I Saw the TV Glow | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

Audience Reviews

James G 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. Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/26/24 Full Review Pet_ M 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. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/25/24 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/24/24 Full Review Brenda J Really slow and boring. Don’t waste your time. Rated 1/5 Stars • Rated 1 out of 5 stars 06/18/24 Full Review Sky Good. Devestating but good. Will have you feeling raw by the end. Also, killer soundtrack. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/17/24 Full Review Mr. Hollywood Nothing special. Tired of filmmakers who make films where its up to the audience to interpret. All it means is they themselves cant make up their mind so just leaves it open ended. Its lazy Rated 2.5/5 Stars • Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 06/11/24 Full Review Read all reviews

I Saw the TV Glow

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