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I Saw the TV Glow
I Saw the TV Glow
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I Saw the TV Glow

I Saw the TV Glow

2024
Drama, Horror
1h 40m
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

Screenwriter:

Jane Schoenbrun

Starring:

Fred Durst, Justice Smith, Brigette Lundy-Paine, Helena Howard, Danielle Deadwyler, Lindsey Jordan

Genres:

Drama, Horror

Country:

USA

Language:

English
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I Saw the TV Glow

2024
Drama, Horror
1h 40m
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Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 54.64% from 374 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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leonardisLeonardis
Rated 20 May 2024
97
94th
One of this year’s best movies in my opinion. Feels like a total nostalgia-trip in ways that I can’t even comprehend. The cinematography, music and fictional Pink Opaque took me to a time I miss on my life, but it’s Schoenbrun’s treatment of identity, body dysphoria and being trans that works so freakin’ well. There’s so much passion, honesty and heartbreak here, yet it isn’t a totally miserable watch. The visuals and performances are seriously amazing. I can’t wait to see it again.
Rated 20 May 2024
enigmazweb24enigmazweb24
Rated 26 May 2024
91
51st
An arthouse film that delivers in a variety of ways. The acting and direction is absolitely brilliant. As is the unsettling aesthetic. As a cis man, I didn't realize the film was so heavily allegorical to a general trans experience upon initial viewing. As such an allegory, the film suceeds. However, it does suffer from the typical highbrow affliction of many art films, that being that more than a few plot beats are nonsensical and rely far too heavily on audience intrepretation to be impactful.
Rated 26 May 2024
rurusmasherRuruSmasher
Rated 23 Aug 2024
95
90th
A queer masterpiece, a movie about being so deep in the closet that the only thing you can see is the barest hint of TV glow. Recommended to the Venn diagram of people who love David Lynch and Buffy the Vampire Slayer and who are queer (especially trans, since that's what this is about). Gorgeous and touching and heartbreaking.
Rated 23 Aug 2024
ceekay19Ceekay19
Rated 23 Jun 2024
80
81st
Maddy: "Time wasn't right. It was moving too fast. And then I was 19. And then I was 20. I felt like one of those dolls asleep in the supermarket. Stuffed. And then I was 21. Like chapters skipped over on a DVD. I told myself, "This isn't normal. This isn't normal. This isn't how life is supposed to feel.""
Rated 23 Jun 2024
bownBown
Rated 08 Jun 2024
89
91st
Ebert’s quote about movies as “a machine that generates empathy” was on my mind a lot here - Schoenbrun does a superb job of illustrating the despair and horror that comes with being afraid to live your life as the person you truly are. Gorgeous and transfixing in all the same ways as World’s Fair, with incredible tragic performances and astonishing production design and music. Sometimes a little too on-the-nose, but if it helps crack some eggs that feels like a very minor tradeoff.
Rated 08 Jun 2024
mrhallenbeckMrHallenbeck
Rated 24 Sep 2024
90
65th
A horror story about the slow, suffocating death you endure while living through the identity that you constructed to survive your environment, but not the one that is true to you. But there is always still time...
Rated 24 Sep 2024
aaautinAAAutin
Rated 17 Jun 2024
77
88th
Get your insides reupholstered at Build-A-Bear® today!
Rated 17 Jun 2024
rihreyrihrey
Rated 15 Jun 2024
64
85th
The vibes are immaculate, the cinematography is stellar. Really liked the story and how it's portrayed.
Rated 15 Jun 2024
terrymacterrymac
Rated 05 Aug 2024
75
72nd
A curious and somewhat surreal drama that I found at once affecting and occasionally baffling. There are a few themes in play, and it is made with care and very well performed. It does feel rather open to interpretation, and is none the worse for it. It also feels both very modern and very nostalgic. I'd definitely like to see this again to see how it lands.
Rated 05 Aug 2024
deaddillydeaddilly
Rated 18 May 2024
85
84th
I adored the first two thirds of this. Thought is was some of the most intoxicating audiovisual storytelling I've seen all year. The ending really felt janky and improvised, but not enough to have totally undone the magic. Will be eagerly awaiting Jane's films whenever they drop.
Rated 18 May 2024
staryarabbistaryarabbi
Rated 16 Sep 2024
70
56th
Ultimately, every serious American film is about the inevitable coming of the Matrix. The more you understand this, the easier you interpret American films.
Rated 16 Sep 2024
guardian978Guardian978
Rated 13 Sep 2024
15
4th
More pretentious A24 shit but now extra gay
