I Saw the TV Glow (2024)
5.8 /10
86 Reviews
Rate This Movie:
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.
Videos & Photos
cast
... Owen
... Maddy
... Young Owen
... Isabel
... Tara
User reviews
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 the ticket price. This glacially paced story of two psychologically and emotionally troubled teens, Owen (Ian Forema) and Maddy (Brigitte Lundy-Paine), who bond over a cheesy late night 1990s young adult sci-fi/horror television series called The Pink Opaque struggles mightily to find its way. As Owen grows into an adult (Justice Smith), his cohort vanishes mysteriously when the TV series is abruptly cancelled, leaving him wondering what happened to her until she just as mysteriously reappears years later with a disjointed story that makes no sense from top to bottom. As the film’s narrator, Owen tries earnestly to explain, but his recounting of this experience is equally baffling, especially when he tells why Maddy has come back after her protracted absence. The result is an unintelligible tale that’s far from frightening (even metaphorically speaking) and ends up being a convoluted mix of 1990s teen angst, extended and inexplicably incorporated music videos, an exploration of sexual ambiguity, and a woefully wayward attempt at symbolically addressing issues related to personal disassociation and self-actualization. There are also numerous story elements and images that are included in the narrative that go undeveloped and unexplored. To its credit, the picture features a fine production design, intriguing cinematography, a good measure of campy comic relief (though not nearly enough of it) and a skillfully assembled soundtrack (handily this release’s best attribute). However, when a film’s musical guests receive greater billing than its cast members and the soundtrack ends up being its strongest asset, that doesn’t speak well about the production’s overall quality. To be honest, I get genuinely annoyed (and feel egregiously ripped off) when I leave the theater having screened a picture whose trailer and marketing seem to offer so much promise and end up failing miserably when it comes to delivering the goods, and that’s very much the case with this pretentious, sophomoric cinematic train wreck. Don’t waste your time or money on this one.
Director:
Writer:
Jane Schoenbrun (Writer)
Release Date:
2024-05-03
Run Time:
100 min
MMPA Rating:
PG-13
Reviews of
I Saw the TV Glow
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 the ticket price. This glacially paced story of two psychologically and emotionally troubled teens, Owen (Ian Forema) and Maddy (Brigitte Lundy-Paine), who bond over a cheesy late night 1990s young adult sci-fi/horror television series called The Pink Opaque struggles mightily to find its way. As Owen grows into an adult (Justice Smith), his cohort vanishes mysteriously when the TV series is abruptly cancelled, leaving him wondering what happened to her until she just as mysteriously reappears years later with a disjointed story that makes no sense from top to bottom. As the film’s narrator, Owen tries earnestly to explain, but his recounting of this experience is equally baffling, especially when he tells why Maddy has come back after her protracted absence. The result is an unintelligible tale that’s far from frightening (even metaphorically speaking) and ends up being a convoluted mix of 1990s teen angst, extended and inexplicably incorporated music videos, an exploration of sexual ambiguity, and a woefully wayward attempt at symbolically addressing issues related to personal disassociation and self-actualization. There are also numerous story elements and images that are included in the narrative that go undeveloped and unexplored. To its credit, the picture features a fine production design, intriguing cinematography, a good measure of campy comic relief (though not nearly enough of it) and a skillfully assembled soundtrack (handily this release’s best attribute). However, when a film’s musical guests receive greater billing than its cast members and the soundtrack ends up being its strongest asset, that doesn’t speak well about the production’s overall quality. To be honest, I get genuinely annoyed (and feel egregiously ripped off) when I leave the theater having screened a picture whose trailer and marketing seem to offer so much promise and end up failing miserably when it comes to delivering the goods, and that’s very much the case with this pretentious, sophomoric cinematic train wreck. Don’t waste your time or money on this one.
