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Mid90s

Mid90s is a 2018 American coming-of-age comedy-drama film written and directed by Jonah Hill in his feature directorial debut.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Mid90s is a 2018 American coming-of-age comedy-drama film written and directed by Jonah Hill in his feature directorial debut. Set in 1990s Los Angeles, it follows a 13-year-old boy named Stevie as he becomes involved with a group of older skateboarders while navigating a troubled home life.

Plot

The film follows Stevie, a 13-year-old boy in Los Angeles, as he befriends an older group of skateboarders. Their influence gives him a temporary escape from his troubled home life.

Production

Mid90s was written and directed by Jonah Hill and served as his first feature film as director. The film draws on skateboarding subculture and 1990s-era detail to create its setting.

Cast

Sunny Suljic plays Stevie, with Lucas Hedges as his older brother and Katherine Waterston as his mother. Na-Kel Smith and Alexa Demie are among the other principal cast members.

Release and reception

The film premiered in 2018 and was released theatrically later that year. It was presented as a nostalgic coming-of-age drama set within a specific cultural moment.

Key facts

  • The film marked Jonah Hill’s feature directorial debut.
  • It is set in 1990s Los Angeles and centers on skateboarding culture.
  • Sunny Suljic stars as Stevie, the main character.
  • The cast also includes Lucas Hedges, Na-Kel Smith, Alexa Demie, and Katherine Waterston.
  • The story follows Stevie’s attempt to escape a difficult home environment by spending time with older skateboarders.
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Canadian context

The film screened internationally and was released in Canada as part of its wider North American distribution, making it relevant to Canadian viewers interested in independent U.S. coming-of-age films.

Frequently asked questions

What is Mid90s about?
It follows a 13-year-old boy in 1990s Los Angeles who finds belonging with an older skateboarding group while dealing with problems at home.
Who directed Mid90s?
Jonah Hill wrote and directed the film.
Is Mid90s Jonah Hill’s first film as a director?
Yes. It was his feature directorial debut.
Who stars in Mid90s?
Sunny Suljic stars as Stevie, with Lucas Hedges, Na-Kel Smith, Alexa Demie, and Katherine Waterston in supporting roles.
What genre is Mid90s?
It is generally described as a comedy-drama and coming-of-age film.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid90s
    Supports: Basic identification of the film, release year, genre, director, plot, and cast.
  2. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/mid90s-2018
    Supports: Jonah Hill’s first feature as director, plot context, and skateboarding subculture focus.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mid90s
    Supports: Synopsis, genre, release information, and content rating.
  4. Apple TV — https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/mid90s/umc.cmc.5vsuvbt61ehwlyij9852seli2
    Supports: Official synopsis and note on original music by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.
  5. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/mid90s
    Supports: Cast, director, runtime, and thematic content summary.