Adam Afterman

The 2018 American documentary film "Bad Reputation" chronicles the significant career of rock musician Joan Jett. Directed by Kevin Kerslake and written by Joel Marcus, the film delves into Jett's musical journey, starting with the formation of her early band, The Runaways. It continues to explore her influential collaboration with songwriter and producer Kenny Laguna.

The documentary further examines the establishment of her band, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, alongside Laguna, and the creation of their independent record label, Blackheart Records. The narrative culminates with the recognition of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts through their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015. A companion soundtrack featuring 17 tracks from across Jett's career was released concurrently with the film.

The documentary "Bad Reputation" premiered globally at the Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2018, before its general theatrical release on September 28, 2018. Upon its release, the film garnered generally favorable reviews. Aggregator Rotten Tomatoes awarded it an approval rating of 79% based on 38 reviews, with an average score of 6.4/10. The critical consensus noted it as a solidly entertaining overview of Joan Jett's career, though some viewers desired a more in-depth exploration. Metacritic assigned the film a score of 66 out of 100, based on 15 reviews, also indicating a positive reception.