The Reel Review
Two lonely, LGBTQ+ teenagers living in the more homophobic mid-1990s form a friendship over their favorite fantasy TV show, which gives them a brief weekly escape from their depressing lives, at least until the show is cancelled. Years later, they reunite, one having become the hero of her own TV show-inspired life, the other still living a sad life of repression and self-denial. Justice Smith and Brigette Lundy-Paine star in this fantasy/mystery.
Set to a backdrop of extreme fandom over a show reminiscent of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, transgender/non-binary writer/director Jane Schoenbrun certainly swings for the fences in this thought-provoking, surreal head-trip of a film about the extreme loneliness that results from a life unlived due to shame and fear over one’s own sexual identity. It’s a topic nearly every LGBTQ+ person will encounter at some point in their lives, and as illustrated by Justice Smith’s Owen, for some, their entire lives. The glowing TV symbolizes the discovery of one’s joy from within.
That said, the execution of I Saw the TV Glow leaves a lot to be desired. It is frustratingly slow, clunky and sloppily written, which detracts from the important broader themes of repressed sexuality, societal conformity and loneliness. While many viewers will find it tedious and unrelatable, for the predominantly LGBTQ+ viewers, I Saw the TV Glow is a thought-provoking wakeup call about the importance of living your authentic life.
REEL FACTS
• Trans filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun intentionally hired LGBTQ+ actors Justice Smith (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves) and Brigette Lundy-Paine (Bill & Ted Face the Music, Bombshell) for the lead roles.
• The font used in the credits for the fictional TV show “Pink Opaque” is the same used in the opening credits for Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
• I Saw the TV Glow was an Audience Award nominee at the 2024 SXSW Festival.
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