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I Saw the TV Glow

Play trailer 2:13 Poster for I Saw the TV Glow PG-13 2024 1h 40m Sci-Fi Horror Drama LGBTQ+ Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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85% Tomatometer 235 Reviews 71% Popcornmeter 100+ Verified Ratings
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.
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I Saw the TV Glow

I Saw the TV Glow

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Critics Consensus

With a distinctive visual aesthetic that enhances its emotionally resonant narrative, I Saw the TV Glow further establishes writer-director Jane Schoenbrun as a rising talent.

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Audience Says

Artistic and heavy on symbolism, I Saw the TV Glow speaks loud to those it touches.

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Critics Reviews

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Ben Walters Sight & Sound 3d
In Schoenbrun’s films, it’s probably more than any one character can manage to get through the reality-quake of daily experience, let alone forge meaningful reciprocal bonds with anyone else flailing through the world. Go to Full Review
Wenlei Ma The Nightly (AU) 09/06/2024
3.5/5
I Saw the TV Glow is a confident, original film, birthed and crafted in a way that feels wholly different to anything you’ve seen before – certainly not in mainstream Hollywood cinema. Go to Full Review
Stephen Romei The Australian 08/31/2024
The ending is the rawest and best part of this ­unconventional movie. Go to Full Review
David Bax Battleship Pretension Sep 7
Like World’s Fair, the film would have to be categorized as horror, assuming it would have to be categorized at all. Go to Full Review
Clotilde Chinnici The People's Movies Aug 19
3/5
The movie tenderly speaks to the concept of realizing and actualizing one’s true identity with the TV programme acting as a metaphor for gender dysphoria and trans identity. Go to Full Review
Anya Couture Geek Vibes Nation Aug 10
10/10
I Saw The TV Glow grows into a brutal gut punch. Peppered with an eagle-eyed analysis of TV media and a message to those who struggle with dysphoria that even though it doesn’t really end, it can be made to reside elsewhere within our reality. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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jo May 23 “there is still time” See more Kris Apr 10 THIS MOVIE. was amazing. I cried so hard, it really made me feel a way I haven't before. See more Samantha Feb 9 Such an erie movie that you just can't take your eyes off of! Uniquely shot with an eveb more unique plot. Take from it what you will. This film is easily one of my top for the year! Love it! See more James G 06/26/2024 I feel like the trailer for this movie did it a grave disservice and will likely unfairly harm its rating on here. If I had gone into it with any understanding of what it was, I likely would have enjoyed it even more. I thought I was in for a rather campy horror movie, not a serious commentary on what life is like living with gender dysphoria. Great visuals and a great job done by the cast. Justice Smith has been in a lot of mediocre movies, but this film finally lets you really see that he has some decent acting chops. See more Pet_ M 06/22/2024 I Saw the TV Glow viscerally depicts the struggle of confronting identity as we age. While confronting themes of gender, identity, escapism, isolation, repression, and dissociation, the film imparts the message that avoiding our problems, thoughts, and emotions will only sow the seed of a deeper, inescapable pain. notions of “There is still time” and “I’m dying” are juxtaposed, reminding us of the ever lessening time we have on Earth. It is a cautionary coming of age tale of a protagonist who never comes of age. Owen’s obsession with the Pink Opaque subdues the deeper anxiety he feels relating to his own existence. When passively consuming what is presented through his screen, he avoids the urgent need to find and embrace authenticity in his life. He stays in his hometown, largely alone, spending his days at an unfulfilling job. He is scared, and never confronts the feeling. One can’t talk about the film without examining the conspicuous subject of gender. Jane Schoenbrun asserts their place as both a writer and director with unique taste and execution in their second feature film, making a movie by and for trans people, while still conveying a message that can resonate with anyone. The passage of time is an opportunity, especially in queer temporality, to find solace. The late start and often early end to many trans people’s lives exacerbates the unease of the already short and unforgiving nature of existence. “Does time ever feel like it’s not moving normally?” asks the person once known as Maddy, glaring into the eyes of the viewer in one of several fourth wall breaks. The film is both a meta-commentary on media and a vigorous wake up call to live life wholeheartedly and authentically. This message, mixed with memorable visuals and a stellar soundtrack, is sure to make its home in the hearts of many. See more 06/20/2024 I saw this three times, and each was a new experience. There are so many ways to interpret this, and it allows you to understand the story more deeply each time. This is not a traditional horror by any means, and I would recommend it to people who appreciate lighting/visuals/sound in film rather than high-stakes action or adrenaline. While the film has an explicitly queer narrative, this is one that can be enjoyed by anyone who has struggled to make sense of their life and take it into their own hands. To them, I say: there is still time. See more Read all reviews
I Saw the TV Glow

My Rating

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Movie Info

Synopsis 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.
Director
Jane Schoenbrun
Producer
Emma Stone, Dave McCary, Ali Herting, Luca Intili, Sarah Winshall
Screenwriter
Jane Schoenbrun
Distributor
A24
Production Co
A24
Rating
PG-13 (Teen Smoking|Some Sexual Material|Thematic Elements|Violent Content)
Genre
Sci-Fi, Horror, Drama, LGBTQ+, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 17, 2024, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 14, 2024
Box Office (Gross USA)
$4.5M
Runtime
1h 40m
Sound Mix
Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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