LOS ANGELES, January 26, 2024
Charli XCX’s ‘The Moment’ divides Critics at Sundance
The new mockumentary, starring Charli XCX and Kylie Jenner, is already sparking debate ahead of its January 30 theatrical release.
- Charli XCX’s film The Moment premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
- A24 is calling the film its “fastest-selling limited release” ever.
- Reviews are mixed, with some praising Charli XCX’s performance while others find the satire underwhelming.
- The film explores a heightened reality of life after the release of her album, Brat.
A24’s new film, The Moment, starring Charli XCX, is generating buzz-and a fair amount of critical disagreement-after its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.The film, directed by Aidan Zamiri, follows Charli XCX in the months surrounding her album Brat and its subsequent world tour, presenting a heightened, often absurd, version of her life.The movie blends documentary-style footage with scripted moments, aiming for a satirical take on celebrity culture.
The Hollywood Reporter‘s David Rooney described the film as “a fascinating, if somewhat frustrating, exercise in observing the mechanics of fame,” while IndieWire‘s liz Shannon Miller found it “a surprisingly tender portrait of an artist navigating the chaos of success.” however, others were less impressed. rap echoed this sentiment, noting, “Don’t expect this to be like This Is Spinal Tap or Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, as it isn’t really about skewering the music industry via more self-contained sketches.” Variety‘s Owen Gleiberman felt the film should have been bolder, stating, “The Moment should have pushed further into crackpot satirical extremes… The jokes are understated (a generous way to put it, given that the jokes are so understated you’re barely going to laugh at them).”
charli XCX’s Performance Draws Praise
Despite the mixed reception to the film’s overall direction, many reviewers have praised Charli XCX’s performance. However, not all were impressed. ScreenRant’s Gregory nussen described The Moment as “a shapeless, thoroughly uninteresting exercise in self-effacement,” criticizing its lack of energy and a bizarre scene involving a facialist in Ibiza.
The film depicts a whirlwind of opportunities for Charli XCX, including a Brat-themed credit card and a concert film with Amazon MGM Studios. A24 has reported that The Moment is their “fastest-selling limited release” ever.
A scheduled appearance by Charli XCX on The Colbert Show this week was reportedly canceled, possibly due to whether-related travel issues.She did, however, appear on conan O’Brien’s podcast, where he shared his enthusiasm for the film.
The Moment arrives in theaters January 30.
