Jonah Hill’s directorial debut, Mid90s, isn’t just a movie; it’s a time capsule transporting viewers back to a pivotal decade. The film, set against the backdrop of Los Angeles, delves into the lives of a group of young skateboarders navigating the complexities of adolescence, friendship, and identity in the pre-digital age. While the skaters themselves might not have fully grasped the cultural nuances of the 90s at the time, Mid90s vividly recreates the era’s raw authenticity. This authenticity is brought to life not only by the film’s soundtrack, blending Wu-Tang Clan with Nirvana, and its fashion, but also through the performances of its cast, including actress Alexa Demie, who embodies the spirit of the 90s youth.
Mid90s cast interview
The casting of Mid90s deliberately blurred the lines between fiction and reality. Jonah Hill’s decision to cast actual skaters alongside actors like Sunny Suljic and Alexa Demie lent an unparalleled level of genuineness to the film. This choice resonated deeply with the core values of skate culture, which prizes authenticity above all else. Alexa Demie, while not a skater herself, seamlessly integrated into this ensemble, bringing her own unique energy to the project. In an interview conducted as Mid90s began to garner awards season buzz, Demie and her castmates – Na-Kel Smith, Olan Prenatt, Ryder McLaughlin, and Gio Galicia – discussed the film’s creation and its connection to the 90s.
The Authenticity of ‘Mid90s’: More Than Just Nostalgia
The film intentionally captures a moment in time before the pervasiveness of mobile phones. This deliberate choice highlights the themes of loneliness and the search for connection that drive the characters in Mid90s. In the absence of constant digital connection, these kids find solace and belonging in their skate crew. This pre-internet era, so central to Mid90s, is a key element that evokes nostalgia for many viewers. As skater Olan Prenatt notes in the interview, “A lot of things in the 90s were at their core, you know?” This sentiment encapsulates the film’s attempt to capture a sense of unfiltered experience, something that feels increasingly rare in the hyper-connected modern world.
Alexa Demie and Gio Galicia in Mid90s
Mid90s avoids romanticizing the decade, instead presenting a gritty and honest portrayal of adolescence. While the film shares some thematic similarities with Larry Clark’s controversial Kids, it offers a more hopeful and uplifting perspective. This balance of hardcore realism with heartfelt emotion is part of what makes Mid90s so compelling. The film doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of teenage life, including drug use and risky behavior, but it also emphasizes the resilience and camaraderie of its young characters.
Alexa Demie on Navigating the 90s Aesthetic
Alexa Demie’s role in Mid90s as Estee, adds another layer to the film’s exploration of the 90s. While the film primarily focuses on the male skaters, Estee provides a crucial female perspective, reflecting the experiences of young women in that era. In the interview, Demie discusses her initial anxieties about the romantic element between her character and Sunny Suljic’s Stevie, given the age difference between the actors. However, she emphasizes the comfortable and safe environment on set, which allowed her to fully embrace the role.
Demie also expresses her enthusiasm for working on a film set in another time period. “I’ve always wanted to do a film that was set in (another) time – that felt like a dream, you know?” she explains. For Demie, who was born in December 1990, the mid-90s were her early childhood years. Portraying a teenager in Mid90s meant embodying a period she experienced as a very young child, requiring her to immerse herself in the cultural nuances of the decade through the film’s direction and her own research. This highlights the dedication of the cast to authentically represent the 90s, even if they didn’t fully experience adolescence during that time.
Na-Kel Smith in Mid90s
Skateboarding as Escape and Identity
The interview delves into the deeper meanings of skateboarding for the characters in Mid90s. For these young people, skateboarding is more than just a hobby; it’s an escape, a community, and a way to forge their identities. Na-Kel Smith’s character, Ray, sees skateboarding as a potential path to a better future, while Olan Prenatt’s Fuckshit embraces the freedom and recklessness of the lifestyle. Sunny Suljic’s Stevie finds refuge in skating from his troubled home life, and Gio Galicia’s Ruben uses it as an escape from a difficult family situation.
The cast members echo these sentiments in the interview, highlighting the inclusive and accepting nature of skate culture. Sunny Suljic notes, “It kinda sounds corny, but there is no age, race or gender in skating. Everyone is super open-minded.” This sense of belonging and acceptance is a powerful draw for the characters in Mid90s, who are all searching for their place in the world.
The Lasting Impact of ‘Mid90s’
Mid90s resonates because it taps into a universal longing for authenticity and connection, particularly in a rapidly changing world. The film’s 90s setting serves not just as a nostalgic backdrop, but as a reminder of a time when human interaction felt more tangible and less mediated by technology. Alexa Demie and the rest of the cast convincingly bring this era to life, reminding audiences of the enduring power of friendship, self-discovery, and the search for belonging, themes that transcend any decade. Mid90s is more than just a period piece; it’s a timeless story about growing up and finding your place, delivered with the raw energy and spirit of the 90s.
