'Club Kid' Review: A Vibrant and Heartfelt Comedy That's One of the Year's Best
By Becca Johnson - October 24, 2026
A feature directorial debut from Jordan Firstman (I Love LA), Club Kid is a dramedy that sees a man forced to turn his life around when an unexpected surprise throws a spanner in the works. Firstman stars as Peter, a hard-partying New York club promoter whose hedonistic lifestyle is turned upside down when he discovers he has a son he never knew existed. Suddenly faced with the prospect of fatherhood, Peter must rethink his priorities and figure out how to be a parent when he’s barely got his own life together.
With brilliant central performances, plenty of hilarious laughs and a surprising amount of heart, Club Kid is a fantastic debut that balances its more outrageous, bombastic moments with a genuinely touching story about growing up and finding purpose.
What immediately stands out about Club Kid and remains consistent throughout is its humour. To put it simply, this is a laugh-out-loud hilarious comedy from start to finish, offering a solid laugh every couple of minutes and proving to be a rip-roaring crowd-pleaser. Whether it’s Peter’s sheer inadequacy at making it through each day, his son Arlo’s naivety and impressive inclusivity for such a young age, or Peter’s friendship group of intriguing characters, there’s no shortage of material to work with.
From DJs and dolls to unapologetically drug-addicted besties, the people surrounding Peter are just as entertaining as he is, each bringing something different to the table. Even the familiar trope of the annoying, lazy roommate gets plenty of mileage here, whilst the woman helping Peter in court delivers several hilarious lines of her own. What makes it all work so well is how natural the comedy feels, emerging from the characters and their environment rather than relying on forced jokes. It’s simply a case of watching these wonderfully chaotic individuals get on with their lives, and the results are consistently hilarious.
Don't let the humour fool you, though, as Club Kid is also one of the most tender, heartfelt watches of the year. As soon as Arlo enters Peter's life, the film becomes a charming look at navigating new fatherhood, making better choices and, to put it simply, learning how to communicate with a child. All of this is completely new to Peter, who has spent years living a life of partying, drink and drugs, making it all the more rewarding to watch him gradually turn things around. Seeing the bond between father and son blossom really tugs on the heartstrings, and as their relationship is pulled into jeopardy, the emotional stakes only become greater. Much like the humour, none of this feels forced, with the more sentimental moments unfolding naturally as the story progresses and allowing you to experience the highs and lows alongside the characters. It's a film that'll have you crying with laughter one minute and reaching for the tissues the next, with both sides of the story proving equally effective and marrying well together.
The performances are another highlight, with Jordan Firstman proving himself to be a real talent both behind and in front of the camera. Not only does he direct the film brilliantly, but his turn as Peter is phenomenal, balancing the emotional demands of the role with a convincing portrayal of someone who fits right into New York's party scene. He makes Peter's journey towards becoming a better person believable, never losing the character's chaotic, quirky charm along the way.
Young Reggie Absolom is equally impressive as Arlo, bringing a cheeky charisma to the role that'll have you grinning from ear to ear. There's a real sweetness to his performance that makes the developing bond between father and son all the more endearing. The supporting cast are just as good, with Eldar Isgandarov (The Debut) providing plenty of laughs as Peter's roommate Nicky, whilst Diego Calva (Babylon) is thoroughly swoon-worthy as Peter's love interest. It's a terrific ensemble, with every performance adding something to a film that's already bursting with personality.
The cherry on top is the filmmaking, as from the very first minute, Club Kid has an infectious vibrancy that makes it well worth seeing with a crowd. From the parties, clubbing and DJ scenes to even the dates between Peter and Oscar, there's a real sense of life to everything that makes the film entertaining in the best, most natural way possible. For a film so rooted in partying, it's no surprise that the soundtrack is top-notch, but music also becomes a focal point in the blossoming relationship between Peter and Arlo, particularly through their shared Spotify playlist. It becomes a tool for communication, allowing the pair to connect in ways they might otherwise struggle with, and both the soundtrack and score capture this brilliantly. Tracks from the likes of Cocteau Twins and Ethel Cain help establish the tone and emotional weight of key moments, whilst the cinematography is equally effective. The camera captures the chaotic, almost overwhelming atmosphere of the club scenes but equally knows when to slow down and linger on the more personal moments. Everything comes together wonderfully, and despite running for two hours, Club Kid absolutely flies by, with something worthwhile happening in practically every frame.
Club Kid is a fantastic debut from Firstman that delivers on just about every level, balancing laugh-out-loud humour with a genuinely touching story about fatherhood, personal growth and finding connection. Firstman is brilliant both behind and in front of the camera, whilst the supporting cast bring plenty of personality. Its inclusivity and unapologetic queerness are another huge part of its appeal, with a vibrant world full of wonderfully individual characters that never feels anything less than authentic. Add a banging soundtrack and some impressive filmmaking into the mix, and you have a film that's as entertaining as it is heartfelt. A real crowd-pleaser and one of the year's best, Club Kid is a must-watch.
'Club Kid' releases in US cinemas on November 6, with its UK release coming January 7, 2027.
Want more film reviews from BFI London? Dive into more reviews, rankings, and film conversations, explore Film Focus Online now!
Becca Johnson
Senior Writer
Becca is a cinema obsessed Rotten Tomato-approved freelance critic from Essex, UK, with a penchant for horror and coming-of-age.
Want your film or TV show reviewed by Becca? Contact us.
