I watched I Saw the TV Glow and I liked it. 3/5
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“I Saw the TV Glow” is one of those films that feels like a fever dream, and not always in the best way. Directed by Jane Schoenbrun, explores the fine line between reality and fiction, trauma, and the intersection of media and identity. There’s no denying that Schoenbrun has a knack for surrealism, but the film’s abstract and experimental approach doesn’t quite hold up for its entire runtime. While it has moments of brilliance and creativity, the movie ultimately feels like it bites off more than it can chew. With an uneven narrative and a pacing that drags in certain parts, it earns a solid but flawed 3/5.
The premise of I Saw the TV Glow is both interesting and unnerving. We follow two teenage friends, Casey (played by Amber Benson) and Allie (Danielle Deadwyler), who bond over their obsession with a TV show that may or may not be influencing their perception of reality. This is where Schoenbrun excels—tapping into the notion that media can warp how we view the world, a theme that is especially relevant in today’s era of hyper-consumption. There’s something unsettling about the idea that what we consume can slowly erode the boundaries between what’s real and what’s not, and the film plays with this tension effectively, at least in the first half.
What Schoenbrun does well is the atmosphere. The film is soaked in an eerie, dreamlike quality that makes everything feel a little “off,” like you’re watching someone else’s nightmare unfold in slow motion. The use of lighting, sound design, and visual effects all work to create a disorienting experience, pulling you into the headspace of the characters. In many ways, the movie feels like a slow descent into madness, where the line between fantasy and reality is continuously blurred. It’s a vibe-heavy film, relying more on mood than on a clear-cut narrative, and that’s both a strength and a weakness.
On the flip side, the narrative often feels too loose and ambiguous to fully grasp. While surrealism and ambiguity can work wonders in certain contexts, I Saw the TV Glow often feels like it’s stretching its premise without providing enough narrative hooks to keep the audience engaged. The central relationship between Casey and Allie, while interesting in concept, never quite develops into something emotionally resonant. There’s a lot of potential in their shared obsession with the TV show and how it drives a wedge between them, but the film’s decision to remain cryptic means that emotional payoffs are few and far between. It feels like we’re watching the characters at a distance, unable to fully connect with their plight.
Additionally, while the pacing in the first act sets up a slow-burn tension, the middle part of the film meanders too much, leading to a lull in momentum. Scenes that should feel impactful instead drag, and the lack of a more structured plot makes it difficult to stay invested. The movie sometimes feels like a series of cool ideas and visuals stitched together without much cohesion, which can be frustrating.
However, when the film does work, it really works. There are a few standout scenes, particularly one towards the climax, that demonstrate Schoenbrun’s talent for building dread and discomfort. The movie’s exploration of media consumption and the psychological toll it can take on young, impressionable minds feels both timely and important. There’s a subtle commentary here about the parasocial relationships people form with fictional characters, and how that can become dangerous when taken too far. Unfortunately, the film’s message often gets lost in its own abstract presentation.
Overall, I Saw the TV Glow is a mixed bag. It’s visually interesting and conceptually ambitious, but it doesn’t quite stick the landing. Fans of experimental and surreal cinema may find a lot to appreciate here, but casual viewers might be left scratching their heads. Schoenbrun clearly has a unique voice as a filmmaker, but this particular outing feels more like a collection of intriguing ideas rather than a fully-realized story.