Rated 13 Sep 2024
zanginZangin
Rated 12 Sep 2024
87
94th
On one hand, a love letter to the ability of fandom to bring a sense of purpose and community to our lives. On the other hand, a horrifying portrait of how we use fandom to cover up the existential meaninglessness of our tepid lives. It's a sublime work of beauty and, simultaneously, a terrifying mirror that I can't help but see myself reflected in.
Rated 12 Sep 2024
schnofelschnofel
Rated 05 Sep 2024
84
94th
Schoenbrun does something that rarely works, namely visualizing one's outsider fragility, fear, and social anxiety without resorting to complete self-pity and navel-gazing. The film transmits a deep feeling of sadness and being unwell, of living a wrong life, retreating into fantasy, and lacking the guts to ever cross over. That they found a neon-colored, Blue Velvet-y language for this and almost dramatize the conflict is quite something.
Rated 05 Sep 2024
sproostsproost
Rated 29 Jul 2024
40
15th
Come on, let’s not take this sophomore shit seriously.
Rated 29 Jul 2024
therealj_roTheRealJ-Ro
Rated 28 Jul 2024
65
31st
Justice Smith undeniably chooses interesting projects, and there's a dedicated visual style that I can't help but appreciate. "The Pink Opaque" is a show that would have been the hottest shit on YTV in the late 90s. Definitely pretentious, and lacking in a number of production areas (the sound mix in particular). Knowing that this was made with the trans experience in mind, this definitely represents more to others than it does to me. As presented, I thought it was intriguing, but only okay.
Rated 28 Jul 2024
seethruskinSeethruskin
Rated 01 Jul 2024
4
51st
A definite step up from her first film. I will praise its Cronenberg and lynchian (actually this time) imagery while also hoping it didn’t have to mask its heart. If you squint you can basically see a kaufman film in here.
Rated 01 Jul 2024
p_u_l_pP u l p
Rated 24 Jun 2024
65
62nd
Time wasn’t right. It was moving too fast. I was 19, and then I was 20, and then I was 21. like chapters skipped over in a DVD. I told myself ‘this isn’t normal. This isn’t normal. This isn’t how life is supposed to feel.
Rated 24 Jun 2024
janusjanus
Rated 12 Jun 2024
80
77th
Fair to say this one captures a moment: liminal-spaces, bisexual lighting, creepypasta elevated horror about gender dysphoria. Has some very deep feelings in it that moved me and it put me in mind of how grateful I am to have had good (weird, fun, tolerant) female friends growing up.
Rated 12 Jun 2024
emptythoughtemptythought
Rated 30 May 2024
25
10th
the only way i can redeem this in my head is that ironically it works as commentary on the suburbs/suburban lifestyle in that they created a person who would make this stupid film
Rated 30 May 2024
jlfmJLFM
Rated 27 May 2024
70
55th
Like Jane Schoenbrun's previous feature, this was maybe a little too ethereal for me to embrace as much as others have, but this one is also a good deal more ambitious and weird which kept me more actively engaged and happily along for the ride. If nothing else, this is among the most visually striking and memorable films I've seen all year. Occasionally bewildering, but almost always in good ways. I'll be chewing on this one for a while.
Rated 27 May 2024
epicspongeeepicspongee
Rated 11 May 2024
40
6th
auhasarderikauhasarderik
Rated 14 Dec 2024
8
80th
Hey trans people are not the only ones who got lost/buried alive in high school and are still there. Very moving and particularly acute psychologically, however hard to grasp it may be. And of course it is hard to grasp on purpose, and very well done. Killer soundtrack. In the darwinian history of movies it gets the 2024 Lynchian Allure Prize over THE SUBSTANCE by a mile.
Rated 14 Dec 2024
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 01 Dec 2024
48
10th
This feels more like a series of admittedly pleasingly crafted and seductive images than a real movie, though it gives Smith an opportunity to play hazy and bewildered, and Lundy-Paine has a knock-out of a mid-movie monologue. Though it seems to connect more strongly along the lines of the lived trans experience, I’m not sure there is enough substance here to really dig in to the concepts of identity and self-actualisation that Schoenbrun seems concerned with.
Rated 01 Dec 2024
guy-piranhaguy piranha
Rated 30 Nov 2024
65
54th
what a waste of an amazing ice cream monster suit!
Rated 30 Nov 2024
meowgaritameowgarita
Rated 20 Nov 2024
90
61st
jgjvghvjsvgdgvhjvsghdhbvsjdnkdsvl;
Rated 20 Nov 2024
griggs79griggs79
Rated 17 Nov 2024
60
32nd
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.
Rated 17 Nov 2024
war_machineWar Machine
Rated 12 Nov 2024
68
48th
Loveherleavingthetapes+Ithinkthatiliketvshowslool+awwshecomesbackahusk+heconformedthenrealizedbutiwishshedidntseemlikeahuskloliguessthatsrealistictoo
