X

In Theaters Now

2024
PG-13
A24
1 h 40 m

2024
PG-13
A24
1 h 40 m

Summary 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.

Directed By: Jane Schoenbrun

Written By: Jane Schoenbrun

In Theaters Now

2024
PG-13
A24
1 h 40 m

2024
PG-13
A24
1 h 40 m

I Saw the TV Glow

Metascore Universal Acclaim Based on 30 Critic Reviews

84

User Score Generally Favorable Based on 28 User Ratings

6.1

My Score

Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary 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.

Directed By: Jane Schoenbrun

Written By: Jane Schoenbrun

Where to Watch

Critic Reviews

Metascore

Universal Acclaim Based on 30 Critic Reviews

83% Positive
25 Reviews

17% Mixed
5 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

Metascore

Universal Acclaim Based on 30 Critic Reviews

83% Positive
25 Reviews

17% Mixed
5 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

San Francisco Chronicle

May 11, 2024

The suburban world Owen and Maddy feel so out of sync with, seen mostly at night, flickers with blue, magenta and sickly green light. It’s unnerving, yet mesmerizing, like a small-screen nightmare that won’t let your psyche go.

By Bob Strauss FULL REVIEW

Jan 24, 2024

In capturing the trans experience with language that only cinema can convey, Schoenbrun has crafted one of the most original, evocative, adventurous films of this decade.

By Jordan Raup FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

User Score

Generally Favorable Based on 28 User Ratings

57% Positive
16 Ratings

11% Mixed
3 Ratings

32% Negative
9 Ratings

User Reviews

User Score

Generally Favorable Based on 28 User Ratings

57% Positive
16 Ratings

11% Mixed
3 Ratings

32% Negative
9 Ratings

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

May 10, 2024

Jane Schoenbrun's off-handedly revolutionary mindbender about two teens bonding over a sci-fi TV series isn't always easy to get your head and heart around. But hold on for its incendiary daring, its willingness to go for broke. Schoenbrun is a trans game-changer. They make us believe.

By Peter Travers FULL REVIEW

Apr 9, 2024

I Saw the TV Glow is both a musing on the way entertainment (and screens in particular) will step in to fill the gaps left by poor emotional regulation and support from those who are supposed to help children grow and thrive to become capable, fully-realized adults and how exclusively escaping into worlds of fiction rather than fighting the very real monsters of the week in your own mind will only hold you back.

By BJ Colangelo FULL REVIEW

Jan 19, 2024

I Saw the TV Glow is bold, unhinged, extremely unusual, and also kind of magnificent—a daring step forward for Schoenbrun as a filmmaker, and a film that will certainly divide audiences not sure what the hell to make of it.

By Ross Bonaime FULL REVIEW

May 11, 2024

Not every story needs to follow the hero’s journey, but it’s a bold choice to craft a main character who does nothing but reject the call to adventure. Poignant? Perhaps. Entertaining? Less so.

By Leigh Monson FULL REVIEW

Feb 19, 2024

The film is a mesmeric but frequently muddled exploration of transgender self-actualization.

By Marshall Shaffer FULL REVIEW

See All 30 Critic Reviews

Details

Production Company A24, Fruit Tree, Smudge Films, Hypnic Jerk Productions, Access Entertainment

Release Date May 3, 2024

Duration 1 h 40 m

Rating PG-13

Genres

View All Details

Awards

Berlin International Film Festival

• 2 Nominations

SXSW Film Festival

• 1 Nomination

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