Cannes 2026: Club Kid Review

This will be one of many reviews during this year’s Cannes International Film Festival, to keep up with our latest coverage, click here.

Subjected to a multi-studio bidding war, with A24 ultimately acquiring the film in an eight-figure deal, Jordan Firstman’s Club Kid was undoubtedly the talk of the Cannes Film Festival. The film premiered in the Un Certain Regard section with immense success, particularly praising Firstman’s triple-threat achievement as a director, writer, and lead actor. His recognition is justified as he unequivocally delivers on all aspects of the film. It follows Peter (Firstman), a gay man whose life as a party promoter is upended when 10-year-old Arlo (Reggie Absolom) shows up as his biological son.

Firstman’s growing prominence, including projects like HBO’s ‘I Love LA,’ became the basis for the curiosity of his directorial debut’s inclusion in the Un Certain Regard line-up. Club Kid predictably became a success as he phenomenally balances his extensive responsibilities, delivering a tender but funny crowd-pleasing story. The film dives into the kind of New York City club scene that has substantially been abandoned in contemporary film. Firstman particularly explores the LGBTQ+ community that has helped shape the modern club culture in NYC, blending an exceptionally witty but grounded tone to the film. Cara Delevingne’s addition as Peter’s business partner, Sophie, encapsulates this amalgamation in full effect as her life spirals throughout, irritatingly altering Peter’s journey along the way.

When Arlo enters his life, Firstman’s sharp screenplay and nuanced performance excels, as Peter attempts to find a balance between his chaotic party lifestyle and his determination to take care of Arlo. When Peter meets social worker Oscar (Calva), their earnest chemistry and connection strives to help Peter build a better life for himself. Smiling through the hardships and organically cracking jokes throughout, Firstman’s father-son interactions alongside an endearing performance from Absolom becomes the beating heart of the film. Firstman’s writing and direction showcases this dynamic father-son adventure that lies on the edge between fantasy and sensibility, aware that their merriment won’t last forever.

Overall, Jordan Firstman’s Club Kid is a powerful directorial debut that tackles a distinctively peculiar father-son relationship while balancing an organic representation of the contemporary New York City club scene. The new director fires on all cylinders in his triple-threat role, delivering a layered performance, witty script, and a grounded world. The film’s buzz throughout this year’s Cannes Film Festival was not unwarranted, as A24’s newest addition to their slate will surely rock audiences once it reaches a wider release sometime in the near future.

still courtesy of Cannes Film Festival

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Costa Christoulas

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