Kevin Smith is delivering his homage to 1980s teen movies.
The New Jersey-bred Clerks auteur debuted the trailer for his 16th and “most personal film to date” on Monday with the first look at The 4:30 Movie, premiering in theaters through Saban Films on September 13.
Set in the summer of 1986, the coming-of-age film follows three 16-year-old friends who spend their Saturdays sneaking into movies at the local cineplex. When Brian (Austin Zajur) invites Melody (Siena Agudong), the girl of his dreams, to see an R-rated film, all hilarity breaks loose, as a self-important theater manager (Ken Jeong) and teen rivalries interfere with his best-laid plans.
Described as a “poignant comic valentine to moviegoing and the youth of the ’80s,” Smith opened up about his personal connection to the film as he announced its August 24 world premiere at Smodcastle Cinemas, the Atlantic Highlands, NJ theater he saved from demolition in 2022 after watching films there as a child.
“It’s a personal paean to the John Hughes coming-of-age movies I grew up watching, shot in the same movie theater where I saw ’em all as a kid!” he wrote in part on Instagram.
Reed Northrup, Nicholas Cirillo and Austin Zajur in The 4:30 Movie.
Saban Films
“The 4:30 Movie is a not-so-secret origin story set in my hometown of #highlandsnj and neighboring #atlantichighlandsnj where @smodcastlecinemas lives!” added Smith. “@saban_films is releasing it in theaters everywhere on SEPTEMBER 13th, but if you wanna attend the World Premiere on August 24th at @smodcastlecinemas where we filmed the flick, tickets are on sale right now at The430Movie.movie! When real life sucks, REEL life rules!”
The movie also features appearances from Justin Long, Rosario Dawson, Jason Biggs, Jason Lee, Method Man, Kate Micucci, Rachel Dratch, Sam Richardson, Adam Pally, Jason Mewes, Brian O’Halloran, Jeff Anderson and Harley Quinn Smith.