The Best New Horror Movie from 2024 is Streaming on Max: “It binds us together then tosses us over the side of the dock”
One of the great things about the horror genre—and, really, cinema in general—is that different pieces of art can mean different things to different people. Not scared of ghosts? There’s a whole world of slashers and home invasion thrillers waiting for you. Keen for something more visceral, more in-your-face? Check out some New French Extremity or found footage. What scares one person doesn’t need to scary everyone for it to qualify as horror. That sentiment certainly held true for one of 2024’s best-reviewed horror movies (and a personal favorite among many here).
When the year came to a close, coming up with a Top 10 list was no less challenging than it had been in years past. What made the decision more difficult was how assured I was in my top choice, even if I knew the polarizing feature was regularly dismissed as horror-adjacent at best, not horror at worst. But the dreadful feeling I was left with, the pit in my stomach, the existential fear—all of that is horror to me. So, do yourself a favor and stream the best horror movie of 2024, now on Max.
Per Max: Introduced to a mysterious late-night TV show — a vision of a secret, supernatural world — teenage Owen’s reality begins to crack.
Jane Schoenbrun’s I Saw the TV Glow is nothing short of a masterpiece. It was my favorite film of last year’s Sundance International Film Festival, and my choice for the best horror movie of the year. Not just mine, either. Our Managing Editor, Josh Korngut, wrote the following when he listed I Saw the TV Glow as his top horror movie for 2024: “Part of what makes I Saw the TV Glow so fascinating is how Schoenbrung works with a very specific type of trope-y ’90s YA genre TV series that all 30-somethings will immediately recognize. Then, once it’s hooked us, it binds us all together by the ankles and tosses us over the side of its dock.”
We loved the film so much, we dedicated an entire video series to the film for Pride Month. Which is to say, I Saw the TV Glow is a horror movie. I’m not saying you have to like it—good art is always polarizing—but just consider its genre influences before outright dismissing it. Plenty have enjoyed the film, and you can check out some choice social media reactions here:
I Saw the TV Glow but instead of Pink Opaque its Supernatural
— Alison Rumfitt (@hangsawoman) January 7, 2025
reading i saw the tv glow reviews and throwing up at all of the "i dont get its" on letterboxd when this is in the first 5 minutes of the movie pic.twitter.com/7hNfZUrsz2
— Gwen? (@Linkcrossing) December 30, 2024
in a perfect world I saw the tv glow would win best picture pic.twitter.com/Y3u4C00rJ8
— ZAYNA?? FREE PALESTINE (@HorrorHijabi) January 7, 2025
if i saw the tv glow wasn’t a horror movie to you, be fucking grateful LMAO https://t.co/RdzOSejNBo
— tobin ? (@lobintemke) December 30, 2024
the ‘i saw the tv glow isn’t a horror film’ debate is ridiculous because that’s one of the most poignant existential, queer horrors i’ve ever seen. some of you don’t understand horror unless there’s a creepy monster and jump scares and it shows
— freya (@spaceflproject) December 31, 2024
What do you think? Were you a fan of I Saw the TV Glow? Is it a horror movie? Let me know either way over on Twitter @Chadiscollins.
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