Jonah Hill didn’t just make a movie about skating in 2018. He basically bottled up a very specific, bruised-knee brand of nostalgia and let it loose on a generation that was already starting to feel old. If you’ve seen the film, you know it’s less about the kickflips and more about that terrifying, exhilarating transition from childhood to whatever comes next. But Hollywood moves fast. The kid from Mid90s now isn't a kid anymore. In fact, most of the "Motor Avenue" crew have spent the last several years carving out careers that look nothing like the gritty, lo-fi aesthetic of the film that made them famous.
It’s weird to think about.
Sunny Suljic was only 11 years old when he started filming as Stevie, the "Sunburn" of the group. Now, he’s in his early twenties. He’s taller. His voice dropped. He’s a legitimate actor with a resume that includes one of the most successful video game franchises in history. But he isn't the only one. The cast was a mix of seasoned child actors and literal "street-cast" skaters who had never seen a script before Jonah Hill found them at a local park. That blend is why the movie felt so real. It wasn’t just acting; it was a documentary of a friendship that was actually happening behind the scenes.
The Evolution of Sunny Suljic: Beyond Stevie
When people search for the kid from Mid90s now, they are usually looking for Sunny. He was the heart of the movie. You remember the scene where he tries to trade his brother’s CDs for a board? Or the devastatingly quiet moments where he’s trying to navigate his relationship with his brother, Ian (played by a pre-superstar Lucas Hedges)?
Sunny didn't just fade into the "where are they now" bin of child stars.
Instead, he became Atreus. If you play video games, you know exactly who that is. Suljic provided the voice and motion capture for the son of Kratos in the massive God of War (2018) and its sequel, God of War Ragnarök. It’s a massive pivot from a 1990s Los Angeles skate park to the frozen realms of Norse mythology, but Sunny pulled it off. He earned a BAFTA nomination for his performance. Think about that. Most child actors struggle to land a second act, but he transitioned from an indie darling to the face of a multi-billion dollar gaming franchise almost overnight.
He’s still skating, too. If you follow him on social media, you’ll see he hasn’t lost the hobby that got him the job in the first place. He’s often seen at events or posting clips that prove the skills we saw on screen weren't just movie magic. He’s grown into a style icon for Gen Z, blending that 90s baggy aesthetic with modern high-fashion influences. It’s a natural progression.
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Na-kel Smith and the Music Move
Then you have Na-kel Smith. He played Ray, the older, wiser mentor figure to Stevie. Ray was the soul of the group, the one who actually had a vision for getting out of the neighborhood.
In real life, Na-kel was already a pro skater for Adidas and Fucking Awesome before the movie even premiered. But the kid from Mid90s now—or rather, the "older kid"—has spent a lot of his energy on music. He’s released several projects under his own name, leaning into a raw, experimental rap style that mirrors the DIY energy of his skating. He didn't chase the Hollywood blockbuster dragon. He stayed weird. He stayed authentic.
He also appeared in The 40-Year-Old Version and did some voice work, but you get the sense that Na-kel is more interested in being a polymath than a movie star. He’s a designer. A rapper. A skater. An actor. In that order, usually.
The Realism of Street Casting: Olan Prenatt and Gio Galicia
One of the most fascinating things about the movie's legacy is how it handled the rest of the crew. Olan Prenatt, who played the long-haired, party-loving "Fuckshit," was a find. He had this effortless charisma that felt like he wasn't even trying. Today, Olan is a major presence in the fashion world. With those signature blonde curls, he’s modeled for brands like Hood By Air and remains a staple in the high-end streetwear scene.
Gio Galicia, who played Ruben, has continued to act. You might have spotted him in the series On My Block. He was the one in Mid90s who felt the most threatened by Stevie joining the group—the classic "middle child" of a friend circle. Seeing him grow up and continue to land roles is a testament to the eye for talent that the casting directors, Allison Jones and Eli Bush, had.
They weren't just looking for kids who could skate. They were looking for kids who could carry the weight of a heavy, R-rated drama.
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Why the Movie Hits Differently in 2026
Looking back, the movie serves as a time capsule for a transition period in film. It was released right as A24 was becoming a household name. It captured a moment before everyone was constantly on their phones.
