Kids

Set in the mid-1990s in New York City, the film captures the era’s street culture, casual attitudes toward sex and drugs, and the frenetic pace of adolescence. There are no adults monitoring the characters, a factor that accelerates risky decisions. The time period reinforces the sense of fearless experimentation and the consequences that follow.

New York City serves as the sprawling backdrop, with scenes unfolding in skate parks, rooftops, a local store, a pool, and a crowded party house. The urban environment functions as a rough, exhilarating playground where teens seek belonging and momentary escape. The city’s anonymity and crowded streets amplify risk, vulnerability, and the pressure to perform.

💋 Sexuality

The film centers on teenage sexuality, examining curiosity, first experiences, and the thrill of rebellion. It portrays how peer pressure, bravado, and the lack of guidance drive risky choices and the pursuit of sexual status. The narrative challenges conventional notions of innocence by presenting acts and conversations about sex in blunt terms.

🦠 STD & HIV

The plot juxtaposes HIV testing results among girls with the consequences of unprotected sex. Jennie tests HIV positive after a single encounter with Telly, while Ruby tests negative, highlighting stigma, fear, and misinformation surrounding HIV in the mid-1990s. The interactions reveal how disclosure and judgment complicate relationships and decisions.

💥 Violence

The story includes violent acts and coercive behavior among the teens, from theft and intimidation to rape. These events illustrate how aggression and entitlement escalate into real harm and reflect the consequences of unsupervised adolescence in a permissive social environment.