I Saw the TV Glow

Director: Jane Schoenbrun

14 June 2024

See

Owen (Ian Foreman as a young teenager and played by Justice Smith all grown up) and Maddy (Brigette Lundy-Paine) click over their shared curiosity and love of series The Pink Opaque, a kitsch nineties TV show that’s about two supernaturally linked teenagers Tara )Lindsey Jordan) and Isabel (Helena Howard). When the show is canceled Maddy mysteriously disappears. 

Think

Have you ever loved a series so much you wanted to enter that world? For me it was Halt and Catch Fire, a drama about tech pioneers Joe (Lee Pace), Cameron (Mackenzie Davis), Gordon (Scoot McNairy) and Donna (Kerry Bische) in the Eighties. Set in Texas and Silicon Valley over four seasons, I related to the characters and the alluring tension of it being simultaneously retro nostalgic and progressively looking ahead to the new millennium and dis/connect of the world wide web. That’s how Maddy feels, and I think Owen was curious to follow her enthusiasm.

Feel

Reminiscent of The Leftovers, The O.A., Stranger Things and Twin peaks, as well as 90s supernatural shows with monsters of the week and a big baddie, I can see the appeal of being a teen seeing yourself reflected on screen while searching for answers. Would you enter that world if you could? THe screening of the final episode switched from V.H.S aesthetic to a more A24 style. Disturbing but brilliantly shot footage. And best of all was Maddy’s monologue, more descriptive and imaginative than one could ever depict. As usual A24’s neon blue and pink tones on Owen and Maddty’s skin was sumptuous.