Student Board Blog: Jane Schoenbrun, I Saw the TV Glow
Written by Harper Halloquist ‘24-‘25 Student Board Member
Media with transgender and gender nonconforming representation over the years has been limited, with films such as Tom Boy in 2011 and Boys don’t cry from 1999. However, there has been a recent increase in both queer and trans-inclusivity throughout the film industry, especially towards the release of trans allegory, I Saw the TV Glow.
I Saw the TV Glow (2024), is about two teenagers who connect over their love for horror, allowing them to feel connected with their identity, however their view on their own reality begins to crack. This film resonates with many queer identifying individuals, as it recognizes the fear of not living as one’s authentic self. I Saw the TV Glow gained much support over social media platforms and news stations, which in turn brought fame to the creator, Jane Schoenbrun.
Jane Schoenbrun, a “transfeminine and nonbinary” filmmaker, has made an assortment of films, many being allegories, reflecting the experiences of youth and queer individuals, as well as others reflecting eye-catching and deep stories. Films of theirs such as We’re All Going to the World’s Fair, screened at the Sundance Film Festival, gained much traction bringing Schoenbrun’s name up in filmmaking spaces; an important step in creating diverse stories, specifically reflecting the lives of trans and gender nonconforming individuals. The work on Jane Schoenbrun has struck an upcoming generation, leaving a lasting impact with their encouragement to be their authentic selves.
Good and accurate representation, especially of minorities, in film and television is scarce to come by; however the work of Schoenbrun proves to have traction, and largely represents groups of the queer community as well as emphasizing a sense of nostalgia. In an interview with NPR, Schoenbrun stated: “Good representation feels primarily concerned with people who aren’t from your background. It feels like – you know, in my case, good representation would be like making a film so that cis people could understand the trans experience. Whereas what I was doing as a trans person was just trying to articulate the things that felt oblique about my own experience.” Highlighting the film’s creation based on their own personal experience, rather than replicating the story of someone else; which would be significant as most media and allegories highlighting minorities often aren’t written by those people, but rather those with more social power.
Over all, the work on Jane Schoenbrun and their film I Saw the TV Glow, has had a large impact throughout the queer and older generations. The reflection on the importance of living as one’s true self can be interpreted by many, and behind all the awe inspiring cinematography and the well scripted dialogue, the meaning of the film sinks in with all viewers. Schoenbrun’s work of reflecting queer stories by queer people also demonstrates the strides in the film industry towards diversity, paying off with accurate and inspirational pieces such as I Saw the TV Glow.