Cast & Crew of
I Saw the TV Glow
Cast
... Owen
... Maddy
... Young Owen
... Isabel
... Tara
... Brenda
... Frank
... Dave
... Amanda / Mr. Melancholy / Marco / Evil Clown
... Polo
... Johnny Link's Mom
... Mr. Sprinkly
... Neighbor 1
... Neighbor 2
... Lance
... Cade
... Drive-Thru Kid
... Brenda's Friend
... Sloppy Jane Band Member
... Sloppy Jane Band Member
... Sloppy Jane Band Member
... Sloppy Jane Band Member
... Phoebe Bridgers
... King Woman Band Member
... King Woman Band Member
... King Woman Band Member
... King Woman Band Member
... Older Theatre Goer #1 (uncredited)
... Older Theatre Goer #2 (uncredited)
... Fun Center Patron / Carnival Patron (uncredited)
... Election Day Volunteer (uncredited)
... Laser Tag Player (uncredited)
... Teenage Kid in Movie Theater (uncredited)
... Kid At A Party (uncredited)
... Carnival Patron (uncredited)
Crew
... Director
... Producer
... Director of Photography
... Editor
... Production Design
... Art Direction
... Set Decoration
... Costume Design
... Makeup Artist
... Makeup Department Head
... Assistant Art Director
... Executive Producer
... Hair Department Head
... Casting
... Casting
... Casting
... Second Assistant Director
... First Assistant Director
... Second Second Assistant Director
... Sound Mixer
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Stunt Coordinator
... Stunt Double
... Stunt Double
... Gaffer
... Wardrobe Supervisor
... Production Assistant
... Original Music Composer
... Mix Technician
... Boom Operator
... ADR Mixer
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Key Hair Stylist
... Key Makeup Artist
... Special Effects Makeup Artist
... Special Effects Makeup Artist
... Special Effects Makeup Artist
... Unit Production Manager
... Post Production Supervisor
... Assistant Set Decoration
... Charge Scenic Artist
... Set Dresser
... Property Master
... Art Department Coordinator
... Leadman
... Scenic Artist
... Set Decoration Buyer
... Graphic Designer
... Special Effects Coordinator
... Compositing Lead
... Visual Effects Producer
... VFX Artist
... VFX Artist
... Utility Stunts
... Electrician
... Dolly Grip
... Grip
... Still Photographer
... Best Boy Electric
... Additional Camera
... Costumer
... Wardrobe Assistant
... Assistant Costume Designer
... Key Costumer
... Key Costumer
... Location Manager
... Assistant Location Manager
... Location Assistant
... Location Scout
... Music Supervisor
... Music Editor
... Music Supervisor
... Script Supervisor
... Executive Producer
... Producer
... Producer
... Producer
... Producer
... Title Designer
... Supervising Sound Editor
... Sound Designer
... VFX Artist
... Production Assistant
... Casting Assistant
... Casting Assistant
... Assistant Editor
... Music Editor
... Production Accountant
... Production Secretary
... Payroll Accountant
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... "A" Camera Operator
... Steadicam Operator
... Key Grip
... Second Unit Director of Photography
... Camera Operator
... Sound Editor
... Foley Artist
... Foley Editor
... Foley Mixer
... Foley Artist
... Foley Artist
... Thanks
... Thanks
... Thanks
... Thanks
... Thanks
... Thanks
... Production Coordinator
... Production Assistant
... Executive In Charge Of Production
... Data Management Technician
... Production Assistant
... Production Assistant
... Production Assistant
... Health and Safety
... Transportation Captain
... Digital Intermediate Producer
... 3D Modeller
... Matchmove Supervisor
... Songs
... Songs
... Songs
... Songs
... Songs
... Songs
... Songs
... Songs
... Songs
... Songs
... Songs
... Songs
... Songs
... Songs
... Songs
... 3D Modeller
... Special Effects Makeup Artist
... Songs
... Songs
... Songs
... Songs
... Songs
... Stunt Double
... BTS Videographer
... Writer
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