Health Beyond the Blog: A24’s “I Saw the TV Glow”

A24’s New Film Reveals the Dangers of Escapism on Mental Health

by Jaden Hayes

My roommate recommended that I watch a new trans allegory film that he came across on TikTok. Being someone identifying as queer, I was enticed, as trans representation is not often championed within the media. I didn’t expect I Watched the TV Glow to stick with me long after the credits rolled.

Produced by A24 and directed by Jane Schoenbrun in 2024, this horror-drama takes an unflinching look at the intersection of media, mental health, and identity. The story centers on two teens, played by Justice Smith and Helena Howard, who find solace in their shared obsession with a mysterious TV show called, “The Pink Opaque”. As their connection deepens, their grasp on reality begins to unravel, leaving both the characters and the audience questioning what is real, and what is fiction.

Justice Smith and Helena Howard are phenomenal in their roles. They portray their characters with such raw vulnerability that it’s impossible not to feel for them. Their bond is tender yet intense, built on a mutual need to escape their realities. Watching their descent into obsession is both heartbreaking and terrifying, yet undoubtedly human.

I love how I Saw the TV Glow feels both personal and universal. Superficially, it’s an eerie horror film with surreal visuals and soundtracks. Analytical audiences, however, follow a deeply emotional story about loneliness and the ways we use media to fill the void.

The structure is intentionally disjointed, mirroring the protagonists’ fragile mental states. Quick cuts, dreamlike sequences, and a haunting score create a sense of disorientation that feels all too real. The film pulls you into the characters’ minds, forcing you experience their mental status firsthand.

I Saw the TV Glow represents how isolation impacts mental health. The teens turn to their favorite show as a form of escapism—a way to cope with their loneliness and the pressures of the outside world. It becomes clear that this escape isn’t helping them heal as their obsession grows. Instead, it’s pulling them further from reality.

This film hits too close to home. We all have ways of escaping when life feels overwhelming, whether it’s binge-watching TV, scrolling endlessly on our phones, or diving into a hobby. The film reminds us that while these coping mechanisms can offer temporary relief, they’re not a substitute for real connection or addressing what’s causing our pain.

It’s haunting, it’s beautiful, and it’s deeply human.

The film is currently available on streaming platforms Apple TV and Max. More information can also be found on the A24 website.