Dickens & Rumi
Cover of I Saw the TV Glow

film

I Saw the TV Glow

2024

In late-90s suburbia, a lonely teenager meets a girl at school who introduces him to a mysterious late-night T.V. show — a vision of a supernatural world pulsing beneath their own. As time goes on, however, questions begin to arise about why the show sometimes seems more real than their own lives. In the pale glow of the television, their view of reality begins to crack.

Ages 16+Source checked

Why this age? Strong psychological horror includes burial alive, suffocation, deaths, a nervous breakdown, severe depression, and graphic chest self-harm. Queer identity themes and emotional complexity require mature context. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age16+

Strongest cautions

  • LGBTQIA characters5/5
  • Frightening scenes4/5
  • Death of a character3/5

Strongest positives

  • Creativity & curiosity4/5
  • Diverse representation4/5
  • Positive messages4/5

What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5
Why this rating?

References to 90s media and retro technology; no aggressive marketing.

Death of a character3/5
Why this rating?

The story includes a mother's cancer death, a father's death from stroke, apparent suffocation, and recurring fear of psychological or existential death.

Graphic injury3/5
Why this rating?

A character cuts open his chest with a box cutter and sees a television screen inside; burial and suffocation imagery are also disturbing.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

The excerpts contain no clear profanity, though one assessment reports occasional mild profanity. Any language appears limited rather than a major concern.

LGBTQIA characters5/5
Why this rating?

Central theme of the film is a transgender allegory, focusing on gender dysphoria and the search for authentic identity.

Romance1/5
Why this rating?

Deep emotional connection between friends, but no traditional romantic relationships are depicted.

Frightening scenes4/5
Why this rating?

Surreal psychological horror, warped reality, buried-alive danger, uncanny imagery, existential dread, and intense emotional distress are central.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

A bar appears as a setting, but the passages do not show drinking, smoking, vaping, or drug use. Substance use is not a focus.

Violence2/5
Why this rating?

Includes scenes of burial, surreal physical encounters, and self-harm imagery that are unsettling rather than graphic.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5
Why this rating?

The characters confront fear, identity, and an oppressive reality, though the story also depicts panic, avoidance, and dangerous decisions.

Creativity & curiosity4/5
Why this rating?

Highly innovative, surreal storytelling style with a unique visual language.

Diverse representation4/5
Why this rating?

Centrally features queer, trans, and non-binary perspectives and experiences.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Offers insight into the experience of gender dysphoria and emotional repression.

Kindness & empathy2/5
Why this rating?

The bond between the two leads is marked by empathy and shared experience.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

The film emphasizes confronting identity, resisting repression, seeking meaningful connection, and recognizing that avoidance can lead to profound isolation.

Good role models2/5
Why this rating?

Characters show loyalty and emotional honesty, but their isolation, avoidance, and dangerous choices make them complex rather than straightforward models.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What was the most imaginative idea in the story, and what would you add to it?
  2. How are identity and relationships presented, and how do they shape the characters’ experiences?
  3. Which choice in I Saw the TV Glow would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in I Saw the TV Glow, and what caused that change?
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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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