Rated 12 Nov 2024
thatyoungmthatyoungm
Rated 12 Nov 2024
90
87th
I Saw the TV Glow is a multi-layered, experiential film that slowly builds and then grabs you and doesn't let go. I wasn't expecting to be so struck by the film's symbolism, especially since I was already aware that the entire film is a metaphor for being trans and telegraphed those themes very early in the movie. Yet, the film's unique visual style and some emotionally-wrenching scenes that work on multiple levels with the film's theme in mind stayed with me long after it was over.
Rated 12 Nov 2024
adragon91ADragon91
Rated 05 Nov 2024
60
49th
I didn’t dislike this as much as I was expecting to. I kinda dug the vibes and got what the movie was trying to do with the trans allegory tied into nostalgia and where you belong. On the other hand, it did really feel like not a lot happened and there was an air of pretentiousness to it the entire time. The movie certainly felt longer than it actually did, but I liked it emulating the cheesy 90s shows of a time I grew up. Definitely more of a mood movie than a narrative one.
Rated 05 Nov 2024
khamulKhamul
Rated 29 Oct 2024
80
72nd
Ok, so right now I mainly see the issues I had with this film, but that's because I can't stop comparing it to Lynch's stuff. That comparison alone says a lot, and I did quite like the movie. It does a bit too much of telling rather than showing, and it definitely serves as a reminder for why I like Lynch over just about anyone. But with that said, this movie isn't really trying to be Lynch. It's clearly inspired by him, but it also does its own thing. Which is fine, just not as good as Lynch.
Rated 29 Oct 2024
moraesfelipemoraesfelipe
Rated 16 Oct 2024
45
23rd
Trying to find a place to live -- even if it's admist moody memories of watching a TV show with a friend yrs ago -- in a world that doesn't care about you. Strong when it's purely Schoenbrun's way to depict loneliness and alienation through the eyes of trans people, but problem is the structure kind of killed it for me: long video art sequences filled with monologues that feel "too written", when it broke the fourth wall or relied too much on voiceovers. Liked the brutally earnest finale.
Rated 16 Oct 2024
mpowellmpowell
Rated 14 Oct 2024
76
67th
test test test
Rated 14 Oct 2024
maakalmaakal
Rated 14 Oct 2024
76
57th
I'm not sure what I just watched... but I think I liked it?
Rated 14 Oct 2024
nuotionuotio
Rated 01 Oct 2024
55
50th
I really wanted to like this more. I dug the period details, Pink Opaque's SOV vibes and overall mood. Schoenbrun is clearly a talented director and during its best scenes, the film reminded my of Donnie Darko and Mysterious Skin. But I don't think it really comes together in the end, and the endless monologues sucked the air away, leading to the heavy-handed and unncessary epilogue. Still, I need to check Schoenbrun's debut film and will be interested to see what comes next.
Rated 01 Oct 2024
notoriousegbNotoriousEGB
Rated 27 Sep 2024
40
3rd
I wasn’t feeling this one. I guess just a hard time relating to the suburban lifestyle mixed with the nostalgic feelings for 90’s bad television while pondering my existence in life while questioning my identity and reality.
Rated 27 Sep 2024
jschlanskyJSchlansky
Rated 26 Sep 2024
75
66th
I huge step up from Schoenbrun's previous film, and I do think we'll continue to see further refinement over subsequent movies. Not every choice worked for me, but I appreciate how bold all of those choices were regardless, and the thematic/symbolic side of the film is absolutely impeccable
Rated 26 Sep 2024
amerigoamerigo
Rated 09 Sep 2024
86
90th
A cinematic masterclass that excoriates nostalgia while seeking refuge in it. It's a nice companion piece to World's Fair mixed with a heaping helping of Matrix Resurrections--focusing not on the Neos and Trinities of the world, but the meek side-characters. And unlike the World's Fair and even Matrix Resurrections, Schoenbrun makes the trans allegory as direct and overt as it could be. Perhaps this is necessary, but it does dispel some of the magic that made World's Fair so haunting.
Rated 09 Sep 2024
shockularSHOCKULAR
Rated 08 Sep 2024
45
7th
I'm generally a big fan of so called A24 horror, which tends to be very vibes based, doesn't really have a ton of jump scares, and relies greatly on its atmosphere and mood. Sometimes vibes just aren't enough, though. This is a very frustrating film. It seems to be exactly the film it wants to be, and it has some brilliant moments, but so much of it was just boring to me. I wanted to like it way more than I did. It's obvious that Schoenbrun is gifted, but she just hasn't totally connected for me
Rated 08 Sep 2024
gnalkhereGnalkhere
Rated 05 Sep 2024
85
82nd
