Why Buffy fans don’t want to miss this superb, nostalgic ’90s-set horror now on Netflix

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If you grew up watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer in the late ’90s and early 2000s, you’ll probably enjoy the 2024 horror film I Saw the TV Glow, which is now available to stream on Netflix.

Jane Schoenbrun’s film, I Saw the TV Glow, centers on teenagers Maddy and Owen who become close through their mutual obsession with a popular sci-fi show called The Pink Opaque. When the show is unexpectedly cancelled, they begin to question what’s real and struggle to understand the profound impact the series had on their lives.

Similar to the broader genre, Buffy became famous for using symbolic stories to explore the challenges of being a teenager, turning those awkward and difficult experiences into literal monsters and demons. Beyond these common themes, the show also provided a sense of belonging for viewers who felt isolated or like they didn’t quite fit in elsewhere.

The film I Saw the TV Glow evokes and reflects feelings of searching for oneself, delving into themes of identity, queerness, and finding where you belong. It can also be understood as a story about the transgender experience, as the writer and director, Jane Schoenbrun, has stated that the film is, at its core, about a queer person’s journey of self-discovery.

Like the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I Saw the TV Glow taps into millennial nostalgia. It reminds many of us of a simpler time before the internet took over everything, when connecting with fans meant visiting message boards or chatting on MSN – and the phone line wasn’t tied up!

The new film, I Saw the TV Glow, received a lot of positive attention from critics after its debut at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.

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In a glowing five-star review, The Independent called I Saw the TV Glow a standout mystery drama with a powerful connection to the transgender experience. The review highlighted how the film explores the idea that art can understand us on a deep level, even before we understand ourselves, and how we might spend years trying to decipher its meaning, perhaps because the truth it reveals is frightening.

Both The Guardian and other critics gave the film five stars, with The Guardian predicting it will become a “future classic.” They praised director Jane Schoenbrun, calling them a “superbly gifted filmmaker” and highlighting the film’s touching story of two outsiders who connect over a strange TV show.

Empire praised the film as powerfully emotional and unforgettable, comparing it to a late-night TV discovery. They suggest it could mark a turning point for LGBTQ+ filmmaking.

According to a review in Flicks, I Saw the TV Glow is a powerfully personal film that connects directly with viewers who need it most, delivering a bold message with skillful filmmaking. The review suggests the film isn’t something you simply watch—it’s something that might find you.

If you’re still upset that a Buffy the Vampire Slayer revival isn’t happening, maybe you’ll enjoy watching I Saw the TV Glow as a way to remember the fun.

I Saw the TV Glow is streaming now on Netflix.

The latest issue of Living Legends, a beautiful 100-page, full-color tribute to Sir David Attenborough, is now available! You can purchase it at newsstands or online.

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2026-04-30 09:19