X
- 2024
- PG-13
- A24
- 1 h 40 m
- 2024
- PG-13
- A24
- 1 h 40 m
Summary Teenager Owen is just trying to make it through life in the suburbs when his classmate introduces him to a mysterious late-night TV show — a vision of a supernatural world beneath their own. In the pale glow of the television, Owen’s view of reality begins to crack.
Directed By: Jane Schoenbrun
Written By: Jane Schoenbrun
- 2024
- PG-13
- A24
- 1 h 40 m
- 2024
- PG-13
- A24
- 1 h 40 m
I Saw the TV Glow
6.1
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Summary Teenager Owen is just trying to make it through life in the suburbs when his classmate introduces him to a mysterious late-night TV show — a vision of a supernatural world beneath their own. In the pale glow of the television, Owen’s view of reality begins to crack.
Directed By: Jane Schoenbrun
Written By: Jane Schoenbrun
Where to Watch
Not available in your country?
ExpressVPN
Get 3 Extra months free
$6.67/mth
Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 48 Critic Reviews
86
90% Positive
43 Reviews
43 Reviews
10% Mixed
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 48 Critic Reviews
86
90% Positive
43 Reviews
43 Reviews
10% Mixed
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
I Saw the TV Glow speaks so powerfully to the curse of denial that the words “there is still time”, scrubbed in chalk on a suburban street, can have an almost magical effect on the viewer.
What’s most effective, and staggering, is Schoenbrun’s storytelling, which weaves together half-remembered childhood elements in the way they might turn up in a nightmare, weaving in sounds and lights and colors and the gloriously inexplicable.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 150 User Ratings
6.1
57% Positive
85 Ratings
85 Ratings
19% Mixed
29 Ratings
29 Ratings
24% Negative
36 Ratings
36 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 150 User Ratings
6.1
57% Positive
85 Ratings
85 Ratings
19% Mixed
29 Ratings
29 Ratings
24% Negative
36 Ratings
36 Ratings
I completely loved everything this film managed to do. To be so unrelentingly bleak and brutal, and still endlessly hopeful, to have all these layers and interconnected pieces of the human experience resonate in exactly the perfect frequencies with each other, is a massive accomplishment. Probably my favourite film that I've seen all year.
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I should start by stating that the director's first film "We're all going to the world's fair" was an absolute killer of a debut and it's actually in my top 10 favorite films of all time. So, needless to say, I was really looking forward to this follow-up. I will agree with some critics that the main character doesn't quite have the acting chops to pull off being in 3 different eras of life, but there's just so much style and substance here that I gave that one critique a pass. I also believe that both leads are supposed to have autism, which could influence your perception of the third chapter and ending. I really loved the vibe of this movie. The buzz around the tv show (within the film) The Pink Opaque reminded me a lot of the fan buzz around Buffy The Vampire Slayer and how it became a landmark of pop culture for that early 90's era. I also really liked the underlying horror that existed just below the colorful and vibrant surface. I personally think the plot was genius and while I knew watching it, that some would not be happy with the ending (that was also a common complaint with "Late Night With The Devil" which is a masterpiece), I believe that many are missing the context of what was happening. I'm not going to give away any spoilers, but the ending is very similar to the conclusion of We're All Going To The World's Fair in that what you're seeing may not actually be what's happening. In any case, uber stylish arthouse horror films like this are so few and far between that I will give this film all the praise it deserves and more! And that soundtrack! There's several scenes that place special attention on the musical performances and because they're given time to play out, they are so powerful and leave a lasting imprint. My only personal gripe was that the fathers in both children's lives were a-holes. Believe me, there's plenty of horrible, crappy mothers out there too. I should know, as my own mom was one of them,
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Entertaining yet depressing, surreal yet too real, frustrating yet somehow cathartic, "I Saw the TV Glow" leaves such a strong impression that it's hard to stop thinking about it days after seeing it.
Such an original and disturbing and haunting and creatively outrageous piece of work that it refuses to drift from your conscience.
Congratulations, Gen-Z, you’ve just been handed your new midnight-movie obsession.
Something about the detail and clarity with which Jane Schoenbrun evokes ’90s suburbia in “I Saw the TV Glow” makes you remember growing up there — even if you didn’t.
The film is a mesmeric but frequently muddled exploration of transgender self-actualization.
Incredible, moving and heartfelt movie about forming your identity and the pitfalls of rejecting this. One of the best films of the year
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I Saw the TV Glow is a film that left me teetering on the edge of indecision. As the credits rolled, I grappled with a simple yet profound question: Was this the best or worst film of the year? Ultimately, I realised that the film’s impact was more complex than a binary judgment could capture. Some films aren’t universally accessible—not due to their themes, but because of the unique methods they use to explore those themes. This film, with its unique methods, is a prime example.
I watched I Saw the TV Glow as the London Trans Pride March passed by the cinema. The energy and sense of community from the march stood in stark contrast to the isolated, introspective experience of the film. This juxtaposition heightened my appreciation for the film’s profound exploration of identity and perception, engaging me even more in the film’s unconventional narrative device.
The concept of a programme within the film was a bold narrative choice. While I enjoyed this exploration, I needed help to stay engaged. The layers of storytelling, while intellectually stimulating, often felt like a barrier rather than a bridge to understanding the characters and their journeys. Despite this, there’s a particular brilliance in the film’s willingness to challenge its audience.
I Saw the TV Glow dares to push boundaries and provoke thought, even if it alienates some viewers. Its daring narrative choices and thought-provoking themes make it a cinematic revelation for those who can embrace its idiosyncrasies. For others, like myself, it’s easier to admire from a distance than to fully embrace.
I Saw the TV Glow may not be a film for everyone, and that’s precisely its strength and weakness. It defies easy categorisation, demanding both attention and patience. Whether it’s the best or worst film of the year is a question I’m still pondering, but perhaps that’s the point. It’s a film meant to linger in the mind and be debated and dissected long after the screen darkens.
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The marketing and ads for this picture are misleading – this is not a horror movie, nor a comedy, nor a drama. It's a creepy 90s tone piece about how nostalgia mixed with societal alienation can hijack one's connection to their true identity. If your mind went blank during that last sentence, you probably will hate this film. Everyone else will be **** into its claustrophobic world of half-remembered nightmares.
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The film does an incredible job building the atmosphere of the era and the emotions of the characters. And great performances to boot. But it often goes into overindulgence, wasting powerful moments with poor choices that distract from the main narrative. It could have been great and just feels like it was squandered away by too many distractions from an otherwise talented filmmaker.
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Production Company
A24,
Fruit Tree,
Smudge Films,
Hypnic Jerk Productions,
Access Entertainment
Release Date May 3, 2024
Duration 1 h 40 m
Rating PG-13
Website
https://amzn.to/4bQ6N8o
Awards
Astra Midseason Movie Awards
• 5 Nominations
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards
• 1 Win & 4 Nominations
International Online Cinema Awards (INOCA)
• 4 Nominations