I Saw the TV Glow
Spoilers are out front for I Saw the TV Glow .
Summary
A24 ’s latest psychological horror film , I Saw the TV Glow , devote homage to many of the nineties television set show that inspired writer - manager Jane Schoenbrun . In terms of atmosphere and report , I project the TV Glowis heavily inspired by cult classics like David Lynch and Mark Frost’sTwin Peaks , but , more than anything , the film is in conversation withBuffy the Vampire Slayer . For instance , two ofI Saw the TV Glow ’s characters , Owen ( Justice Smith ) and Maddy ( Brigette Lundy - Paine ) , are ghost with a supernatural unseasoned - grownup series calledThe Pink Opaque .
A monster - of - the - hebdomad series that centers on two teen , Isabel ( Helena Howard ) and Tara ( Lindsey Jordan ) , who share a psychical connection of sorts . With its pragmatic - effects creatures and tell - all episode guides , there ’s no denyingThe Pink Opaque ’s resemblance to ' 90s point likeBuffy . I see the TV Glow ’s coming - of - age storyfully embraces its inspirations , paying ceaseless court to the appearance that come before it . While that makesA24 ’s movie utter forTwin PeaksfansandBuffybuffs , it also sheds light on some rather meta pop - ethnic connection .
Amber Benson’s I Saw The TV Glow Cameo Echoes Her Groundbreaking Buffy Role
Benson Played One Of Buffy’s Queer Characters
A seven - time of year supernatural dramatic event series , Buffy the Vampire Slayercenters on the titular Buffy Summers ( Sarah Michelle Gellar ) — the late in a line of chosen ones to inherit the title of Vampire Slayer . Buffy ’s hometown of Sunnydale is situated on a Hellmouth , a portal between world that swear out as a convergence point for all manner of mystical energies and military unit . Joined by her friends , Buffy bilk monstrosity - of - the - workweek and big bad alike . In the iconic quaternary - time of year episode " Hush,“a diffident youthful hag named Tara Maclay ( Amber Benson ) joinsBuffy ’s roll of character .
Tara and Willow have cement their station as some of TV ’s most iconic LGBTQ+ lineament .
Notably , Tara ’s relationship with Willow(Alyson Hannigan ) , one of Buffy ’s friends , blossoms into one of the show ’s rooter - preferred love story . At the time , the poof family relationship was groundbreaking and , since then , Tara and Willow have cement their place as some of TV ’s most iconic LGBTQ+ quality . That say , one ofI Saw the TV Glow ’s bestBuffyreferences come in the form of a cameo from Tara role player Amber Benson . Although her function is pocket-size , Benson ’s very appearance has a substantial impact on viewers who , like Schoenbrun , grew up withBuffyas one of their few touchstone for rum representation .
With music being a formative part of Jane Schoenbrun ’s own adolescent age , they were determined to curate a distinct soundtrack for I Saw the TV Glow .
Amber Benson’s Tara Maclay Suffered From The “Bury Your Gays” Trope
Tara Was Killed After Finding Happiness With Willow
After some relationship turmoil , Tara and Willow reconcile , with the installment " see Red " initially centering on their regenerate romantic blissfulness . Moments by and by , one of Buffy ’s foes fritter away several round into the home , with a isolated bullet coming through the windowpane . Literally photograph through the heart , Tara dies suddenly while Willow count on . SinceTara ’s death , which promptsBuffy ’s Dark Willow story , comes on the heels of Tara and Willow finally reconnecting — and it literally happens in the couple ’s bedroom — critic direct out that the show ’s handling of Tara played into the harmful " Bury Your Gays " image .
The " Bury Your Gays " trope halt from the Hays Code — censoring guidelines for Hollywood films …
That is , queer case often die onscreen after let sexuality , suggesting a correlativity between their sexuality and their destruction . Whether knowing or not , Buffy ’s " Seeing Red " is a classic example of this frustrating discourse of queer characters . Of course , Hollywood ’s " Bury Your Gays " tropestems from the Hays Code , censorship guidelines for Hollywood film that were in effect from the thirties to the recent 1960s in gild to keep film from becoming too violent , sexual , or profane . Unsurprisingly , this led to the founding of homophobic and bigoted tropes in film and telecasting — 1 that continue on even in 2024 .
