Welcome to Knockout Horror. I’m still catching up on recent horror and today’s movie is Jane Schoenbrun’s I Saw the TV Glow. Yesterday I reviewed the third entry into the Maxine Minx series MaXXXine and described it as the least horror related movie I had ever reviewed. Well, it only took a day but MaXXXine is about to pass that privilege across to I Saw the TV Glow.
I am actually completely confused as to how this movie keeps being described as horror. Sure, there are nods to the genre and you could argue that some of the subject matter is subjectively horrifying to the characters themselves. But this really isn’t a horror in any meaningful way. I Saw the TV Glow could, probably, best be described as a coming of age drama.
The story follows a pair of troubled teenagers, Owen (Justice Smith) and Maddy (Brigette Lundy-Paine), who bond over their love of a kid’s horror television show called The Pink Opaque. As time goes on and the pair grow. The show begins to make them question their identities and whether the reality they experience is actually reality at all.
Genuinely Touching
The horror tag throws a splash of cold water on what is, at its heart, a touching and quite poignant drama movie. It is almost difficult to describe because, despite the characters aging through multiple decades, the story is quite self contained. The slightly linear focus on the two characters makes for a fairly restricted world but the story is no less interesting for that.
Owen is a bit of a loner. Socially awkward, he claims to feel as though something about him is not quite right. Maddy is more open with her own identity. Aware of, at least, her sexuality. She is also rather socially awkward and has a troubled homelife. This is a dynamic that millions of kids around the world experience. Everybody knows people like Maddy and Owen and both of their characters are well crafted and believable.
It is their journey of self discovery, or lack thereof, that plays centre stage. With the subject of the television show they both enjoy representing a shared experience between the pair. While also acting as a metaphor for the conflict inside them. I Saw The TV Glow offers viewers a window into a world they may never experience while also acting as a mirror reflecting the struggles that are a reality for so many. For the most part, it is genuinely captivating stuff. Often touching and definitely memorable. The final scenes of the movie are quite powerful and likely to stick with you after watching.
Heavily Metaphorical
Naturally, there is a hell of a lot of metaphor here. Whether that is an artistic choice or a reflection of the sad fact that a movie about this subject would receive less interest if not presented in a metaphorical manner is up for debate. But it is no less effective, either way. This is, at its core, a story that will be relatable to many. Just slightly hidden by some thinly veiled story elements.
Owen and Maddy’s homelives are both complicated and their reactions to these home lives are distinctly different. I Saw The TV Glow does a nice job of presenting two different sides to coping with these issues. For many viewers, this story will likely feel foreign and almost unrecognisable. But, for others, it will be like Schoenbrun is staring through a window into their world and writing their reality. I Saw the TV Glow is an empathetic and understanding ear and a depiction of a tale repeated every day.
Schoenbrun shines a light on the horrible truth that there is no easy way to approach issues of sexuality and gender identity. You will potentially be rejected by some, abused by others, or simply not accepted. The only other options are to either run away or conform to the assumed societal norms and live a lie; realising, one day, that you have been living in hell for your entire life. I have LGBTQ+ family members and friends and I know that this has been their reality. Even gaining “acceptance” isn’t the end of the story as the cycle repeats day in and day out.
Stylish and Fairly Well Acted
I Saw The TV Glow is stylish and fairly atypical. Much of the movie features an effectively presented 90’s chic that looks fantastic. There’s an almost video game feel to some of the scenes. Especially considering the occasional breaking of the fourth wall to provide narrative. I almost felt like I was watching a live action version of Life is Strange, at times. I am sure plenty of 90’s kids will appreciate the Buffy the Vampire Slayer nods, here and there. The frequent use of neon lighting is a fun aesthetic touch, as well.
Acting is okay. My only exposure to Justice Smith was in the horror video game The Quarry. I really didn’t enjoy his performance, or his character, in that game. He is very monotone and I think his acting style is, probably, a bit marmite. Justice is pitching his voice higher here, perhaps given the subject matter, and it is quite noticeable and a bit awkward. He really comes along later on in the movie, though. Ian Foreman was fantastic as a younger version of Owen. Brigette Lundy-Paine does a nice job as Maddy. Their performance was understated but legitimately powerful in parts.
Worth Mentioning
It would be remiss of me to not point out, once again, that this really isn’t a horror movie. Horror fans looking to be scared may be very disappointed. While a good film with a touching story. There is little here for anyone looking for strictly frights. Pacing, presentation, and some of the dialogue delivery may be off putting for some. The breaking of the fourth wall is always something that divides people and it is no different here. There is a lot of exposition regarding character’s inner feelings, as well, that is, perhaps, unneeded.
It’s hard to shake the feeling that the pieces here don’t always fit. Certain scenes can feel poorly joined and this impacts the overall flow of the movie. The use of the television show as a metaphor feels vague, at best. Almost like you would need the concept explaining a few times to truly understand what the writer was going for. I really disliked the score and there are a number of missteps regarding this.
Music is far too prominent in the audio mix and there are a couple of scenes where we are forced to endure, almost, entire songs performed on stage, in a club, by the actual bands. It’s the kind of thing you would see in an anthology short where the director wants to feature their band. It is very awkward and out of place. Certain scenes play out like a stage show monologue, complete with spotlight, and I didn’t think this style of presentation worked all that well. The movie is ultra slow, as well, which is likely not an issue for many but will be for some.
Should You Watch I Saw The TV Glow?
It really depends on what you are looking for. If you are looking for a horror movie, don’t even bother watching I Saw The TV Glow. It is simply not a horror and there are nowhere near enough horror elements to keep you interested. If you are looking for a touching and poignant coming of age story about gender identity then you should definitely watch I Saw The TV Glow. This feels like a worthy entry into the LGBTQ+ meta and does a nice job highlighting, via metaphor, the very real situation that many people go through in their lives. It has its issues but there is a hell of a lot to like here.