Honestly, the kid from Mid90s now represents a bridge. These actors are some of the last ones to experience a "analog" childhood, even if it was just through a script. There’s a scene in the movie where they’re all just sitting on a curb, talking about nothing. No phones. No TikTok. Just bored kids being bored together. That resonates even more today because that kind of boredom is extinct.
The actors themselves have talked about how the filming process felt like a summer camp. Jonah Hill famously banned them from using their phones on set to keep them in the 1996 mindset. It worked. You can see the genuine bonds in their eyes.
Where the Supporting Cast Landed
We can't talk about the "kids" without mentioning the adults who were barely adults themselves.
- Lucas Hedges: Already an Oscar nominee when the film came out, Hedges has become one of the most respected actors of his generation. His portrayal of the aggressive, deeply lonely older brother Ian remains one of the film’s most underrated performances.
- Katherine Waterston: She played the mom, Dabney. She’s gone on to lead massive franchises like Fantastic Beasts, but her role in Mid90s was the anchor that kept the movie from floating away into pure skate-video territory.
- Alexa Demie: Before she was Maddy Perez on Euphoria, she was Estee in Mid90s. If you watch the movie now, it’s wild to see her in such a different, more subdued role. She was already a star; we just didn't all know it yet.
The Impact on Skate Culture
Mid90s didn't just launch careers; it validated a subculture. For years, skating in movies was portrayed as either a "radical" joke or a background aesthetic for "cool" characters. Hill treated it like high art. He shot on 16mm film. He used a 4:3 aspect ratio.
The kids in the movie were part of the Illegal Civilization crew, a skate collective started by Mikey Alfred. Alfred served as a co-producer. This connection to the actual scene meant that when the movie came out, it didn't get laughed at by real skaters. That’s a rare feat. Most "skate movies" are cringe-inducing. This one felt like home.
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Misconceptions About the Cast
There is a common myth that these kids were just playing themselves. That’s a bit of an insult to their work. Sunny Suljic, for instance, had to learn how to fall. Specifically, he had to learn how to fall like someone who didn't know how to skate well yet, which is actually harder than falling correctly when you're a pro.
Another misconception? That they all stayed in a tight-knit "skate pack" forever. While they are still friendly, they’ve all branched out into very different corners of the industry. Na-kel is in the studio. Olan is on the runway. Sunny is in the recording booth for AAA games. They grew up.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Creators
If you’re looking at the trajectory of the kid from Mid90s now and wondering how to apply their "success" to your own creative life, there are a few real-world lessons here.
- Authenticity over Polish: The reason these kids resonated is that they weren't "Disney-fied." They were messy. They swore. They made mistakes. In your own content or art, lean into the rough edges.
- Diversify the Skillset: Sunny Suljic didn't just stay a "skater actor." He learned the technical side of voice acting and motion capture. Na-kel Smith didn't just stay a "skater." He learned music production. The modern career is a multi-hyphenate one.
- Find Your Crew: The chemistry in Mid90s came from a real place. Whether you’re starting a business or a YouTube channel, the "cast" you surround yourself with matters more than the equipment you use.
- Study the Source Material: If you love the movie, go back and watch the things that inspired it. Watch Kids (1995), but be warned, it's much darker. Watch the old Spike Jonze skate videos. Understanding the history of an aesthetic makes your own work deeper.
The legacy of Mid90s isn't just a movie on a streaming service. It’s a blueprint for how to transition from a "moment" into a "career." These kids took a small, low-budget indie film and used it as a springboard into the highest levels of entertainment, all while keeping their boards under their feet. It’s a reminder that being the "new kid" is just the beginning of the story.
To stay updated on Sunny Suljic's upcoming projects, keep an eye on official casting announcements for the next chapter of the God of War saga or check out the latest independent film circuits, where he frequently returns to his roots. For Na-kel Smith, following his SoundCloud or official Bandcamp is the best way to catch his frequent, unannounced drops. Watching the evolution of this cast provides a masterclass in how to navigate the transition from child star to serious artist without losing the spark that made them famous in the first place.