Chrissie Hynde Reveals Why She Finally Agreed to a ‘Pretenders’ Doc — and Why She Won’t Watch It
TIFF 2026: The frontwoman's reluctance to be filmed created a unique challenge for director Joss Crowley The post Chrissie Hynde Reveals Why She Finally Agreed to a ‘Pretenders’ Doc — and Why She Won’t Watch It appeared first on TheWrap .
"Pretenders," the documentary spotlighting the influential rock band led by Chrissie Hynde, debuts at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival. Directed by Joss Crowley, the film delves into the band's rise, peak, and transformation, featuring interviews with Hynde and insights from musicians like Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello, Viv Albertine, Nick Lowe, and Johnny Marr.
Hynde's participation was driven by the need to share her story and revisit underrepresented aspects of the band, particularly the contributions of guitarist James Honeyman-Scott, who tragically passed away at 25 due to cocaine overdose-related heart failure. Hynde, however, remains uninterested in watching the finished product, expressing her reluctance to sit through hours of uninterrupted talking.
Crowley acknowledged the challenge posed by Hynde's aversion to being filmed, opting for audio-only interviews and leveraging limited but crucial archival footage. A pivotal breakthrough occurred when band member Stan Tippins shared previously undisclosed diary entries during a recorded interview, offering a unique behind-the-scenes perspective.
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