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I Saw the TV Glow 2024

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.

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.

Does I Saw the TV Glow have end credit scenes?

No!

I Saw the TV Glow does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Ratings and Reviews for I Saw the TV Glow

See how I Saw the TV Glow is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where I Saw the TV Glow stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Echo Score

The Movie Echo Score

70

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.

The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for I Saw the TV Glow

85
Echo Score

Art & Craft

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.

65
Echo Score

Character & Emotion

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.

60
Echo Score

Story & Flow

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.

80
Echo Score

Sensory Experience

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.

50
Echo Score

Rewatch Factor

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.

Metacritic

86

Metascore

6.1

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

84%

TOMATOMETER

review

70%

User Score

IMDb

5.8 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

60

%

User Score

Letterboxd

3.5

From 21K fan ratings

Movie Insider

2.00/5

From 1 fan rating

Take the Ultimate I Saw the TV Glow Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of I Saw the TV Glow with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


I Saw the TV Glow Quiz: Test your knowledge of the film 'I Saw the TV Glow' with this 10-question quiz.

What year does Owen first encounter Maddy?

Awards & Nominations for I Saw the TV Glow

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Discover all the awards and nominations received by I Saw the TV Glow, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how I Saw the TV Glow and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.


40th Independent Spirit Awards 2025

Nomination

Best Feature

Jane Schoenbrun
Nomination

Best Director

Jane Schoenbrun
Justice Smith
Nomination

Best Lead Performance

Justice Smith
Nomination

Best Supporting Performance

Jane Schoenbrun
Nomination

Best Screenplay

Jane Schoenbrun

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for I Saw the TV Glow

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Read the complete plot summary of I Saw the TV Glow, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


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.

However, just two years later, tragedy struck when Owen faced the grim reality of his mother Brenda battling a terminal illness. With his father’s disapproving views on “The Pink Opaque,” dismissing it as a mere “show for girls,” and an early bedtime curfew weighing down on him, Owen struggled to keep up with the series. Maddy, in a display of compassion, began recording episodes for Owen, ensuring he wouldn’t miss a single moment.

As his mother’s condition deteriorated, Owen became increasingly isolated, unable to share his love for the series with anyone, including his father Frank. This loneliness triggered him to reach out to Maddy; she confided her own pain, revealing the harsh rumors that had marginalized her at school—a false allegation concerning Amanda. When Owen confronted his own feelings, he admitted to Maddy that he was uncertain about his sexual identity, hinting at the turmoil brewing within him. Meanwhile, Maddy faced her own demons, enduring abuse from her stepfather.

Time marched on, bringing Owen more heartache with his mother’s passing and the abrupt cancellation of “The Pink Opaque” after five seasons, leaving him to grapple with the bittersweet transience of joy. A decade later, still under his father’s oppressive presence, Owen worked at a local theater to survive. When Maddy appeared once more, her tear-smeared face told a story of despair as she shared her aspirations to leave her troubled past behind. Yet, as fate would have it, Owen faltered and she slipped away into the night.

Years dragged on, suffocating Owen under the weight of his monotonous life. One pivotal evening, Maddy returned, beckoning him back to the enchanting realm of “The Pink Opaque.” This encounter reignited memories of the show’s devastating finale, where Owen realized his own mortality and the urgent need to confront reality. As the credits rolled, desperation consumed him as he thrust his head through the TV screen in a fervent plea for liberation from his dreary existence. Frank rushed to rescue him, only for Owen to scream, “This isn’t my home! You’re not my father!” before regurgitating luna juice, echoing the dark magic that had ensnared Isabel and Tara in the show’s closing moments.

The haunting solitude of her troubled past lingered with Maddy in arid Phoenix, Arizona, as she sought refuge amidst the banalities of a mall job. In a moment of desperation, she devised a chilling plan to pay an unidentified figure to bury her alive, an act of rebirth that would ultimately transform her consciousness into Tara. She insisted that their current predicament was merely an ephemeral moment in Mr. Melancholy’s mysterious midnight realm, where time’s grasp contorted the mind.

With unwavering resolve, Maddy returned to save Owen from a fate similar to hers. Yet, her earnest pleas fell on deaf ears as he reconfirmed his retreat from vulnerability, leaving her in perpetual obscurity. The uncertainty of what lay ahead haunted him, whispering promises of an alternate existence, almost within reach.

Time proved to be merciless; it soon claimed Frank after a debilitating stroke, leaving Owen to live on in the shadows of memories within their family home. He claimed to have discovered solace in this new phase of life, adorned with the innocence of children. Amidst the monotony of working at a family entertainment center, he stumbled upon “The Pink Opaque” on a streaming platform, only to find it had devolved into a quaint and childish rendition.

Two decades elapsed, leaving Owen’s body weary from chronic asthma and the heavy burden of sorrow. During a birthday occasion at the same entertainment center, the emotional dam within him burst, revealing a soul grappling with mortality, expressing his fears of succumbing to death itself. As he cried out, his pleas were met with unsettling indifference from the guests and co-workers. In a state of despair, he isolated himself in the bathroom, resorting to self-mutilation, revealing a glowing TV screen nestled within his chest.

Embracing his grotesque fixation, Owen emerged from the shadows, offering insincere apologies for his outburst, attributing it to recent medication changes. Unaware of his profound struggle, the partygoers continued their festivities, leaving Owen to face the abyss that enveloped his existence.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for I Saw the TV Glow

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from I Saw the TV Glow. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Official Trailer

Official Preview

This Is What Dying Feels Like

Do You Like Girls?

There's Still Time

Anybody here can relate? Just me?

Official Featurette

Jane Schoenbrun introduces I Saw the TV Glow

Jane Schoenbrun on I Saw the TV Glow

Sarah Winshall (I SAW THE TV GLOW) Wins the Producers Award | 2025 Spirit Awards

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


teenagerreference to buffy the vampire slayertelevison showamerican teenagersbreaking the fourth walllovesupernatural worldsupernatural tv showhighschoolteenage protagonist1990snon binary directoroverallsflashbackvideotapetitle directed by femalecotton candywritten by directorafrican americansupermarketwatching tvbeating heartlesbian teenage girlmissing girlpoisonedbirthdaydark roomburied aliveyear 1998eight years laterreference to build a bear workshopseventh gradersleepovertwo years lateryear 1996inhalertwenty years laterbirthday partyninth gradertransgender characterlesbian characterlgbtq filmdark fantasysuspense mysterypsychological horrorsupernatural fantasycoming of age dramaonline voyeurism

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