When Jordan Firstman set out to make his directorial debut with Club Kid, he had a clear vision: a story that felt as raw and authentic as it was hilarious. The film, which follows party promoter Peter (Firstman) as he discovers he has a 10-year-old son named Arlo (Reggie Absolom) and is thrust into fatherhood after a tragedy, has been praised for its heartfelt and unexpectedly tender portrayal of an unconventional family bond. But according to Firstman, the ending we see on screen wasn't the only one he considered.
In a recent conversation with Collider, Firstman and Absolom opened up about the film's bittersweet finale, revealing that an alternate ending was nearly used. While they didn't go into specifics, Firstman hinted that the original conclusion was more open-ended, but he ultimately chose the version that lands with emotional resonance. "We wanted something that felt true to the characters' journeys," he explained. "The ending we went with feels earned—it's hopeful but not saccharine, and it leaves you with a sense of possibility."
The film's visual language was another key element, and Firstman credited Emmy-winning cinematographer Adam Newport-Berra for helping him achieve it. "Adam didn't have to do a movie at this scale at this phase of his career," Firstman said. "But he read the script on a plane, got emotional, and called me saying he had to do it." The collaboration resulted in a look that blends gritty realism with cinematic beauty, especially in the club scenes that are central to the story. "I have an eye for grittiness, and Adam has an eye for beauty," Firstman noted. "Together, we created something visceral yet gorgeous."
For Absolom, who plays Arlo, the club scenes were a highlight. In the film, Arlo learns to DJ, and Absolom revealed that the on-screen teaching was real. "The scene where Saturn teaches me to DJ—she was actually teaching me," he said. "When I got to the club, it was really fun, especially because I was seeing it from the DJ's perspective." Firstman added that the crowd was filled with real members of his community, who hyped Absolom up so much that he felt like a genuine star. "They made me feel like I was a real DJ," Absolom said with a smile.
Music plays a huge role in Club Kid, serving as a connective thread between Peter and Arlo. It turns out that Firstman and Absolom have their own shared playlist, which they plan to make public. The playlist includes tracks from Pinback, Cocteau Twins, Nine Inch Nails, Fiona Apple, and Lana Del Rey. "Fiona Apple is the best," Firstman declared, while Absolom admitted he's still discovering some of these artists. "I need to listen to more of her," he said of Apple. The duo's musical chemistry mirrors their on-screen relationship, which feels natural and lived-in despite the film's fantastical premise.
Firstman, known for his work on Search Party, The Other Two, and Big Mouth, brings a comedic sensibility to Club Kid, but the film's emotional depth is what sets it apart. Absolom, at just 14, delivers a breakout performance that has already earned him roles in Silo and The Other Bennet Sister. Together, they create a father-son dynamic that is both hilarious and heartbreaking.
As for what's next, both are keeping their options open. But for now, fans can enjoy Club Kid and its perfectly bittersweet ending—one that almost didn't happen. "I'm glad we went with the version we did," Firstman said. "It feels right."
