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Kids isn't afraid to test viewers' limits, but the point of its nearly non-stop provocation is likely to be lost in all the repellent characters and unpleasant imagery.
All Critics (56) | Top Critics (9) | Fresh (26) | Rotten (30) | DVD (2)
Kids is stunningly anti-erotic, though not untainted by sensationalism. By condensing all this inflammatory material into a 24-hour time frame, Clark and Harmony Korine create an overwrought narrative that's sometimes tedious in its relentlesshess. Feb 15, 2018 | Full Review…
Kids is stunningly anti-erotic, though not untainted by sensationalism. By condensing all this inflammatory material into a 24-hour time frame, Clark and Harmony Korine create an overwrought narrative that's sometimes tedious in its relentlesshess.
David Ansen
Frightening, frank and serious, a wake-up call to the world. May 20, 2003 | Rating: 4/5
Frightening, frank and serious, a wake-up call to the world.
Janet Maslin
None of the advance hype on Kids can prepare you for the raw, stripped-down reality that Larry Clark captures in his astonishing first film. Jun 18, 2002 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review…
None of the advance hype on Kids can prepare you for the raw, stripped-down reality that Larry Clark captures in his astonishing first film.
Edward Guthmann
Kids shows what transpires when children are set adrift in a heartless world, and warns us what happens -- and is already happening -- in the absence of love and guidance. Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…
Kids shows what transpires when children are set adrift in a heartless world, and warns us what happens -- and is already happening -- in the absence of love and guidance.
James Berardinelli
Ostensibly about the banality of youthful evil, Kids is simply about its own banality. Jan 1, 2000 | Full Review…
Ostensibly about the banality of youthful evil, Kids is simply about its own banality.
Desson Thomson
Kids, a disturbingly voyeuristic look at adolescent promiscuity, is virtually child pornography disguised as a cautionary documentary. Jan 1, 2000 | Full Review…
Kids, a disturbingly voyeuristic look at adolescent promiscuity, is virtually child pornography disguised as a cautionary documentary.
Rita Kempley
In the end, Kids is bound to enrage some viewers, enthrall others and confound most (even among those very teens who aren't allowed in because of the film's non-rated release to avoid the dreaded NC-17). Oct 24, 2018 | Full Review…
In the end, Kids is bound to enrage some viewers, enthrall others and confound most (even among those very teens who aren't allowed in because of the film's non-rated release to avoid the dreaded NC-17).
Dan Webster
Exploitative, gross, and despicable... Jun 25, 2015 | Full Review…
Exploitative, gross, and despicable...
Felix Vasquez Jr.
There really are some kids who think like this, and these are the kids who should see this film May 12, 2011 | Rating: B | Full Review…
There really are some kids who think like this, and these are the kids who should see this film
John A. Nesbit
Pedophilia, pedophilia, pedophilia. Oct 13, 2007 | Rating: 0/5
Pedophilia, pedophilia, pedophilia.
Cole Smithey
The first-time director, Larry Clark, is rather like his protagonist: He comes on to you, has his rough way with you, and leaves you feeling empty and violated. Aug 4, 2007 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…
The first-time director, Larry Clark, is rather like his protagonist: He comes on to you, has his rough way with you, and leaves you feeling empty and violated.
Rob Gonsalves
One of Larry Clark's infamous "Kids are Evil Monsters" movies, Clark tells very little, and shows too much with an art illusion. Jul 16, 2007 | Rating: 1/5
One of Larry Clark's infamous "Kids are Evil Monsters" movies, Clark tells very little, and shows too much with an art illusion.
Heavy and shocking, Kids is a portrait of the mentality, and social behavior from New York City teenagers in the beginning of the 90's. With a bold screenplay by Korine, just like the Clark's direction, this film presents a strong subject, that it's to be reflected and discussed by all society. The unknown actors and they outstanding performances are terrific, what make the movie more realistic. Some critics say that Kids is pure pornography and pedophilia. But the thing is, the strong scenes and the language are unfortunately the real true about some teens, not just of New York suburb, but also of whole world. Kids, is not a film easy to watch, especially for the views too sentient. But is very good to know the dark side of the adolescent sexuality, drugs, culture situation, the beginning of AIDS in the cult pop, AIDS transmission, sex experience talk and much more. An contoversial picture, very recommentable and present. Fresh.
Super Reviewer
Like a car accident that you can't avert your eyes from, this is an unsettling display of sociopathy and delinquency on the part of a group of hateful, repellent teens, though it almost works as a relevant social commentary on adolescence and AIDS. I said almost.
In the nineties there was definitely a place for this kind of movie; shocking because it was obviously a true portrayal of what youth culture can be responsible for. It talked about sex, drugs, AIDS, street violence, and rape without a blink of the eye, showing a gritty world we all choose to ignore. For all those reasons, this is an indie classic that still upends social norms and draws attention to the perverse lives of teenagers. Still, in this day and age most people, after watching this, would say "I've seen worse." It may be atrocious, but there are still way worse things in films today than twenty years ago. What Harmony Korine and Larry Clark do get right are the characterizations of the teenagers, and what they say and do. The mannerisms of Telly, Casper, and Jenny are all spot on and really show the deep emotional complexities of the characters. For that reason this film still resonates for a lot of people, because we see kids doing questionable things, all the while victimizing themselves. For that reason this film is a good time capsule of skateboarding culture, but also a film that really draws out characters, and shows the vulnerability of kids.
And I thought "Dazed and Confused" was a realistic depiction of teenagers...
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