Jordan Firstman’s debut feature film “Club Kid” presents a raw and nuanced portrayal of millennial nightlife in New York City, blending humor, emotion, and artful storytelling. Written, directed by, and starring Firstman, the film follows Peter, a 30-something party promoter caught in a cycle of indulgence and chaos, whose life takes an unexpected turn when he discovers he has a 10-year-old son.
Set in 2016 and spanning a decade, “Club Kid” opens with Peter launching Club Labor, an energetic weekly party in Brooklyn alongside his friend Sophie, played by Cara Delevingne. The early sequences depict a raw and uninhibited world, marked by heavy drug use and fleeting relationships, reflective of the hedonistic millennial club scene. Peter’s life of excess continues, but as the years progress, his youthful energy wanes and is replaced by sadness and desperation.
The catalyst for change arrives when a woman arrives at Peter’s door with Arlo, a young boy from London portrayed by Reggie Absolom, revealing that Peter is suddenly responsible for a child following the death of Arlo’s mother, a British tourist with whom Peter had a brief relationship. This unexpected parenthood forces Peter to confront his own stagnation and emotional vulnerability.
Absolom’s performance as Arlo has been highlighted as a pivotal element in the film’s impact, with the young actor’s subtle yet powerful portrayal grounding the story and preventing it from becoming overly sentimental. The dynamic between Peter and Arlo offers moments of quiet intimacy amid the surrounding chaos, inviting reflection on themes of growth, responsibility, and connection.
“Club Kid” premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and has drawn attention at the Toronto International Film Festival, earning praise for its blend of artful filmmaking and emotional depth. While some early reactions compared the film to a queer version of the 1999 comedy “Big Daddy” due to its premise of an unlikely caretaker and child, critics note that the similarities largely end there. Instead, the film serves as a portrait of a generation grappling with uncertainty, lost ambition, and the struggle to find meaning.
By capturing the specific atmosphere of Brooklyn nightlife alongside a broader exploration of millennial malaise, “Club Kid” delivers a unique, deeply personal narrative, balancing its humor with moments of profound sadness. The film showcases Firstman’s distinctive voice and signals his arrival as a noteworthy new filmmaker, offering a story that resonates far beyond its party-filled setting.