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Drama horror film

I Saw the TV Glow (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

I Saw the TV Glow (2024) movie poster

I Saw the TV Glow is a 2024 drama horror film directed by Jane Schoenbrun, starring Justice Smith as Owen, Brigette Lundy-Paine and Helena Howard. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes and earned $5.4 million worldwide on a $10 million budget. It earned 5 award nominations, including Best Director at the Spirit Awards 2025. Critics gave it 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 86 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10.

IMDb rating
5.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
85%
worldwide gross
$5.4M
award nominations
5
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I Saw the TV Glow (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 40m (100 min)
Director
Jane Schoenbrun
Genres
Drama , Horror
Original language
English
Studio
A24
Budget
$10M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is I Saw the TV Glow About?

The premise of I Saw the TV Glow without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A teenager named Owen finds his perception of reality unraveling as he becomes increasingly obsessed with a mysterious late-night television program. The show’s unsettling imagery and cryptic messages seem to bleed into his everyday life, blurring the line between the real world and a disturbing alternate reality. As Owen’s connection to the program deepens, he descends into a state of uncertainty and escalating fear.

I Saw the TV Glow Themes & Keywords

· 48 tags
  • teenager
  • reference to buffy the vampire slayer
  • televison show
  • american teenagers
  • breaking the fourth wall
  • love
  • supernatural world
  • supernatural tv show
  • highschool
  • teenage protagonist
  • 1990s
  • non binary director
+36 more
  • overalls
  • flashback
  • videotape
  • title directed by female
  • cotton candy
  • written by director
  • african american
  • supermarket
  • watching tv
  • beating heart
  • lesbian teenage girl
  • missing girl
  • poisoned
  • birthday
  • dark room
  • buried alive
  • year 1998
  • eight years later
  • reference to build a bear workshop
  • seventh grader
  • sleepover
  • two years later
  • year 1996
  • inhaler
  • twenty years later
  • birthday party
  • ninth grader
  • transgender character
  • lesbian character
  • lgbtq film
  • dark fantasy
  • suspense mystery
  • psychological horror
  • supernatural fantasy
  • coming of age drama
  • online voyeurism
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Cast & crew

I Saw the TV Glow Cast & Characters

Justice Smith leads the cast as Owen, with Brigette Lundy-Paine as Maddy and Helena Howard as Isabel. Directed by Jane Schoenbrun; 20 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in I Saw the TV Glow

· 16 more
From the director

More from Jane Schoenbrun

More films directed by Jane Schoenbrun, best-rated first: Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, We're All Going to the World's Fair and A Self-Induced Hallucination.

Full filmography
Ratings

I Saw the TV Glow Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave I Saw the TV Glow 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 86 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (50).

70 /100

I Saw the TV Glow Echo Score Breakdown

The film offers a distinctive and visually striking exploration of identity and dread, with direction and atmosphere often cited as its strongest elements. Viewers have commended its fresh and unsettling approach, noting its capacity to generate lasting impressions. At the same time, its deliberate pacing and narrative ambiguity have divided audiences, leading to mixed reactions on engagement and clarity. While the film stands out for its bold stylistic choices, its uneven rhythm and introspective mood may limit broader appeal.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of art direction and craft, the film demonstrates precise framing and production design that evoke an oppressive suburban setting. The cinematography delivers a cohesive sense of unease, and deliberate editing choices support the slow-building tension. These visual strengths underscore the director’s measured approach, resulting in a compelling aesthetic experience.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    When it comes to character depth and emotion, performances are frequently noted for their intensity and authenticity. Many commend the nuanced portrayals that convey internal turmoil and resonance. However, some responses highlight underdeveloped relationships and a lack of sustained chemistry, which undercuts emotional investment. Overall, the film presents strong moments of feeling but uneven character engagement.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of story and flow, the film’s originality and reluctance to conform to genre conventions are clear strengths, providing unexpected thematic depth. The deliberate pacing and enigmatic narrative structure foster reflection but can also feel opaque and slow for some viewers. This uneven momentum leads to both admiration for its ambition and frustration over coherence.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    When it comes to sensory experience, the score and sound design establish a pervasive sense of dread, complemented by an understated yet effective visual palette. The atmosphere is immersive, with audio-visual elements working in tandem to heighten tension. A few have found these choices overindulgent, yet the overall impact remains powerfully evocative.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film’s layered storytelling and atmospheric detail reward close attention and contemplation. Its thematic richness and subtle visual motifs may reveal new elements on subsequent viewings. Nevertheless, the deliberate tempo and dense ambiguity may deter repeated watches for some, resulting in a moderate appeal for those seeking high replay value.

