Jordan Firstman Grows Up in Club Kid

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I keep replaying moments from Jordan Firstman’s new film, Club Kid, like hazy memories after a wild night. There’s a scene where a group of gay men hype themselves up before going out by reciting Nicki Minaj’s VMA speech—one even describes their drug mix as “a little Charlie, a little Kirk.” Firstman’s character, Peter, a party promoter, claims he only deals drugs “for the safety of my community.” And there’s a funny, sharp observation from one of Peter’s friends about his business partner, Sophie (Cara Delevingne), getting into arguments with young people on Twitter. Club Kid, Firstman’s first time directing, recently premiered at Cannes and is deeply rooted in the vibrant, messy queer nightlife of New York City, from the Lower East Side to Queens. It’s clear Firstman both knows and loves this scene, but also understands how easy it is to get lost in it.

Surprisingly, the most daring part of the movie isn’t the sex, drugs, or witty remarks, but a very familiar plotline – one you’ve likely seen in countless stories and even Adam Sandler films. Just as Peter is struggling with potential substance abuse, he discovers he has a son, Arlo, from a brief relationship ten years prior. After Arlo’s mother passes away, her friend brings him from London to live with Peter, his biological father, escaping an abusive stepfather. Peter is completely unprepared to be a father; the idea of raising a child feels foreign to him. The fact that this predictable storyline is actually moving and heartfelt is a credit to the sincerity of the film’s approach. Reggie Absolom, as Arlo, is incredibly endearing with his serious expression and unique haircut, managing to be both sweet and subtly humorous, hinting at a hidden temper. Firstman, the actor playing Peter, is also charming, willingly sharing the spotlight with his fellow actors and convincingly portraying Peter’s immaturity. He even delivers a vulnerable line – “Don’t yell at me, just help me” – after showing up to a meeting still under the influence.

Though Firstman has acted in projects like the series I Love LA and Sebastián Silva’s Rotting in the Sun, he’s primarily known for his work online. He often explores themes of white gay male identity, walking a fine line between being provocative and self-deprecating, much like Lena Dunham. Because of this, the surprisingly tender heart of his new film, Club Kid, is a bit unexpected, though even more striking is its visual flair. The film opens with a captivating long shot: a rideshare driver picks up Peter and his five glitter-covered friends, who are singing and hanging out of the car windows as the camera circles around them. Club Kid is genuinely funny, with clever writing, but it’s also visually dynamic, proving Firstman wasn’t just focused on punchlines. Scenes like an afternoon walk with Oscar (Diego Calva), who goes from being Peter’s social worker to his love interest, are beautifully lit, while a nightclub encounter descends into a hazy, dreamlike sequence. Though Club Kid doesn’t currently have distribution, it feels like a natural fit for A24—a commercially appealing art film with a surprisingly emotional core.

The film’s main weakness lies in its portrayal of Peter, who feels less developed the more the movie attempts to reveal his inner life. The director excels at creating believable, well-rounded supporting characters – Arlo’s musical tastes and insightful understanding of his mother, Devon’s practicality and surprising confession, and Nicky’s witty and open personality all feel genuine. However, despite these detailed characterizations, Peter remains somewhat undefined. His trauma is presented vaguely, making even him hesitant to discuss it, and his admission of low self-esteem feels like an afterthought meant to explain his behavior, rather than the root cause of it.

It’s unclear whether Firstman’s character feels forced to constantly explain his flaws, or if he simply struggles to show genuine warmth. Right now, Peter seems more authentic enjoying a night out with friends than he does delivering heartfelt speeches about fatherhood – it’s as if Firstman is skilled at avoiding typical tropes, except when it comes to portraying himself.

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2026-05-15 18:00