What happens when a pop star’s success becomes her own worst enemy? The Moment, a film by first-time director Aidan Zamiri, dives into this question with a fictionalized take on Charli XCX’s meteoric rise following her 2024 album Brat. But here’s where it gets controversial: while the film aims to humanize the pop icon, it often feels like a thinly veiled exercise in brand management, leaving viewers to wonder if it’s a genuine exploration of celebrity or a cleverly disguised PR move. And this is the part most people miss: despite its sharp humor and magnetic performances, the film’s misanthropic tone and scattered narrative might just overshadow its best intentions.
Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival and set for release on January 30, The Moment (https://www.ign.com/movies/the-moment) follows Charli XCX in the chaotic weeks leading up to her 2025 Brat tour. The film’s energy is undeniable, with a voyeuristic, handheld style that pulls you into the whirlwind of her life. Zamiri, known for his music videos with XCX, crafts a world where the line between reality and fiction blurs—a mockumentary in name only, as the cameras are rarely acknowledged. Instead, it plays more like a drama, though its narrative choices often feel as disjointed as the star’s own anxiety-fueled existence.
The film’s strength lies in its humor, which is dry, witty, and reminiscent of The Office (the UK version, naturally). XCX shines as a frayed, vulnerable version of herself, her insecurities laid bare amidst the chaos of her stardom. Jamie Demetriou steals scenes as her straitlaced manager, Tim, pitching absurd promotional ideas like a Brat-themed queer credit card (https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/is-mastercard-a-queer-ally-is-this-tv-show-my-friend). The supporting cast, including Hailey Benton Gates and Alexander Skarsgård, adds depth, though XCX remains the undeniable center of gravity. Celebrity cameos from Kylie Jenner and Rachel Sennott further blur the lines between reality and satire.
But here’s the rub: The Moment struggles to find its artistic voice. While it aims to critique the machinery of fame, it often feels tone-deaf, particularly in its portrayal of XCX’s fans. One scene, in which a fan’s mental health struggles are mocked, borders on cruel, raising questions about the film’s empathy. Is this a bold deconstruction of celebrity, or a misstep in an otherwise clever concept? The film’s insistence that XCX is both deeply human and a creative genius feels contradictory, leaving viewers to decide whether they’re buying what it’s selling—or if they’ve just sipped too much of that lime green Kool-Aid.
Visually, The Moment is a feast for the eyes. Zamiri borrows liberally from the likes of the Safdie Brothers and Gaspar Noé, with claustrophobic framing and strobing captions (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dL0lNGXoP8E&t=67s) that mirror XCX’s unraveling psyche. The color palette is striking, using high-contrast saturation and sickly green hues to evoke a sense of decay, as if her success is slowly consuming her. Yet, for all its stylistic flair, the film’s emotional beats often fall flat. Key moments in XCX’s character arc are glossed over, and the third act’s dramatic monologues feel out of place, failing to capitalize on her comedic talents.
By the time the credits roll, The Moment feels like a missed opportunity. It’s not a bad film—far from it—but it’s one that leaves you questioning its purpose. Is it a satire, a drama, or a glorified music video? The answer, like XCX herself, remains frustratingly elusive. So, what do you think? Does The Moment succeed in humanizing Charli XCX, or does it lose itself in its own chaos? Let us know in the comments!
