🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Larry Clark
- Genre: Drama, Tragedy, Coming-of-Age
- Release year: 1995
- Runtime (length): 1h 31min
- IMDb rating: 7.0/10 (88K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: None
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A bunch of skater kids in NYC try to out-bad each other until everyone realizes STDs are bad, but like, not really.
🍿 Kids: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction to the Teens
The film introduces a group of teenagers navigating life in New York City. Telly, the main character, is obsessed with deflowering virgins and brags to his friend Casper about his exploits. We see their interactions with other teens, setting the stage for a day filled with reckless behavior.

Jennings’ Search and Revelation
Jennings is a young woman desperately searching for Telly after learning she may be HIV positive from a previous encounter with him. Her journey becomes increasingly frantic as she tries to find him and inform him of the potential consequences. Her urgency highlights the central theme of the film.

Escalating Recklessness and Its Consequences
Throughout the day, the teens engage in increasingly dangerous activities, including drug use, unprotected sex, and violence. Their actions showcase a lack of concern for their own well-being and the well-being of others. The narrative builds tension as the day progresses toward a potentially tragic conclusion.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Telly (Leo Fitzpatrick): A sexually active teenager whose aim is to deflower virgins, unaware of his HIV-positive status.
- Casper (Justin Pierce): Telly’s best friend, is deeply involved in drug use and reckless behavior.
- Jennie (Chloë Sevigny): A teenager who discovers she is HIV-positive after sleeping with Telly and tries to warn others.
- Ruby (Rosario Dawson): Jennie’s friend who supports her after she discovers her HIV-positive status.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Telly: “Virginity is the main thing.” – Highlights Telly’s obsession and predatory nature in his sexual encounters.
- Casper: “Geeez, Christ, what happened?” – Uttered at the very end of the film, summarizing the shock and lack of awareness of the characters regarding the day’s tragic events.
- Jennie: “What if you can’t make yourself happy?” – Reflects the underlying sense of despair and hopelessness experienced by the characters.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $1.5M
- Domestic Gross: $7.4M
- Worldwide Gross: $7.4M
💥 Kids Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, *Kids* is not an easy movie to watch. I saw it when I was way too young, and it messed me up for days. The rawness of it felt so real, like a documentary almost. The scene where Telly brags about… well, *everything*… it’s just burned in my memory. It’s not entertaining exactly, but it made me think about choices and consequences in a way nothing else had. Definitely not a feel-good movie, but something important.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Viewers interested in controversial and thought-provoking films”
- “Those studying social issues and youth culture”
- “Fans of independent cinema”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Explicit sexual content”
- “Drug use”
- “Strong language”
- “Violence”
- “Themes of HIV/AIDS”
Professional Reviews
- The New York Times: “A raw and unsettling portrayal of teenage life that’s both disturbing and, in its own way, mesmerizing. It’s a tough watch, but one that stays with you long after the credits roll. The film’s unflinching realism is both its strength and its most polarizing aspect.
- RogerEbert.com: “While difficult to watch due to its explicit content, *Kids* offers a stark and disturbing look into the lives of teenagers navigating complex social landscapes. It doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of adolescence, making it a powerful, if uncomfortable, viewing experience.
Audience Reactions
The brutal honesty of the film shocked and resonated with many viewers.: Many were disturbed by the raw depiction of teenage life, but also admitted it was impactful.
Overall Consensus: A controversial and unsettling film, notable for its realism and impact, though not universally enjoyed due to its explicit content.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Most of the cast members were non-actors discovered by Harmony Korine, who wrote the screenplay. Their raw, authentic performances contributed to the film’s controversial realism.”
- “The film was shot on location in New York City, adding to its gritty and realistic depiction of urban youth culture.”
- “Director Larry Clark and writer Harmony Korine aimed to present a raw and unflinching portrayal of teenage life, sparking debate about its exploitative nature versus social commentary.”
- “The film’s explicit content led to an NC-17 rating, limiting its audience and further fueling discussions about censorship and artistic expression.”
🖥️ How to Watch Kids?
Currently, ‘Kids’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms like Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Amazon Prime Video. Check your preferred streaming service for availability as it may change. Consider purchasing for offline viewing and owning a digital copy.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Kids, you might like these similar films:
- Thirteen (2003): Explores similar themes of teenage rebellion, drug use, and sexual exploration from a female perspective.
- Bully (2001): Also directed by Larry Clark, it portrays the dark side of teenage life, focusing on violence and its consequences.
- Trainspotting (1996): A dark, gritty, and unflinching look at heroin addiction and its effects on a group of friends in Scotland.
- Spring Breakers (2012): Captures a sense of youthful recklessness and hedonism, though with a more stylized and satirical approach.
🛒 Kids Related Products
- “Kids” (Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A high-definition transfer of the controversial film, featuring exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
- “Kids” Movie Poster: High-quality print of the original movie poster.
- Streetwear Inspired Skateboard: Skateboard featuring art inspired by the film’s themes and urban environment.
🎧 Soundtrack
Kids features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
‘Kids’ explores the themes of youth, recklessness, and the consequences of irresponsible behavior, particularly regarding sex and drugs. It aims to shock and provoke thought about the vulnerability and sometimes dangerous choices made by teenagers.
While not directly based on a specific true story, ‘Kids’ is a fictional portrayal inspired by director Larry Clark’s observations of youth culture in New York City in the 1990s. It reflects real-life issues and behaviors prevalent at the time.
‘Kids’ is controversial due to its graphic depictions of underage sex, drug use, and violence. Its unflinching portrayal of these issues sparked debate about exploitation, artistic expression, and the responsibilities of filmmakers.
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