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I Saw the TV Glow

I Saw the TV Glow is a 2024 American psychological horror drama film written and directed by Jane Schoenbrun.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

I Saw the TV Glow is a 2024 American psychological horror drama film written and directed by Jane Schoenbrun. It stars Justice Smith and Jack Haven as two teenagers whose bond over a mysterious television show leads them to question reality and identity.

Plot

The film follows teenagers Owen and Maddy, who bond over a late-night television show. As their attachment deepens, the show’s influence begins to blur the line between fiction and reality.

Production and release

I Saw the TV Glow was written and directed by Jane Schoenbrun and released in 2024. It reached theatres in the spring of 2024 and later became available on streaming and video-on-demand platforms.

Themes

Critics and reviewers have described the film as exploring identity, sexuality, belonging, and the discomfort of living between versions of oneself. Its horror elements are tied closely to emotional and psychological unease.

Reception

The film drew attention for its unusual style and its blend of horror, drama, and coming-of-age elements. Reviews frequently noted its unsettling atmosphere and its focus on queer and trans themes.

Key facts

  • The film is written and directed by Jane Schoenbrun.
  • It centres on two troubled teenagers and their connection to a fictional television series called The Pink Opaque.
  • The story explores identity, reality, and belonging.
  • The film stars Justice Smith and Jack Haven, with Brigette Lundy-Paine in a major supporting role.
  • It was released in 2024 and is commonly described as a psychological horror drama.
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Canadian context

The film has screened for Canadian audiences through its international theatrical and streaming rollout, and it may be of interest to Canadian viewers for its queer and trans themes and its critical reception in anglophone film coverage.

Frequently asked questions

What is I Saw the TV Glow about?
It follows two teenagers who bond over a mysterious television show, and whose sense of reality and identity begins to unravel over time.
Who directed I Saw the TV Glow?
The film was directed by Jane Schoenbrun.
Who stars in the film?
The lead cast includes Justice Smith and Jack Haven, with Brigette Lundy-Paine and Helena Howard in supporting roles.
What genre is the film?
It is generally described as a psychological horror drama.
When was it released?
I Saw the TV Glow was released in 2024.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Saw_the_TV_Glow
    Supports: Basic film identification, year, genre, director, writer, and cast.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/i_saw_the_tv_glow
    Supports: Synopsis, genre labels, rating, and release dates.
  3. NPR — https://www.npr.org/2024/05/14/1197964549/i-saw-the-tv-glow-is-weird-and-transfixing
    Supports: Plot outline and themes.
  4. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/i-saw-the-tv-glow-film-review-2024
    Supports: Critical discussion of plot, themes, and character dynamics.
  5. Apple TV — https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/i-saw-the-tv-glow/umc.cmc.242rbnzf6nayp7azafo3z8jck
    Supports: Runtime, cast, director, and synopsis.