Comedian Jordan Firstman’s fascination with self-mythology is no secret. His work has continually explored identity as something inseparable from performance. Now, this creative path, from behind the scenes as a writer to in front of the camera as an actor in hit shows such as Search Party, I Love LA, and English Teacher, has led him to a new frontier: directing. That said, his existing talents are far from left behind. For the first time, Firstman operates as a true triple threat with his debut feature, Club Kid (2026), uniting his many instincts into a singular vision.
The Night is Young
In 2016, for serial partier Peter (Jordan Firstman), the evening begins where all good ones usually do, an Uber packed with far more people than it can legally carry. As the camera rotates endlessly and Rihanna blasts over the AUX, the dizziness of a long night ensues. In the company of his eclectic gaggle of friends, Peter basks under the neon lights of a queer, underground New York club where he serves as a promoter-turned-dealer. Amidst the alcohol and drugs, his intimate encounter with a man in an enigmatic dark room develops into a ménage à trois with a persistent British woman, Lenora, who their friend group will refer to for the rest of time as “innit babes.”
Ten years later, Peter’s life has hardly advanced. Living in a perpetual cycle of indulgence, he possesses no desire or, more importantly, real need to break the pattern. Thus, his business partner Sophie (Cara Delevingne) cuts him off. The days and nights of the past decade continue to meld into one another until Peter arrives home one morning to find a young boy on his couch.
Unbeknownst to him, Arlo (Reggie Absolom), his son, had been conceived in that faintly recalled hook-up many moons ago. Brought over from London by his recently deceased mother’s scatty friend Edison (Kirby Howell-Baptiste), Peter is now the only family that Arlo has left. Finding himself to be a single father within the blink of an eye, he has no choice but to overhaul his lifestyle.
Sex, Drugs & Gentle Vibes
As the film’s double-entendre title promises, there is a fair share of partying to revel in Club Kid. Yet, that is not where this narrative is anchored. Peppered with niche cultural and internet references, Jordan Firstman’s script is effortlessly riotous and possesses some truly side-splitting dialogue. However, what is most revelatory and perhaps even unexpected is the empathetic edge to his storytelling. The growing relationship between the central father-son duo is initially unconventional but quickly matures into genuine endearment. Admittedly, showing more natural resistance from both sides would have strengthened their bond for the audience in the end. Still, as it stands, their dynamic is inordinately affecting.
Club Kid is as much about a real family as it is about chosen family. As Peter navigates his sudden responsibilities as a father, he briefly strays from his community of club-rat friends, cowering from their possible chaotic influence on not only Arlo but also his recent sobriety. Even though they are an imperfect bunch, their unyielding loyalty sees them rally around this unexpected turn in Peter’s life, embracing Arlo as their own DJ prodigy.
Populating the Dancefloor
Shot on tender 35mm by cinematographer Adam Newport-Berra (The Studio, Euphoria) inside actual parties within the New York nightlife scene, every moment in Club Kid feels intimate and tactile. This is further amplified by the work of award-winning casting director Carmen Cuba (Stranger Things), who assembles an ensemble of larger-than-life personalities that inhabit these liminal spaces and authentically represent the glorious diversity of the LGBTQ+ community.
On the foundations of this meticulously realized cast stand the film’s heavy hitters. Writer-director Jordan Firstman is, in every sense, at the core of the project. His performance as Peter initially recalls familiar strands of his comedic catalog, before gradually evolving into something far more textured and resonant. Both taking on supporting roles, model-actress Cara Delevigne and Diego Calva (Babylon, On Swift Horses), enrich the movie’s ensemble with heartfelt performances that quietly leave their mark.
In his breakout role as Arlo, 14-year-old Reggie Absolom emerges as a striking new presence. The young actor effortlessly holds his own against his seasoned co-stars, balancing innocence with a maturity beyond his years. However, he is not the only newcomer to make waves here. Fresh face Eldar Isgandarov establishes himself as Club Kid’s resident scene-stealer, Nicky, consistently commanding attention and wooing viewers with show-stoppingly hilarious deliveries on every appearance.
Club Kid is a Debut to Remember
Ultimately, Club Kid reveals itself as an unassuming study of forgiveness, extending equally toward others and inward. Beneath the tumultuous energy of hazy clubs lies a story of selflessness and healing that traces the slow, painstaking process of personal growth. Guided by the transformative power of love and the sustaining force of community, the emotional clarity on display from start to finish cements this as one of the most self-assured feature debuts of the year.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Club Kid premieres at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival!
Release Date: TBA.
Directed by Jordan Firstman.
Written by Jordan Firstman.
Produced by Alex Coco, Galen Core, Ryan Heller, & Michael Bloom.
Executive Producers: Jordan Firstman, Charles Croft, Jasmine Daghighian, Olmo Schnabel, Zak Stone, Ian Stratford, & Daniela Taplin Lundberg.
Main Cast: Jordan Firstman, Cara Delevingne, Diego Calva, Reggie Absolom, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Colleen Camp, Eldar Isgandarov, & Miss Benny.
Cinematographer: Adam Newport-Berra.
Composer: Cristobal Tapia de Veer.
Editors: Taylor Levy & Sofía Subercaseaux.
Production Companies: Stay Gold & Topic Studios.
Distributor: A24.
Runtime: 126 minutes.
