As a queer millennial who grew up in the mid-90s, I can wholeheartedly relate to the raw emotion and poignant nostalgia that Jane Schoenbrun’s “I Saw the TV Glow” evokes. The film’s transgender allegory resonates deeply with me, as it mirrors my own struggles during my personal transition when finding a sense of belonging seemed like an impossible dream.
On September 20, 2024, Jane Schoenbrun’s movie “I Saw the TV Glow” will make its first appearance, leaving an indelible mark on millennials who grew up in the pre-internet 1990s. This highly praised psychological horror film revolves around two misfit individuals who find a common bond in their fascination for an unusual TV program that captivated their minds during their formative years. The show continues to hold them in its grip as they navigate through adolescence, adulthood, and the search for purpose in their monotonous lives.
Although not conventionally frightening like a typical horror film, “I Saw the TV Glow” offers a haunting journey through nostalgia that might resonate deeply with ’90s millennials who experienced turbulent home lives, had trouble connecting with others, felt lonely and isolated, and found solace in eccentric, non-mainstream media. With a somber, melancholic atmosphere and an undercurrent of sadness and despair, “I Saw the TV Glow” addresses a specific group of viewers who developed an excessive fondness for television characters and the long-term psychological effects this attachment may have had.
What Is I Saw the TV Glow About?
In the realm of filmmaking, “I Saw the TV Glow,” penned and helmed by Jane Schoenbrun for A24, offers an artistic exploration of psychological drama with a touch of supernatural elements. The narrative unfolds in 1996, a time before the widespread internet, which bred a sense of adolescent restlessness. The protagonist, Maddy Wilson, portrayed by Brigette Lundy-Paine, is a solitary and unpopular ninth grader who finds herself captivated by the young adult TV show “The Pink Opaque,” a cheesy sci-fi production about Tara and Isabel, two characters with psychic powers, using their abilities to vanquish evil.
At home, Ian Foreman younger, known as Owen, struggles with his domineering father Frank (Fred Durst) who ridicules him for watching a show considered “girlish.” Despite this, Owen shows interest in the program, The Pink Opaque, hoping to connect with Maddy. Over time, he catches up on over 300 episodes of the series, growing closer to her. A tragic turn of events occurs when his mother passes away, leaving Owen heartbroken. Later, Maddy shares a method for overcoming past traumas, which she used to shield herself from her abusive stepmother’s harm, with Owen.
Eight years since her disappearance, Maddy comes back, asserting that she spent those years within the confines of “The Pink Opaque” TV series, which ended after Season 5. Maddy urges Owen to revisit the final episode, where Tara and Isabel (represented by Maddy and Owen) are shown trapped in a “pocket universe” by a sinister moon-faced character named Mr. Melancholy. Following this, Owen’s world transforms into an otherworldly adventure as the boundaries between truth and fantasy grow hazy.
I Saw The TV Glow Triggers PTSD for Millennials
In essence, my personal take on “I Saw the TV Glow” is a heartfelt exploration of the angst-filled adolescence experienced by ’90s teenagers. With a somber and melancholic atmosphere, the film delves into the raw, yearning desire for authentic, significant relationships, the exhilarating allure of escapism, and the captivating power of falling in love with fictional characters. To flee from their teenage woes such as angst, social estrangement, solitude, loneliness, and crippling boredom, Owen and Maddy find solace in dreaming of abandoning their mundane lives to star in their very own adventure within the TV screen.
In a crucial scene, Tara persuades Owen to simulate being buried alive and reincarnate as a character within “The Pink Opaque,” leading him to tear open his chest to expose the flickering TV light emanating from within his body. This film takes viewers who experienced the ’90s on a nostalgic journey, back to the raw, emotional phase of adolescence where the scarcity of internet interaction and community sparked vivid imaginations. The mix of emo-grunge music, loose clothing, authentic period details such as a Fruitopia machine, and mentions of Estée Lauder can bring back painful memories for some.
These days, it’s much more straightforward to locate groups of people who share similar perspectives. In contrast, establishing a sense of connection and an environment where one could openly express themselves was considerably challenging in the past. For individuals who were subjected to abusive homes or felt unacknowledged by society, the book “I Saw the TV Glow” resonates deeply. Owen and Maddy derive healing comfort from “The Pink Opaque ” and employ their creative minds to reshape their identities in line with how they perceive themselves. For some time, this strategy provides relief, but ultimately, Maddy’s disappearance leaves lasting emotional wounds that Owen must carry throughout his life.
I Saw the TV Glow as Transgender Allegory
Discussing “I Saw the TV Glow” without touching upon its role as a transgender symbol is quite challenging. As confirmed by writer-director Jane Schoenbrun herself, this film carries significant subtext on this theme, as she articulated in her piece for The New Yorker.
TV Glow touches on an experience that many trans individuals can relate to… The struggle between the environment where you feel comfortable, yet fear it may not accommodate your true identity, and the exhilaration and apprehension of recognizing this. I believe that while some people are empathetic towards stories of family alienation, they still crave a resolution or healing process. However, I think this expectation can be harmful to queer individuals, as they do not have control over whether such reconciliation is possible.
Schoenbrun points out that Owen opting not to entomb himself and become ‘The Pink Opaque’ emphasizes the transgender symbolism, stemming from their concerns about living authentically amidst their personal transition. Notably, ‘I Saw the TV Glow’ resonates with more than just transgender millennials who navigated a less accepting, biased society during the mid-’90s. It also captures the existential malaise of misfits across various groups who struggled to find their community during that time.
I Saw the TV Glow is available to stream on Max.
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2024-09-29 04:01