Reel Review Roundup

I Saw The TV Glow (MA)

Directed by: Jane Schoenbrun

Starring: Justice Smith, Brigette Lundy-Paine, Ian Foreman

Review by: Julian Wright

Two outcasts bond over their shared love for a late-night television show in a deeply relatable story about the power of pop-culture.

Twelve-year old Owen (Ian Foreman) is a quiet kid without any friends, who spots 14-year-old Maddy (Brigette Lundy-Paine), a fellow introvert, reading an episode guide of late-night teen sci-fi television show The Pink Opaque.

The late time-slot prevents Owen from watching the show but his fascination and curiosity is fuelled by Maddy’s passion.

The two organise for Owen to watch it one night at her house, and so begins a years-long unlikely friendship and bond over this cult-hit show.

Anyone who spent hours theorising over The X-Files episodes, caught a quirky late-night program and discussed it with school mates, obsessed over Buffy, or exchanged theories on message boards will get a kick out of this on-screen representation.

I Saw The TV Glow recognises and celebrates fans of cult film and TV and understands the bond created between fans, who find escape in their favourite show.

What begins as a beautiful story about a friendship blossoming between two outcasts segues into a very surreal, David Lynchian experience that slowly loses some of the impact of what it initially sets up.

It’s deliberately slow pace is at times challenging, but as this heads into unusual and unpredictable territory, it is hard to disengage from this journey

While the later stages of the story do not match those that precede them, I Saw The TV Glow is a worthy trip into the beauty of pop-culture.

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