Custom Image by Kate Bove
Buffy star Amber Benson talk over Tara ’s controversial death twenty years after ' visualize Red ' , recognize how " devastating " it was to fans .
Being Buried Is A Huge Theme In I Saw The TV Glow’s The Pink Opaque
Being Buried Alive Is A Theme In Buffy - Literally & Metaphorically
ahead of time on inI Saw the TV Glow , Owen ’s father , Frank ( Fred Durst ) , saysThe pinkish Opaqueis a show " for girls " and forbids Owen from see it at home . This prompts Owen to sneak out of the household to watch the show with Maddy . In gild to stave off being found out , Owen lies and says that there ’s a sleepover plan at a friend ’s star sign . That friend , Johnny Link , is never learn onscreen , though Owen does pretend to go to the fictional character ’s household to keep up the facade . finally , Maddy reveals that she ’s suffocating in their small township .
Benson ’s character is one of the few people who shows Owen kindness and support .
Maddy take Owen to join her , as she feels they ’ll both die ( literally or metaphorically ) if they delay in the town . Although Owen correspond , the anxious teen becomes overwhelmed and runs to Johnny Link ’s house . Johnny ’s mom , played by Amber Benson , answers the door and verbalize to Owenwith concern . Although she does n’t know what ’s going on in Owen ’s liveliness , Benson ’s lineament is one of the few people who shows Owen kindness and keep . ByI visualize the television receiver Glow ’s ending , it ’s clear that Owen , who is trans , has been burying their dependable ego .
I Saw the TV Glow follows teenager Owen, who navigates suburban life until introduced by classmate Maddy to a mysterious late-night TV show.
While Maddy , an out lesbian , leave township to know her sprightliness more fully , Owen stayed behind and refused to know their identity . When Maddy returns to townsfolk years after to save Owen , she hint thatThe Pink Opaqueis what ’s literal — that they are Tara , a queer - coded character , and Isabel , a young adult female , severally . As the world ofThe Pink Opaquebleeds into Owen ’s supposed reality , the stripling unearths long - buried store of research their trans identity . Maddy tell Owen that for reawaken as Isabel , Owen ’s in full actualise trans self , they must be buried live .
The report of being buried has very clear implications for Owen ’s journey , but it also repeat the melodic theme of " burying " queer and trans role .
finally , Owen run away from Maddy again , turn away to be inhume and unearth . alternatively of look in or taking legal action , Owen refuses to face their transness . As a result , Owen is crushed under the weight of last a false life . The base of being buried has very clear implication for Owen ’s journeying , but it also echo the thought of " bury " pansy and trans characters . Moreover , one of thethree times Buffy die , the Slayer is resurrected and must savvy herself out of her own grave . Clearly , the plot period connects the two works .
Twin Peaks : The Return may have concluded in 2017 , but A24 ’s recent psychological horror plastic film dead revives one of the show ’s trademarks .
I Saw The TV Glow’s Queer & Trans Characters Are In Conversation With Buffy The Vampire Slayer’s LGBTQ+ Characters
Benson Comforting Owen Is A Great Way To Tie The Two Stories Together
Amber Benson’sI Saw the idiot box Glowcameo may come across as just a playfulness nod , but it sum more layers to the picture ’s connector withBuffy . In having the role player who plays one of TV ’s most iconic fairy role put up comfort to a struggling trans teenager , I watch the TV Glowuses its cameo moment to tell apart fag and trans viewers who love shows likeBuffy . Although the TV show of the ' XC may not have had the best LGBTQ+ representation , they still molded queer and trans witness , andI construe the TV Glowhelps reclaim that nostalgia .
I Saw the TV Glowis now playing in theaters .
I ascertain the television receiver Glow follow teenager Owen , who navigates suburban life until introduced by schoolfellow Maddy to a orphic belated - night goggle box show .
