Hey friends! Barbarella here. Club Kid releases in Austin theaters on Friday, November 13! Written, directed by, and starring Jordan Firstman, A24’s new comedy/drama demonstrates the impact a child could have on a person’s life.
When a homosexual club promoter and partier has a threesome that includes a woman one night while under the influence, he has no idea the impact that will have on his life. Ten years later, a child shows up claiming to be his son, and initially, he’s incredibly resistant to the idea of having a child around. This is understandable. As a hard-partying club promoter, his drug-fueled, unfettered life doesn’t really have room for a child. Eventually, though, he begins to connect with the boy, Arlo (Reggie Absolom), and things get complicated from there.
The dynamic between father and son, Peter (Jordan Firstman) and Arlo, feels genuine, and both actors carry the weight of what’s occurring without overselling it. There’s nuance in Jordan’s portrayal of Peter, a man who seems resistant to growing up and taking on the all the responsibilities of true adulthood.
Throughout the story, we see the queer community depicted as not just the unfettered partiers who throw themselves into sex, drugs, dancing, and danger, but also a community of supportive and caring individuals who don’t disappear at the sight of a child. Instead, they embrace him and take a real interest in the things he has to say. They offer encouragement that may have been missing from his life.
Jordan Firstman makes the wonderful decision to portray Arlo differently from the typical brat that is so commonly featured in stories where a father and son meet for the first time years after the child is born. Instead, Arlo is quiet and thoughtful. He’s not shocked by things he sees or the people he encounters, as he’s not exactly new to this type of lifestyle.
The movie blends its comedic content, great music, and dynamic camera work with sadness, struggle, and stillness, making this a movie that allows one to experience it much like one would experience life with all its ups and downs.
I love Club Kid for different reasons, but I think what I love the most about it is its depiction of its characters. While mistakes get made, this movie contains no evil villains. Instead, everyone feels purely human, with all the flaws, ideologies, and feelings that come with that humanity. No one comes across as outright horrible, even during conflicts. Everyone’s intentions seem good, or at least understandable, despite the actions people may take.
It’s a movie that feels genuinely authentic, taking me through a range of emotions. It also has a lot of heart. Club Kid arrives in Austin theaters on Friday, November 13. Check out the trailer!
