Jordan Firstman is on our radar, bringing a blast of fresh air to the scene with his exuberant directorial debut, Club Kid, a film that masterfully balances broad comedy and touching earnestness, making it a hell of a good time. Firstman, a multihyphenate who has helmed, written, and stars in this bleary-eyed romp, initially plays into your expectations, but this is a film that does so much more, eventually sneaking up on you with a surprising emotional heft that is genuinely destabilizing. We’re introduced to his character, Peter, a professional partier, as Rihanna‘s “Sex with Me” blasts in an Uber taking him, his best friend and business partner Sophie, played by Cara Delevingne, and their crew to one of their all-out monthly club nights in the pre-pandemic New York City of 2016.
As we follow Peter’s journey, we see him navigating his life, from throwing parties to trying to prove himself as a responsible individual, all while dealing with the sudden arrival of a 10-year-old son, Arlo, whom he’s never met. This charming, odd-couple buddy comedy takes off as Peter tries to clean up his act and care for Arlo, with the musically-inclined pre-teen even joining his newly found father at the club to try his hand on the decks. Firstman’s direction is confident, the music, provided by Cristobal Tapia de Veer, is pumping, and the parties are appropriately sticky and wild, bringing his world to life in a way that feels textured and realized.
With Firstman‘s own easy charisma and genuine, low-key connection with Reggie Absolom‘s Arlo, Club Kid is a must-see, offering rip-roaringly funny set pieces and several one-liners that will stick with you long after the credits roll. As we watch Peter and Arlo‘s story unfold, we’re left wondering: can they stick together, and what is actually best for Arlo? With Firstman at the helm, we’re in for a wild and emotional ride, one that will leave you questioning the true meaning of family and responsibility.
