Review: ‘Club Kid’ transforms a familiar story with vulnerability and heart

When we first meet Peter (Jordan Firstman, I Love LA, who writes, directs, and stars), in 2016, he’s having the time of his life as a queer nightlife party promoter, going clubbing every night and doing lots of drugs. Ten years later, his life hasn’t changed much, and it’s no longer cute. He’s either on a coke-fueled party bender, hungover, or both. And after being up for days, causing him to lose his party promoter job, he finds out that he apparently slept with a woman one time because now there’s a 10-year-old British boy (Reggie Absolom, Silo) standing in his kitchen. 

Club Kid’s broad strokes won’t be unfamiliar to anyone who has seen a movie about a man-child whose life takes a dramatic turn and they have to get their shit straight, but Firstman manages to transform what could have easily been a movie full of Hollywood clichés with realistic authenticity. Shot in real clubs with real clubgoers, you could scan any club scene and spot someone notable, like ‘90s Club Kid Amanda Lepore. From the cinematography and editing to the overall vibe, the film nails the energy of queer nightlife. A flashback sequence where Peter conceives his son Arlo in a dark corner of a club is exquisitely shot. 

What makes Club Kid so special is Firstman’s breakout performance, taking his character from coolest guy in the room to bottom of the barrel to “Dad” with naked vulnerability and heart. Just from his comedic roles, he is very, very funny, and I never would have expected him to deliver such a beautiful portrait of a father trying his best to be the man his son needs him to be.