“I Saw the TV Glow” is a modern horror. This cerebral horror relies more on vibes, sensations, and ideas to scare rather than using jumpscares, as tradition has accustomed us.
I am a bit exhausted from the wave of cerebral horror; the annual releases of films like “Midsommar” and “Hereditary” have tired me. I wanted something more visceral and classic, so I initially set aside recommendations for “I Saw the TV Glow”.
Needless to say, I was wrong. Although Jane Schoenbrun’s new film didn’t give me what I was looking for in a horror movie, it gave me something better: it made me think.
What to Expect When You Expect Nothing
“I Saw the TV Glow” tells the story of Owen, a shy and reclusive 12-year-old who befriends the also reclusive Maddy through their shared interest in the TV show “The Pink Opaque”. They see themselves reflected in the show, and as the years go by, it becomes an increasingly central part of their lives, their relationship, and even how their identities. Until one day, Maddy decides to leave, leaving Owen alone. Alone to deal with all the problems that abound in his life, in his house, and in his head… That is, until one day, ten years later, Maddy reappears in Owen’s life, proclaiming that she was inside the world of “The Pink Opaque” and that Owen must return with her to save the show they love.
This is the most concise summary that can be constructed without delving into spoilers and details. Needless to say, it’s a fairly standard plot for the horror genre, but far from falling into clichés, “I Saw the TV Glow” starts from this common ground to explore unusual ideas in the genre.
Before moving on to a more in-depth analysis of the film, I want to highlight that much of what is achieved here is largely due to the extraordinary work of the cast and production. Justice Smith stands out in particular; although he had never been my favorite (especially after the abysmal “Detective Pikachu”), he carries the film excellently on his shoulders, managing to move and unsettle the audience through the film.
On the other hand, the script and direction by Jane Schoenbrun leave marks on the retinas of those who watch this film and new ideas for those willing to hear what it says. A triumphant effort without a doubt. Highly recommended… although it’s not for everyone.
Proud Cinema
Yes, as you read, “I Saw the TV Glow” is a film with a strong LGBT subtext (or rather text, because it’s obvious for anyone with eyes). The entire movie can be understood as an allegory of transition, but making that “transition” universal.
Although the filmmakers interpret the film as an allegory of gender transition, it can be easily extrapolated to any situation where we transition from one stage to another. Where we must grow and change to become our best version. However, for whatever reason (whether internal or external), we don’t, as the movie shows.
It is precisely in this clash between the unconscious urge to change and the fear of that change (of the unknown, of everything we don’t know about that change) where the uncommon terror of the film is born… And it doesn’t stop there. It doubles down: “What would happen if I know I need to change, but I never do? What would my life be like? How miserable would it be…?” This is where the film explores real horror. Being trapped in a body, in an existence, that is not one’s own (nor desired), but a mere reflection we present to the world, living without truly living, knowing that the truth is inside, deep inside. Knowing that we are spectators of our own life at that point, like watching a series where the protagonist resembles us, but not enough to be us, like watching “The Pink Opaque” on TV… The real terror of “I Saw the TV Glow” is not death; it is living without knowing oneself.
A cruel fate indeed, perfectly portrayed in the only truly terrifying scene of the film, a scene near the end that will stay in the minds of many.
I will only say to watch “I Saw the TV Glow” if you know very well who you are and avoid it if you only think you know who you are.
There is still time (Something More Personal)
There is another central theme in the story besides “self-discovery” that has resonated a bit more with me.
In the film, Owen and Maddy bond through “The Pink Opaque” (A fictional teenage series designed in the style of “Goosebumps” or “Tales from the Crypt” intended to draw those who grew up in the 90s into the film world). Through it, they discover things about themselves, understand each other, and can put into words aspects of their lives that would otherwise be difficult. In that sense, the secondary theme of “I Saw the TV Glow” is the relationship we have with the stories we consume and how they shape us, and in turn, we shape those stories. Now, speaking as someone who, for most of his youth (and to this day as well), has related to others through movies, series, video games, and anime, I felt like the movie pointed a finger at me and said: “That’s you.”
I saw myself reflected in Owen and Maddy, they were watching on TV what they thought, feeling that they were finally understood, and then seeing each other to know that even if they couldn’t put how they felt into words, the other understood because of what they had watched together.
That was the case for years and years for me. They (filmmakers, writers, etc) have said it better; they understood me more than I understood myself.
Or at least that’s how I felt. Of course, as you grow up, you understand the value of your words, your opinions, and your feelings, and you start to relate more authentically with others and with the stories that bring you closer to others. But I can’t help but think that I used those stories to distance those who wanted to get close to me, like putting up a random barrier to entry.
Big teenage nonsense, which in retrospect was useless, just to shield me from change, to be comfortable in my shell, in my prefabricated world of illusions.
Do you remember “Prison Break”? That Fox series about an engineer trying to break his brother out of prison and blah blah blah… Well, I watched it religiously on Fox (Old guy here, I know), but I couldn’t discuss it with anyone, nobody watched it (Who would, right? It was crap, especially after the first season) until one day a schoolmate started talking to me about it after hearing me talk about the Scofield brothers’ soap opera.
To be honest, I don’t remember much of the series, but I remember eagerly waiting to know what she thought about the episode of the week and waiting for those 5 minutes of chat…
Sadly, The chat never went beyond that. I didn’t know why at the time, but now I do… God, how right my grandmother was, “Experience is a comb they give you when you go bald”… I was protecting myself; I was afraid, afraid of change (in this case, the change in the relationship from a casual conversation to whatever might happen if I just asked “What other thing are you watching right now?” or “Are you doing something after school?”), afraid of the transition… I would even say I was afraid to act on a desire (like Owen).
In “I Saw the TV Glow”, Owen watches “The Pink Opaque” after years and finds it trash, plain and simple. Something similar happened to me with “Prison Break”. Not so with the memory the series left me, how it taught me something small about myself, which, no matter how small, turns a series as forgettable as “Prison Break” into a part of me, of my story, and of who I am.
I just wanted to share this with you, and yes, now I talk about more things than just series and movies.
