There’s a film from the 1990s that many are comparing to the modern series Euphoria, as it resonates with a similar theme and intensity.
Over the years, numerous intense teen TV series have been produced. From shows like Skins and Sex Education to Riverdale and The End of the F***ing World, there’s no shortage of compelling narratives centered on teenage life.
The UK’s Skins was my go-to in the 2000s when looking for something akin to Euphoria. It’s a series that has been instrumental in the early careers of actors like Jack O’Connor, Nicholas Holt, and Daniel Kaluuya.
However, preceding Skins was the 1995 film Kids, directed by Larry Clark. This movie tells the story of a teenager named Telly (played by Leo Fitzpatrick) who is on a disturbing mission to sleep with as many virgins as he can, all while keeping his HIV positive status a secret.
The film is set in New York City, where one of Telly’s early victims, Jenny (played by Chloë Sevigny), becomes determined to warn other girls about Telly’s dangerous behavior.
Chloë Sevigny was just 19 when she appeared in this film, while her co-star Rosario Dawson was only 15.
Nearly three decades after its premiere, Kids remains vivid in the memories of those who saw it as teenagers themselves.
A snippet of the film was posted on a 90s nostalgia Instagram page, prompting many to share their reflections.
One viewer expressed, “It’s crazy how we watched that movie but I couldn’t even imagine showing it to my kids.”
Another commented on Kids saying, “One of the most realest, rawest movies ever!”
Yet another person remarked, “This movie is really disturbing.”
Despite its unsettling nature, some argue that the film is essential viewing for today’s teenagers.
“This movie should be a requirement for school kids to watch,” someone suggested. “Too real even today,” they further elaborated.
Resonating with similar thoughts, another individual shared: “This movie was the most realistic and traumatic film I have ever watched as a teen. I’m showing it to both my kids when they are a certain age.”
Another film enthusiast insisted, “Teenagers should be forced to watch this film to scare them straight.”
The person continued, “I know it damn sure worked on me when I watched it at 16. Been extremely precautious ever since.”
Adding to the conversation, another voice said, “I saw this in high school. Definitely teaches you lessons for sure.”
Unfortunately, Kids isn’t available for free streaming on any platform, but it can be rented on Prime Video.