Cinematic Addict: *Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story* tells the tale of rock ‘n’ roll’s most uncompromising band

They didn’t conform. They didn’t sell out. And they rocked worth a lot more than a shit—always on their terms. (And if you take offense to this, you never heard their first EP!)

Redd Kross when they were Red Cross, caught live in ‘79 by Al Flipside: (l-r) Greg Hetson on guitar, 15-year-old Jeff McDonald, 11-year-old Steven McDonald and his Chip Kinman/Van Halen-striped Fender Mustang bass. Obscured by Steven’s head: Ron Reyes pounding out his “My Sharona” beat!

“We can’t rock worth shit!” Redd Kross declared in the first notes we ever heard from them, “Cover Band.” Recorded in 1979, when singer/(eventual) guitarist Jeff McDonald was 15, his bassist brother Steven was 11 (and they were still called Red Cross), then released the following year, it established them as the undisputed kings of teenage trash punk.

They were a whirlwind of Dolls/Ramones worship with a love of ‘70s kitsch culture. KISS, the endlessly re-run The Brady Bunch, and their Circus magazine subscription remained sacred, even after they accepted Patti Smith as their Lord and savior. Over the years, their whirlwind expanded to include glam, metal, and psychedelia, always anchored by strong songwriting. That foundation smoothed their evolution into the most superior power-poppers of all time. Seriously, their only peers now are Cheap Trick. Their secret? As Jeff put it in their recent Creem magazine profile, “We try to go where the rock ‘n’ roll is!”

Yes, Redd Kross never quite fit into any one category, making their story infinitely compelling. So it stands to reason that Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story is hardly the typical rockumentary—it celebrates the co-mingling of punk rock, wit, style, and a complete disregard for conformity, even within the supposedly non-conformist punk underground. Directed by Andrew Reich, who made his initial bones as a producer with Friends (which makes total sense in Redd Kross’ universe), this documentary gives us a rare, insider's view into the long and winding journey of a band that truly defined its own path.

From their teenage beginnings in the late ’70s Los Angeles punk scene (coming in from Hawthorne, home of The Beach Boys) to their current cult heroes status, Redd Kross has always stayed ahead of the curve, refusing to be boxed in by genres or trends. Born Innocent nails this essence of their identity, exploring how the McDonalds not only navigated their own musical ambitions but also their sibling relationship, which has been as turbulent as it has been productive.

Most striking is how uncompromising Born Innocent is. The film doesn’t shy away from the dirty details of the band’s history—the struggles, the lineup changes, the moments of self-doubt. It equally does not flinch from darkness, such as Steven’s brief Vegas detour: kidnapped by his older girlfriend, only to return a few months later with a deeper voice and a fresh growth spurt—classic rock ‘n’ roll absurdity! The film places equal weight on the humor, joy, and resilience that kept Redd Kross afloat in an industry that chewed up and spit out so many others. It paints a picture of a band that was always aware of how ridiculous the rock ‘n’ roll machine could be, yet still found ways to embrace it, mock it, and make it their own.

The McDonald brothers’ interview segments are strikingly candid, as they open up about their early days, their creative evolution, and the pressures that came with being a punk band that eventually seemingly wanted to be Mötley Crüe. Again, seemingly—they ended up as much parodying that scene as celebrating it. The film really captures how Redd Kross’ sound and style were never static—they were always growing, always searching for something new to say. It’s a reminder that punk isn’t so much about a sound or a look, but an attitude, a mindset that refuses to stop evolving, at least in rare cases.

Born Innocent also respects Redd Kross’s legacy within the broader contexts of punk and alternarock. The documentary doesn’t try to make them out to be something they’re not, but instead showcases the unique way they straddled the line between punk rock outsiders and respected musicians who could hold their own with the likes of Sonic Youth, Nirvana, and even David Bowie. That kind of balance is rare, highlighting just how much of an influence Redd Kross had on bands that followed.

The joy ultimately permeating the documentary is infectious. This isn’t a tale of bitter rivalry or tragedy, though those elements are part of the story. Instead, it celebrates a band that never stopped being itself, even as the world around them changed. The McDonald brothers’ sense of humor, their quick wit, and their ability to find the absurd in rock ‘n’ roll culture make for some of the most entertaining moments in the film.

That being said, the documentary’s pacing may feel a little uneven at times. It lingers in certain spots that might feel like unnecessary detail if you’re not already familiar with the band’s history. But that’s a minor quibble when you consider how much ground Born Innocent covers. It’s a deeply personal film that resonates most with those who already have a sense of the band’s unique place in rock history, but it’s still accessible to newcomers.

In the end, Born Innocent isn’t just for die-hard Redd Kross fans; it’s for anyone who loves a good rock ‘n’ roll story, one filled with guts, humor, and heart. It captures the essence of a band that shaped alternative music, while also serving as a testament to their staying power. They didn’t conform. They didn’t sell out. And they rocked worth more than a shit—always on their terms.

Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story at a theater near you!

In a move that mirrors Redd Kross’ own unconventional approach, its theatrical release seemingly mirrors a rock band going on a used Econoline van tour of the US. Aside from a one-night-only preview last summer, the final release schedule looks exactly like an indie/punk band’s tour calendar, including premieres tonight in L.A., Denver, and my beloved Austin! Take a look at the itinerary below, and see where/when it’s playing near you:

Jan 9 – Los Angeles, CA – Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Downtown LA*

9 – Austin, TX – Alamo Drafthouse Village

9 – Denver, CO – Alamo Drafthouse Cinema-Sloans Lake

13 – Cincinnati, OH – The Woodward Theater

15-19 – Winnipeg, MB, CANADA – Dave Barber Cinematheque

16 – Long Beach, CA – Art Theatre of Long Beach*

16 – Nashville, TN – Third Man Records

17-20 – Albuquerque, NM – Guild Cinema

23 – Brooklyn, NY – Alamo Drafthouse Downtown Brooklyn

23 – Philadelphia, PA - PhilaMOCA

29 – Arlington, MA – Regent Theatre

Feb 2 – Toronto, ON, CANADA – Hot Docs

3 – Portland, OR – Hollywood Theatre

7 – Hermosa Beach, CA – Saint Rocke (South By South Bay Fest)+

16 – Bloomington, IN – Buskirk-Chumley Theater

*Includes Q&A w/ Redd Kross members Jeff & Steven McDonald, filmmaker Andrew Reich

+Includes live Redd Kross performance

NEXT WEEK: Stanley Booth and Marc Campbell memorials, James Baker Pt. 3, The Saints box set!

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