Plot

I Saw the TV Glow Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in I Saw the TV Glow from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 1996, a timid seventh grader named Owen found an unexpected connection with Maddy, a ninth grader, when he stumbled upon her deeply engaged in an episode guide for the young adult show “The Pink Opaque.” The series depicted the psychic journeys of Isabel and Tara, as they battled against the sinister forces commanded by the shadowy figure known as Mr. Melancholy. Captivated by the allure of the show, Owen seized the opportunity to sneak over to Maddy’s house to watch an episode with her and her friend Amanda.

Full summary

The whole story of I Saw the TV Glow, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

I Saw the TV Glow Box Office & Budget

I Saw the TV Glow grossed $5.4 million worldwide on a $10 million budget, 54% of what it cost. $5 million came from the US and Canada and $405,153 (7%) from the rest of the world.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$5.4M

54% of its budget back

US & Canada
$5M
International
$405.2K
Budget
$10M
US & Canada 93% Rest of the world 7%
Awards

I Saw the TV Glow Awards & Nominations

I Saw the TV Glow earned 5 award nominations, including Best Director at the Spirit Awards 2025.

5 nominations1 ceremony

Videos

I Saw the TV Glow Trailers & Videos

10 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser, 4 clips and 4 featurettes.

All 10 videos
Official Trailer
  • Teaser Anybody here can relate? Just me?
  • Clip Official Preview
  • Clip This Is What Dying Feels Like
  • Clip Do You Like Girls?
Quiz

How Well Do You Know I Saw the TV Glow?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What year does Owen first encounter Maddy?

Details

I Saw the TV Glow Also Known As

26 alternative titles, including “Я видел свечение телевизора” and “我看到电视发光”.

Also known as
  • Я видел свечение телевизора
  • 我看到电视发光
  • J'ai vu la télé briller
  • 아이 쏘우 더 티비 글로우
  • Я видел свет телевизора
  • El brillo de la televisión
  • ראיתי את זוהר הטלוויזיה
  • ראיתי את הטלוויזיה זוהרת
  • Osvícení televizí
  • Vi el brillo del televisor
  • Eu Vi o Brilho da TV
  • Tôi Thấy TV Bừng Sáng
+14 more
  • Ragyogj TV, ragyogj
  • 荧屏在发光
  • Světlo v bedně
  • Я бачив світло телевізора
  • 怪奇粉紅物語
  • 빛나는 TV를 보았다
  • Aš mačiau švytintį televizorių
  • Televizyon Işıl Işıldı
  • จิตจ้องจอ
  • W blasku ekranu
  • Ho visto la TV brillare
  • Видях светлината на телевизора
  • Видео сам сјај телевизора
  • Είδα τη λάμψη της τηλεόρασης

Seen I Saw the TV Glow?

FAQ

I Saw the TV Glow FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of I Saw the TV Glow, each answered in a sentence.

How long is I Saw the TV Glow?

I Saw the TV Glow runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).

When was I Saw the TV Glow released?

I Saw the TV Glow was released on May 3, 2024.

Who directed I Saw the TV Glow?

I Saw the TV Glow was directed by Jane Schoenbrun.

More films by Jane Schoenbrun

Who is in the cast of I Saw the TV Glow?

I Saw the TV Glow stars Justice Smith as Owen, Brigette Lundy-Paine as Maddy and Helena Howard as Isabel, among 20 credited actors.

How much did I Saw the TV Glow make at the box office?

I Saw the TV Glow grossed $5.4 million worldwide ($5 million domestic, $405,153 international) on a budget of $10 million.

How is I Saw the TV Glow rated?

I Saw the TV Glow has 5.8/10 on IMDb, 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, 86 on Metacritic and 62% on TMDB.

Was I Saw the TV Glow nominated for any awards?

I Saw the TV Glow received 5 nominations across 1 ceremony.

Does I Saw the TV Glow have a post-credit scene?

No. I Saw the TV Glow has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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