The Moment Review
Even though it’s been about two years since the world was introduced to “brat summer,” it still feels like it’s fresh in our heads. The success of Charli XCX’s dance-pop album, which became a staple of pop culture, led to great things for the artist and there’s no doubt about it. Unfortunately, like everything that came before it, all good things must come to an end and so too does “brat summer.” However, what if that era didn’t end, but instead, was pushed to the forefront? That’s what Charli XCX and director Aidan Zamiri try to answer with The Moment, a boldly experimental deep dive into stardom and sacrifice.
Set during the peak of brat summer, The Moment sees Charli XCX trying to retain her popularity as she gets ready to go on tour. She’s got the support of her friends and waffling manager Tim (Jamie Demetriou), but the biggest obstacle she faces is a concert film in development. Stuck in a conflict between her close friend and creative director Celeste (Hailey Benton Gates) and the nudgy Johannes (Alexander Skarsgård), Charli must try to overcome the odds, both internally and externally, all while keeping herself in the spotlight.
On a visual level, The Moment truly shows the sensationalism that Charli XCX is known for. The opening alone is an incredibly flashy sequence that throws so many bright colors at you while flipping back to Charli dancing in this dark, punk-like set. That said, this film is definitely not for those who are epileptic. This warning becomes apparent in the setting transitions, where they nail in where specifically in the timeline the film is. However, in a way, some of these editing choices, made by Bill Sneddon and Neal Farmer, are meant to represent Charli’s deteriorating state of mind. It’s somewhat unfortunate that it can feel a bit overdone when the final act hits, but it’s a daring choice nonetheless.
If you’re able to get past the strobing effects, the mockumentary-style cinematography, on behalf of Sean Price Williams, captures this grittiness that may feel like new territory for Charli. From shaky close-ups that try to add some authenticity to the film to faraway shots, both individual and crowded, that build tension, every shot in this film is utilized to the fullest of their potential. At certain points, specifically in the second half of The Moment, some of the shots bear this ominous suspicion that fits the psychological exploration of this film. The general aesthetic will certainly make one believe that this is what Charli’s idea of celebrity purgatory is like.
As for the story that Charli and Zamiri want to explore, it hits some familiar beats that celebrity-focused films rely on. Instead of having a manipulative manager, the antagonist comes in the form of Johannes, a director who specializes in tour films that Charli and Celeste find overbearing. Additionally, there’s also the secondary problem of economics, which comes in the weirdly fitting form of the ‘brat’ credit card that doesn’t work. There’s also the gradually intense breaking of friendships when the money is prioritized, leading to a shaky breakup that feels like the climactic point of any celeb film. Although the way these story beats may be familiar, it’s how they’re executed through the characters that works.
Given how this is Charli XCX’s film, she puts herself out there in a way that’s true to her superstar persona. The Moment’s version of Charli XCX is someone who doesn’t want to be bossed around and wants things to be what she wants. However, she’s also very inclined to live up to what everyone wants for her because she doesn’t want to move on. The film’s namesake title quite takes it quite literally: everyone that Charli knows, from her label to Tim and her friends, wants “brat summer” to live forever. Yet, the stress that comes to living up to those expectations drives her to make rushed calls and bad choices.
This inevitably comes around when she’s placed into the conflict between Celeste and Johannes over how to approach her tour. Gates brings a down-to-earth, empathetic performance as Celeste, making you really feel bad for what she has to put up with during the rehearsal process. Oppositely, Skarsgård’s Johannes seems friendly on the outside, but as the tour nears closer, there’s cracks to his character that show a more misogynistic side that makes you despise him. Surprisingly though, this isn’t the first A24 movie this year that has him playing a total douchebag (see Pillion in a few weeks), but Skarsgård brings such a despicable attitude that makes him a bit comedic.
The Moment shows that Charli XCX is a confident producer in her feature film debut as it captures a different and darker side to “brat” while delivering her authentic vision of female creators trying to stay in the spotlight. Although it can sometimes be a visual overload for certain viewers, this film is a solid exploration of stardom in today’s decade.
The Moment releases in theaters nationwide on Friday, January 30.
Rating: ★★★½
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Christopher Gallardo is a freelance entertainment writer and critic. While not running The Reel Roller, Chris can be found writing reviews and breakdowns on all things films and TV. Outside of entertainment writing, he’s currently taking classes for a Bachelor’s of Science with a minor in Digital Media & Journalism. Plus, he loves Percy Jackson, animated films and shows, and Fallout! Follow Christopher on Instagram & X.