Jordan Firstman’s directorial debut, Club Kid, is a gentle family drama presented in the style of a sleazy New York indie. The film, which received a limited theatrical release on November 6, has been described as one of the year’s most self-assured gems.
Set against the backdrop of New York’s vibrant queer underground, the story centers on Peter Green, a washed-up gay Jewish club promoter at a personal and professional low point. His life takes an unexpected turn when he discovers he has a ten-year-old son, Arlo, whose mother has recently died. Despite the somber premise, Club Kid is infused with lurid, self-effacing comedy rooted in its characters and community. Peter takes in Nicky, a gay Azerbaijani teen and aspiring philosopher, despite his own financial struggles. He is also supported by his former business partner, Sophie (Cara Delevingne), his supportive ex-boyfriend, Devon (Nigil Whyte), and his trans DJ friend, Saffron (Saturn Risin9), among other characters introduced a decade prior.
The film opens ten years in the past, evoking the atmosphere of William Friedkin’s Cruising. Shot on 35mm, Club Kid recreates the hazy celluloid aesthetic of the 1970s and 80s New York City with a contemporary, upbeat sensibility. It blends queer culture's past and present through a hedonistic underground rave organized by Peter.
The narrative jumps forward to the present day when Arlo arrives. Peter, now in his thirties and struggling with continued drug problems and arrested development, faces professional fallout with Sophie just as he must confront fatherhood. The polite ten-year-old Arlo appears more prepared for the role, masking his grief behind a determined facade.
As Arlo becomes more integrated into Peter's life, the worlds of found family and the responsibilities of blood relation begin to collide. Peter is compelled to get his life in order, but the allure of the party and his desire to be at its center prove magnetic. Arlo, a musically talented child, even begins DJing alongside Saffron.
Club Kid is noted for its absurd humor and its embrace of postmodern, internet-meme-as-camp-culture queerness, which is increasingly popular in online spaces and shows like Drag Race, while maintaining authenticity. The film's organic aesthetic is enhanced by Adam Newport-Berra's fluid, handheld cinematography, which creates an intimate feel for scenes with overlapping dialogue. The naturalistic performances from Firstman as Peter and Reggie Absolom as Arlo contribute significantly to the film's success, creating a comedic dynamic through their mismatch in energy and expectations, subverting traditional family dynamics.
As Peter and Arlo get to know each other, their growing care for one another draws the viewer in. Long-suppressed emotions are gradually revealed through their conversations and disagreements, as well as Arlo’s sessions with child therapist Oscar (Diego Calva). The narrative introduces legal complications surrounding Arlo's cross-border adoption, adding a layer of tension that shifts the film from its sweet, taboo humor towards a more pronounced emotional build-up.
The film is described as unique, good-natured, and charming, wearing its heart on its sleeve and exploring a lifetime of love and heartache within its two-hour runtime. The verdict highlights Club Kid as a poignant drama that is unexpectedly fun, following Peter as he navigates community, parenthood, and self-help.