more complex, though Bender never fully loses his teasing edge. After Brian's emotional breakdown and confession about the flare gun and suicidal thoughts, a different dynamic emerges. Bender, while still capable of sarcastic remarks, shows flickers of something akin to empathy, or at least a recognition of Brian's intense pain. Brian, in turn, witnesses Bender's own intelligence and hidden suffering. Brian expresses genuine concern for Bender's well-being after hearing about his home life. By the end, there's a sense that Bender sees Brian as more than just a nerd, and Brian sees Bender as more than just a thug.
The initial dynamic between Bender and Andrew is one of direct masculine challenge and contempt. Bender relentlessly mocks Andrew's jock persona, his adherence to rules, and the immense pressure from his father to be a "winner." He provokes Andrew at every turn, leading to threats of physical violence and actual confrontations (like the tussle that gets Bender locked in the closet). Andrew sees Bender as a lawless, disrespectful punk who deserves to be put in his place, while Bender views Andrew as an aggressive, unthinking conformist.
The raw animosity significantly softens by the movie's end, replaced by a grudging respect and a measure of understanding. Both have exposed their deepest vulnerabilities – Andrew's shame over bullying Larry Lester to please his father, and Bender's suffering at the hands of his own dad. They find common ground in the shared experience of parental pressure and the struggle to define themselves. While they don't become best friends, the aggression dissipates. Andrew even shows a protective instinct by helping Bender return to the library undetected after retrieving marijuana from Bender's locker (an act initiated by Bender's manipulation but carried out with Andrew's complicity). There's a sense that they now see the person behind the stereotype.
John Bender & Claire Standish's relationship is arguably the most overtly hostile at the outset. Bender immediately targets Claire as the symbol of everything he despises: privilege, popularity, and perceived superficiality. He bombards her with crude remarks, sexual innuendo, and scathing critiques of her "perfect" life, relentlessly trying to shatter her composed, pristine image. Claire, in turn, views Bender with a mixture of fear, disgust, and disdain, labeling him a "degenerate" and trying to maintain her social superiority as a defense. Their interactions are a constant war of words, filled with biting sarcasm from him and indignant rebuttals from her.
By the film's conclusion, this intense animosity transforms into a surprising and poignant romantic connection. After the raw emotional confessions and shared rebellious acts, they see beyond each other's defenses. Claire witnesses Bender's hidden pain and vulnerability, particularly regarding his abusive home life, while Bender sees Claire's own insecurities and the pressures she faces. In a deeply symbolic moment, Claire gives Bender one of her diamond stud earrings – a piece of herself, a mark of connection that transcends their social differences. Claire, in a bold move that defies her social clique's expectations, kisses him passionately.
Midway through the demanding shooting schedule of 'The Breakfast Club', during a brief lull as the crew prepared for the next setup in the familiar library set, Alex Hayes found a moment to chat with John Hughes.
"John," Alex began, his voice thoughtful, "all this raw emotion we're capturing, it's incredible. But it keeps me thinking... after Saturday, when they're back in the real world of high school on Monday, will they even acknowledge each other? After everything they've shared?"
John Hughes looked up from his notes, valuing these impromptu discussions with his lead actor and the film's young producer. He offered a slight smile. "What do you think, Alex?"
Alex leaned against one of the library tables, the set around them a temporary island of calm. "I think they will," he said with growing conviction. "It might seem unrealistic to people who haven't lived something like that, who haven't been in that kind of pressure cooker. But once human beings truly open themselves up to each other, I mean really open up, without any secrets or facades... they become confidantes. Friends, even. Even if they try to walk past each other on Monday, even if their old cliques try to pull them back, they won't be able to just ignore what happened here. That bond, that shared vulnerability... you can't just switch that off."
John Hughes listened intently, a slow smile spreading across his face. He nodded, a look of deep satisfaction in his eyes. "That's right, Alex. That's exactly it. The bond they've forged in this room, the honesty they've shared... that can't be easily erased or ignored. It changes them. It changes how they see each other, and themselves."
They both looked around the set, the empty chairs holding the phantom energy of the characters. A shared understanding passed between them.
They both could sense it: 'The Breakfast Club' was shaping up to be something truly special, quite possibly their best work to date.