A trans allegory but also how you should take risks in life, or you'll just run around in circles back and forth for the rest of your life, and also to hold on to your CRT TV; that thing retains quality. Visually stunning.
Rated 05 Sep 2024
spaceflohspacefloh
Rated 14 Aug 2024
20
3rd
eng; [i saw the tv glow]; ein junge sieht mit einer schulfreundin eine TV show an, welche vom alter scheinbar nicht für kinder passend ist und daraufhin stellen sie ihre realität in frage.; (FSK 25);
Rated 14 Aug 2024
matthagenmatthagen
Rated 10 Aug 2024
50
43rd
With its bold confidence, this movie can't be ignored. Its esoteric essence lends itself to a mystery, but it also leaves the viewer cold and confused. The themes resonate, and some scenes are magic, but the overall journey misses the mark.
Rated 10 Aug 2024
velvet_croweVelvet Crowe
Rated 03 Aug 2024
88
97th
What mainly engaged me here thematically is the personal connection we share on media and the the dangers of hiding your true self in the long term. Both of these are treated in high abstraction but I think the most admirable part of this film is that it rejects the conventions of typical "coming of age stories" and instead conveys the inner-destruction that comes with never becoming your true self. I wasn't totally engaged with certain metaphorical framing it has but I love it thematically.
Rated 03 Aug 2024
tevtev
Rated 31 Jul 2024
70
89th
This made me emotional... I'm not sure I understood everything, but what I did get I really got.
Rated 31 Jul 2024
cetincelikcetincelik
Rated 15 Jul 2024
64
40th
2024'de #IzlediğimFilmler ; 158. I Saw the TV Glow Alegorik anlatımını başarılı sinematografisi, müzikleri ve oyunculukları ile etkileyici hale getirmiş. 6/10
Rated 15 Jul 2024
kevin_ruffoKevin Ruffo
Rated 09 Jul 2024
80
79th
damn mr. melancholy's cool
Rated 09 Jul 2024
hadleyreisHadleyreis
Rated 04 Jul 2024
64
41st
Seems like ‘The Pink Opaque’ would have been more entertaining.
Rated 04 Jul 2024
mactonightmactonight
Rated 29 Jun 2024
40
8th
Too much telling not enough showing. Wannabe David Lynch. I thought this was supposed to be a horror flick.
Rated 29 Jun 2024
wolfwoodeWolfwoode
Rated 25 Jun 2024
25
7th
There is a lot of talent on display in this film. The acting is top notch, the cinematography is great, there are lots of examples of internal framing, it makes beautiful use of color. It is a shame that the movie had it's head too far up it's own ass to be entertaining. With an artsy film like this you still need to keep the viewer engaged. The movie has too many talking head scenes, downtime, and way too little pay off for the slow burn it provides. What a waste of talent and my time.
Rated 25 Jun 2024
obdurateObdurate
Rated 23 Jun 2024
50
14th
I understand what it's exploring but it's not the best version of itself. Too much time spent monologuing. When it does get some momentum, it's killed off with "artsy" shots like watching someone's face for a couple minutes. There's really only one moment where it ascends from an odd vibe to something resembling horror but then it descends again into what I don't like about it, right when I truly got invested. I dig the colour palette, the atmosphere and the fact it's weird though.
Rated 23 Jun 2024
irenebethhirenebethh
Rated 20 Jun 2024
1
5th
This movie was not only boring but had some horrible energy to it. My husband and I had to turn it off cause it was causing us extreme anxiety. There was barely anything said during he movie. The actors were horrible yet made me feel sick to my stomach just to look at them. Worst movie I've seen in a long time.
Rated 20 Jun 2024
niv7NIV7
Rated 19 Jun 2024
100
97th
sleep Also has Her Nightclub (it's a bar just over the Canadian border, near The Roadhouse)
Rated 19 Jun 2024
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 18 Jun 2024
58
49th
I appreciate the experimental spirit with which Schoenbrun tries to mine the uncanny for creepiness. This is a big step up from her previous movie, and I think Justice Smith's eccentric awestruck meekness is sublime; the movie owes a ton to his performance. It's also overreliant on monologues, and the "Stranger Things"-style retro aesthetic and Melies-via-Smashing-Pumpkins animated moon just aren't very fresh. I liked the last act, but even that suffered from the excessive foreshadowing.
Rated 18 Jun 2024
closedmouthclosedmouth
Rated 15 Jun 2024
70
41st
Kinda felt like the whole time it was hinting at a plot that never actually happened. The second half was a bit incomprehensible. I feel like this director needs a co-writer. I dug the vibes though. My opinion will probably improve once I read the inevitable explanation of the subtext that I’m completely missing
Rated 15 Jun 2024
brellbrell
Rated 30 May 2024
43
88th
grieving over futures past and being afraid of anyone who will tell me the time, hopeful or damning
Rated 30 May 2024

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