About the Film

The Horror film “I Saw The TV Glow” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival 2024. Directed by Jane Schoenbrun, the film follows two teenagers who connect from their love of the scary television show called “The Pink Opaque”, which randomly gets canceled.

The main character Owen is first played by 13-year-old Ian Foreman, making this Foreman’s first big role.

Older Owen is played by Justice Smith, who is known for his outstanding role in “The Get Down”.

Owen eventually builds a bond with co-star Brigette Lundy-Paine who plays the character Maddy. Owen and Maddy’s weird interest in The Pink Opaque starts to change how they see themselves and the world around them.

Preparing for the Role

It was just a few years ago when Foreman’s teacher saw he a had gift, so they informed Foreman’s mother, and now he’s walking carpets. With him doing his film premiere, Foreman said he had to mentally prepare himself to play Owen because they are opposites in many ways.

Foreman considers himself a social butterfly, which his character Owen is not.

“I’ve always been a person that’s wanted to have friends, but young Owen, he was kind of like the opposite. He didn’t really put himself out there. He didn’t really, I guess you can call it, advertise himself to other kids. He wanted to run solo. Me, I had to work on that because that’s never how I been,” said Foreman.

On the other hand, Smith said this is one of the most difficult roles he’s had to play. He considers the film to be dark and a little indescribable. Yet like any role, he makes sure to not let the character take over his real life.

“Characters stay with me like months after I play them…[but] as I’ve grown as an actor, I’ve learned how to separate it more and more, and how to flow with the project. How to not over prepare and start wearing the feelings of the character, but to like put it all in the take,” said Smith.

For Smith, acting has helped him understand who he is as a person. He’s dealt with a lot growing up and through the words of others, he’s found himself, which is why he loves the world of acting so much. He credits acting for saving his life.

“I’ve realized a lot of my career is just keep doing that. Playing characters and taking away what connected with me from that person, good or bad,” said Smith.

Foreman is using his platform to be an inspiration for the younger generation.

“I want them to see that you can chase your dreams no matter how far-fetched it seems. You can get there,” said Foreman. He credits his mother, father, and Jesus for his confidence and plans to make a full career out of acting.

I Saw The TV Glow will be released to the public later this year.

Check out our video interviews from Sundance Film Festival 2024 here.