Jordan Firstman’s A24 Breakout ‘Club Kid’ Finally Gets an Official Trailer

Cannes has produced its fair share of surprise breakouts over the years, but few have generated quite the momentum Jordan Firstman’s directorial debut managed this past May. What began as a modest festival premiere quickly turned into one of the biggest acquisition battles of the season, setting the stage for a wider release that fans have been eagerly anticipating ever since.

That anticipation has now paid off with the arrival of an official trailer. A24 has released the first full look at “Club Kid,” the comedy-drama Firstman wrote, directed, and stars in, giving audiences their clearest glimpse yet at the film that turned heads across the South of France earlier this year.

The film follows Peter, a washed-up underground party promoter played by Firstman, whose chaotic lifestyle is upended when he’s forced to care for Arlo, the 10-year-old son he never knew he had, played by breakout newcomer Reggie Absolom. Rather than continuing to dance the years away, Peter must decide whether to finally step into adulthood and fatherhood.

That premise struck a chord almost immediately at Cannes, where “Club Kid” premiered in the Un Certain Regard section and reportedly received a standing ovation lasting roughly seven minutes. Lead actress Cara Delevingne, who plays Peter’s business partner in the film, was reportedly moved to tears during the response, while Firstman lifted young co-star Absolom into the air and led the crowd in a celebratory chant honoring him.

That reaction quickly translated into major studio interest. According to Variety, A24 beat out Netflix, Focus Features, Searchlight, and Mubi in a heated bidding war that ultimately closed at roughly $17 million, an eye-catching figure for a directorial debut without franchise ties or a traditional awards-season cast.

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

Rounding out the cast alongside Firstman, Delevingne, and Absolom 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 reception for the film has been overwhelmingly positive, with “Club Kid” currently holding a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes following its festival run. Critics have praised Firstman’s ability to balance humor with genuine emotional depth, with several reviews specifically highlighting how grounded and authentic his performance feels despite the inherent risk of a first-time director casting himself in the lead role.

Firstman previously discussed the personal roots behind the story, explaining that the concept originated from a real bond he formed with a friend’s child years earlier, an experience that shaped the film’s central relationship between Peter and Arlo. He’s also spoken about wanting 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 out and a wide release expected later this year, “Club Kid” looks positioned to be one of A24’s more talked-about awards-season contenders. Given how strongly it resonated at Cannes, expectations are already high for how audiences will respond once the film finally reaches theaters.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!