Jordan Firstman’s A24 Breakout ‘Club Kid’ Releases Official Trailer

Cannes has seen its share of unexpected breakouts over the years, but few have created the buzz that Jordan Firstman’s directorial debut achieved this past May. What started as a modest festival premiere quickly escalated into one of the most intense acquisition battles of the season, paving the way for a wider release that fans have eagerly awaited.

That anticipation has now culminated in the release of an official trailer. A24 has unveiled the first full look at ‘Club Kid,’ the comedy-drama that Firstman wrote, directed, and stars in, offering audiences their clearest insight yet into the film that captivated viewers in the South of France earlier this year.

The story centers on Peter, a washed-up underground party promoter portrayed by Firstman, whose chaotic lifestyle is disrupted when he must care for Arlo, the 10-year-old son he never knew he had, played by breakout star Reggie Absolom. Faced with the choice of continuing his carefree life or stepping into the responsibilities of adulthood and fatherhood, Peter must make a pivotal decision.

This premise resonated immediately at Cannes, where ‘Club Kid’ premiered in the Un Certain Regard section and reportedly received a standing ovation lasting around seven minutes. Lead actress Cara Delevingne, who plays Peter’s business partner, was visibly moved by the audience’s response, while Firstman celebrated by lifting young co-star Absolom into the air and leading the crowd in a chant.

The enthusiastic reception translated into significant studio interest. According to Variety, A24 triumphed over Netflix, Focus Features, Searchlight, and Mubi in a competitive bidding war that concluded at approximately $17 million, a remarkable sum for a directorial debut without franchise connections or a traditional awards-season cast.

Firstman later reflected on the surreal nature of the sale, sharing that HBO and Max content CEO Casey Bloys had even connected him with a psychic before the deal was finalized. “A psychic told me last week it was going to be A24,” Firstman told Variety, adding that the reading also predicted the film would attract large audiences.

Joining Firstman, Delevingne, and Absolom in the cast is Diego Calva, who plays Arlo’s social worker, along with newcomer Eldar Isgandarov. The film is produced by Oscar winner Alex Coco, known for ‘Anora,’ alongside Galen Core, Ryan Heller, and Michael Bloom, with Topic Studios financing the project and Stay Gold serving as co-financier.

Early reviews for the film have been overwhelmingly positive, with ‘Club Kid’ currently boasting a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes following its festival run. Critics have lauded Firstman’s skill in balancing humor with genuine emotional depth, with several reviews highlighting the grounded and authentic nature of his performance, despite the risks of a first-time director casting himself in the lead role.

Firstman has previously discussed the personal roots of the story, explaining that the concept stemmed from a real bond he formed with a friend’s child years ago, which influenced the film’s central relationship between Peter and Arlo. He has also expressed a desire for the project to feel softer and more hopeful compared to his earlier, more emotionally intense work in ‘Rotting in the Sun.’

With the trailer now officially released and a wide release anticipated later this year, ‘Club Kid’ seems poised to become one of A24’s most talked-about contenders for the awards season. Given its strong reception at Cannes, expectations are already high for how audiences will respond when the film finally hits theaters.

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