I Saw the TV Glow
I Saw the TV Glow

I Saw the TV Glow

2024Movie100 minEnglish

Teenager Owen is just trying to make it through life in the suburbs when his classmate Maddy introduces him to a mysterious 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.

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Insights

IMDb6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes84%
Metacritic76/100
Google Users80%
Director: Jane SchoenbrunnGenres: Drama, Horror, Mystery

Plot Summary

A lonely teenager named Owen bonds with a mysterious late-night television show, finding solace in its fantastical world. As his obsession grows, he enlists the help of his friend Maddy to help bring the show to life, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. The film explores themes of identity, loneliness, and the power of media.

Critical Reception

The film has been praised for its unique aesthetic, emotional depth, and exploration of queer identity. Critics have lauded Schoenbrunn's distinctive directorial vision and the strong performances from the cast. However, some found the narrative to be ambiguous or overly stylized.

What Reviewers Say

  • Visually striking and thematically rich exploration of nostalgia and identity.
  • A haunting and deeply personal film that resonates with its unconventional storytelling.
  • Praise for the performances, particularly from Justice Smith and Brigette Lundy-Paine.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciate the film's artistic direction and its moving portrayal of self-discovery and belonging, with many finding it to be a unique and affecting cinematic experience.

Awards & Accolades

Premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2024.

Fun Fact

The film was inspired by director Jane Schoenbrunn's own childhood experiences watching late-night television.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

6 reviews
Kali

Kali

Honestly? Not that good. Like I got the underlying metaphor of Owen being trans and that was cool, but there really wasn't that much substance to the film other than that. > I'll die if I stay here. I don't know how exactly, but I know i...
Chandler Danier

Chandler Danier

I was hoping this was a Helloween 3 remake. Way too much filler. Who needs to see bands performing? Monologues... It's deep but I wasn't buying. Hellish ending. Really cool shots. Creepy shots. Well shot.
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Told using a verity of storytelling techniques, this is a curious film that certainly has a potent point to make but somehow it just can't get there. It's all about the relationship between two folks on the periphery of society. "Owen" (Ian...
ekaari

ekaari

Necessity and Style, lacking Substance ‘I Saw the TV Glow’ offers an important message that is evidently hitting the hearts of the people who need to hear it, and the beautiful visuals bath it in emotional colour. It would have been ser...
TheSceneSnobs

TheSceneSnobs

I was disappointed in the flow of the story in 'I Saw The TV Glow'. Despite this, the melancholy feel of the film is beautifully conveyed throughout, enhancing its themes effectively. The visuals are stunning, and the combination of top-tie...
Brent Marchant

Brent Marchant

After watching this piece of incoherent, unfocused rubbish, I would have much rather watched the TV glow instead. Writer-director Jane Schoenbrun’s incomprehensible smart horror offering is an absolute utter waste of time, not to mention th...