I Saw the TV Glow

Plot Summary 

Owen (Justice Smith) is a quiet and awkward teen with few friends, an abusive father, and a sick mother. Then he meets Maddy (Jack Haven), a girl at school who introduces him to the show The Pink Opaque, a horror fantasy show along the lines of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and X Files starring two girls who have a psychic connection. The problem is that the show airs at 10:30 and Owen has a 10:00 bedtime. To finally watch it, he sneaks out to go to Maddy’s house, and he’s introduced to his new favorite show of all time. But little does he know that this show is more personal to him than he realizes. 

Critical Evaluation

I Saw the TV Glow is a metaphor for the transgender experience, exploring the concepts of being in the wrong body, experiencing euphoria in gendered clothing, and the deep desire to fit into society. The movie's use of this metaphor has been discussed by transpeople and cispeople alike, and it’s been confirmed by the director (Boone, 2024). I was excited to watch it as the concept and the plot sounded interesting. The idea that real life is a dream and that you’re actually a trapped TV character is something that I’ve wondered and hoped and dreamt of at different stages of my life. Plus, I’ve been wanting to consume more trans stories and narratives. But I spent most of the movie feeling bored. 

Despite the beautiful cinematography filled with blues and pinks (once again, very trans-coded) and brief moments of unsettling horror, my experience reflected the apathy and melancholy of Owen (first played by Ian Foreman and then Justice Smith). It wasn’t until Maddy (played by nonbinary actor Jack Haven) returned, looking more masculine and androgynous than before, and explained how the two of them were actually the two main girls in The Pink Opaque that I was hooked. This was more than halfway through the movie! But the boredom and emptiness I experienced were necessary to the story. Owen is supposed to be trapped in a melancholic world that he is too afraid to escape, and he embodies the need to maintain that normalcy because the fear of making a drastic enough choice to escape (in the movie, it is suicide) is too strong. It’s this fear and drive to maintain the status quo that keeps people in the closet and hiding themselves from the world. It’s not interesting to watch, but it is profoundly relatable, even to those who aren’t trans or queer. 

While I expected there to be more horror and to feel more afraid, this movie instead instilled a feeling of disheartening grief. Sadness for Owen and his final decision at the end, and sadness for myself and others who feel the need to fit into boxes out of fear of making drastic changes. The risk of being seen as different, making a choice to come out that feels as permanent as death, is a terrifying concept. The movie presents this suffering through the choice of conforming as worse and more prolonged than death. 

This movie was powerful and visceral, but it’s hard to suggest as a must-watch simply because it’s difficult to get into. It was well made, but it calls into question how entertaining a movie should be, and do movies owe the audience entertainment? I Saw the TV Glow was a brilliant thought experiment, and it will stay with me for a long time.

Creative Use for a Library Program 

It would be fun to have a horror movie program. Horror movies are usually more fun when watched with other people, as it can release the tension and reduce the fear. Horror movies also tend to be dismissed as less intellectual and less legitimate art, so it would be great if an institution promoted them more. The library could host a series of movies or just do a one-off program.

Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation

Because the transgender themes and implications of this movie are not explicit, there is a good chance that it won’t be challenged based on that. The movie does, however, encourage the main character to commit suicide, presenting it as an escape from a bad reality, after describing Maddy’s own suicide. The movie does not depict any suicide attempt, and it does not explicitly mention the word suicide. But it’s hard to ignore how it presents suicide as an option. There is the aspect that this is clearly a fantasy story, but the suicidal content is something that should be discussed. Suicidal ideation is a present reality for many trans and queer teens, so the movie presents a scenario that many might relate to, showing a horrible but real aspect of their stories. While unfortunate, it’s a narrative that should be told and shared because of the reality behind it. 

Reason for Inclusion

I Saw the TV Glow is a fascinating movie with a thought-provoking story. It’s one that many teens, both queer and not alike, would relate to. There’s great value in this story as a trans metaphor and its ability to build empathy for the trans experience. While it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it is a beautiful piece of work and worth a place on a library’s shelves.