Despite being hailed as a “future classic”by critics, this 2024 horror movie has received a more mixed reaction from horror fans, with many choosing to stop watching halfway through.
This year has been quite eventful for horror films. Despite the occasional flops (such as the surprise hit Tarot on Netflix), there have been numerous standouts: Sting, Late Night with the Devil, The First Omen, A Quiet Place: Day One, and especially Longlegs.
Although there may be differing opinions, I Saw the TV Glow is, in the writer’s humble opinion, the best movie of the year. Under the direction of Jane Schoenbrun, it serves as a trans allegory for the Goosebumps and creepypasta generation, reminiscent of a coming-of-age Candle Cove with the emotional depth of a Phoebe Bridgers song. It may sound daunting, but the film is both perplexing and emotionally impactful.
In the film, Owen (Justice Smith) is introduced to a strange and captivating late-night TV show called The Pink Opaque by his classmate (Brigette Lundy-Paine). This show is the follow-up to the director’s debut feature, We’re All Going to the World’s Fair, which is the first installment in their “Screen Trilogy.”
Ever since its digital release in the US, those who were unable to see it in theaters have been watching it… and it has left some viewers feeling “challenged.”
Upon finding and starting this film, I was immediately drawn in by its vibrant colors and aesthetic, which seemed to align perfectly with my personal preferences. However, my disappointment grew as I found myself losing interest and ultimately unable to finish it. I stopped halfway through and never returned to it, as expressed by a Redditor on a thread discussing the movie.
Similar experiences have been shared by others. One individual expressed, “I didn’t find any enjoyment in the first 40 minutes and turned it off.”Another user also had difficulty and did not complete it, but plans to finish it in the future.
Despite constantly waiting for something to occur, I couldn’t help but notice that the majority of the attention was on the dialogue. This isn’t necessarily a negative aspect, but as you mentioned, the trailer portrays a different film. However, after reading a comment about the ending, I have become even more intrigued.
One person wrote, “Although it wasn’t a terrible movie, it didn’t match the expectations set by the trailer. As a result, I found it difficult to become fully engaged, as I was anticipating the promised horror to kick in.”
It is crucial to note that this is not a typical horror film. While there are certainly frightening elements that I still remember vividly, the movie also incorporates science fiction and adolescent drama. In fact, one fan even compared it to the acclaimed Donnie Darko, which I believe is an accurate comparison.
A different fan managed to summarize it better than I ever could: “A queer, existential, and dystopian tragedy set in a neon 90s world, surrounded by the disillusionment of late Gen X and early Millennials.”
Regarding the conclusion… we won’t give away any details, but it’s quite impactful.
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