Time: 100 Minutes
Age Rating: M – Horror scenes
Cast:
Justice Smith as Owen
Brigette Lundy-Paine as Maddy Wilson
Helena Howard as Isabel
Lindsey Jordan as Tara
Danielle Deadwyler as Brenda
Fred Durst as Frank
Conner O’Malley as Dave
Emma Portner as Mr. Melancholy/Marco/Amanda/Evil Clown
Ian Foreman as younger Owen
Director: Jane Schoenbrun

I was interested in I Saw the TV Glow when I first learned that it was the next movie from Jane Schoenbrun. They previously directed We’re All Going to the World’s Fair not too long ago, a very impressive film which had me curious to see what they would make next. Their follow up is truly spectacular. 

I Saw the TV Glow is a difficult movie to talk about, it’s difficult to not spoil the plot or to avoid implying the directions that it goes in, but I’ll do my best. I could best describe it as a unique coming of age nightmare, with elements of both psychological horror, and quiet and melancholic human drama. The result is an original film of a kind I’ve not really seen before. It’s a very existential, hard hitting and uniquely moving experience; there are so many layers to unpack, and it’s painfully easy to connect with the movie on some level. Long before watching, I already knew based on the reactions that this movie is about the transgender experience, and speaking as someone who isn’t trans himself, that is absolutely the case. Sure, transgenderism and gender dysphoria aren’t mentioned in dialogue, but it is right there in the text; it is clearly what the movie is about, far beyond being just ‘allegorical’. It’s a horror movie about transitioning self-discovery, and above all else, dysphoria, denying your own existence, suppressing who you are, and the crushing feeling that you’re living a life which isn’t your own. The last 15 minutes are devastating and haunting, and the film really leaves you with a lot to think about long after watching. 

The performances are stellar from everyone, but especially with its two leads. As protagonist Owen, Justice Smith gives the best performance I’ve seen from him. His performance is so layered, vulnerable and deeply sad, he conveys so much about his character, especially with some of the interesting and effective physical choices made with his acting (particularly) in the second half). Brigette Lundy-Paine is equally great, with a complex and layered performance, and there’s a particularly spectacular monologue from them later in the movie which was one of the standout scenes of the film. 

I really like Jane Schoenbrun’s work in their last film, but with I Saw the TV Glow they have taken things to the next level, such an incredibly crafted film. The visuals are amazing, with stunning cinematography, incredibly striking and beautiful imagery, and great use of colours, not to mention some top notch production design. The sound design is stellar too, and there are even a few surprisingly effective moments of horror. It also has an incredible soundtrack, from the specific songs picked, to Alex G’s excellent score. All of these come together to create a dreamlike and surreal atmosphere.

I Saw the TV Glow is a spectacularly haunting, existential, melancholic, original and impactful coming of age horror, visually gorgeous, and with incredible performances. It’s one of the year’s best and I can’t wait to see what Jane Schoenbrun creates next.