I Saw the TV Glow ending explained: Does Owen find his true self?

Justice Smith as Owen (Image via Youtube / A24)
Justice Smith as Owen (Image via Youtube / A24)

I Saw the TV Glow is a psychological horror thriller directed by Jane Schoenbrun. The movie follows the journey of a young boy who is introduced to a suspicious late-night TV show by his classmate.

The movie first premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 18, 2024, and later was given a limited theatrical release by A24 in the United States on May 3, 2024, followed by nationwide release on streaming platforms on May 17.

The plot of I Saw the TV Glow revolves around Owen (played by Justice Smith), a teenager who is deeply connected with a fictional show The Pink Opaque. This fantasy show reflects Owen's inner battle for acceptance.

As the story develops, Owen faces his fears and deals with societal pressures that stop him from identifying his true self.

By the end of I Saw the TV Glow, Owen does discover who he truly is, but his journey is far from over. As reality and fiction blur, Owen’s understanding of his transgender identity is shown in a significant way.

Although the future is unclear, the ending suggests that Owen has made his first move toward living honestly and accepting the truth he had been avoiding for a long time.

The official synopsis of the movie on Prime Video reads:

“Teenager Owen (Justice Smith) is just trying to make it through life in the suburbs when his classmate (Brigette Lundy-Paine) introduces him to a mysterious late-night TV show — a vision of a supernatural world beneath their own. In the pale glow of the television, Owen's view of reality begins to crack.”

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I Saw the TV Glow: Owen's Journey of Self-Discovery

I Saw the TV Glow shows Owen’s life to be defined by his unwillingness to embrace his true identity. He finds comfort in The Pink Opaque, a show about two girls, Isabel and Tara, who develop supernatural abilities. Owen feels a strong connection to Isabel but is unable to understand the reason behind it.

As a teenager, Owen’s abusive father and societal expectations prevent him from accepting his reality. Maddy Wilson (played by Brigette Lundy-Paine), Owen’s best friend who also loves The Pink Opaque, sees the truth about Owen long before Owen does.

She encourages Owen to accept his sexuality but the fear inside him creates an internal struggle that becomes intense as he grows older. As the movie moves back and forth between past and present, it becomes hard to tell where Owen's real life ends and the made-up world of The Pink Opaque begins.

By the time Owen grows up, he feels overwhelmed by worry and guilt. The turning point in his story comes when Owen has a huge mental and emotional breakdown at work, which leads him to accept his gender identity.


I Saw the TV Glow: The influence of The Pink Opaque on Owen’s life

The central part of Owen’s story is the fictional show The Pink Opaque. The show is about two magical girls, Isabel and Tara, who become more than just a source of entertainment for Owen.

This bond with the show grows stronger as Owen gets older, with scenes from The Pink Opaque mixing with Owen’s real life, showing the blurred lines between his reality and what he wants to be.

As Owen reconnects with Maddy and confronts his identity directly, it becomes evident that The Pink Opaque has been crucial in shaping his emotional and psychological growth. The show acts as both a haven and a reminder of the freedom he has been withholding.


Fans of thriller psychological drama can watch I Saw the TV Glow on Prime Video and Apple TV.

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Edited by Abhimanyu Sharma
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