Caught in The Moment with Charli XCX’s Meta Pop Experiment

It’s summer 2024, and “brat summer” is trending on TikTok. I’m not entirely sure what that means, but many creators are performing synchronized dances to a song about an apple. I’m curious, even though it’s not my usual type of music. After some digging, I discovered British singer-songwriter Charli XCX, a beautiful woman who embodies a 365-party-girl lifestyle—something a millennial like me could relate to in the early 2000s, though not so much nowadays.

Fast forward to the present day, and I’m much more aware of Charli. She’s become more involved in the film scene, posting Letterboxd reviews that have fans and film bros alike curious about her opinion. I’m incredibly delighted to learn she’s an avid horror fan. So much so, she’s starring in the remake and reimagining of Faces of Death (2026) later this year.

Most recently, Charli has teamed up with A24 to release a meta mockumentary called The Moment, the directorial debut from Aidan Zamiri and co-written with Bertie Brandes. The idea stemmed from a message Charli sent to Zamiri, depicting a fictional world in which Charli succumbs to others’ pressure to alter her vision to something more palatable and family-friendly to the masses, à la Beyoncé or Taylor Swift.

The movie sets the tone by opening with giant letters that read “FLASH WARNING,” before the bass and club beats assault your senses.

We follow Charli and her crew as they are shadowed by a team making a tour documentary about her preparation for her world tour. Through a series of texts displayed on the screen, we are guided through an almost day-in-the-life of a pop star, including Charli doing a “what’s in my bag” promo while being sewn into a tight dress, before heading to where the concert rehearsals will take place.

Alexander Skarsgård plays Johannes Godwin, the director hired to shoot the tour documentary for Amazon. His performance is the standout for the amount of comedic relief he brings to the narrative. His SNL-esque acting makes his slimeball character the standout in a borderline stale plot.

While the plot isn’t deep and the stakes aren’t high, there was enough connective tissue to keep my attention.

Including the performance from the rave queen herself, Charli XCX. I was most interested in her acting and in playing this alternate version of herself. She did a wonderful job, though she overdid it at times. In reality, you need to be somewhat of an actress to be a stage performer, so this felt like a natural progression for Charli, and I can’t wait to see her in future projects. She also brings a bit of awkward humor, which I found to be very charming.

I do wish this movie had gone into darker territory and taken a risk. They played it safe, which makes sense for her fanbase. But there is a moment when she accidentally cuts herself with a broken wineglass, and I thought the film was taking a turn toward a dark descent into madness. But it quickly reverted to the lighter side of things (no pun intended; there’s a giant lighter and cigarette featured onstage at one point).

And being distributed by A24 sometimes means it’s a darker piece, although I know that’s not the case 100% of the time.

I was disappointed by how little Rachel Sennott and Kylie Jenner appear in the film, given how heavily they were used in marketing. They both play fictionalized versions of themselves and deliver solid performances, but I was really looking forward to seeing how Jenner fares on a film set. She did great for the five minutes we saw her, and I especially love that she doesn’t hide her stretch marks and keeps it real. She’s a mom (like me), and I greatly appreciate that representation. Jenner also brought a comedic tone to her character, which is a delight to see from someone known for reality television.

The pacing was solid, and I was engaged with the story throughout the 103-minute runtime, though it could have been trimmed a bit. Part of my interest comes from the cinematography and camera angles that create ethereal, eye-pleasing shots in certain scenes, not to mention everything that goes into making a giant world tour production.

Charli fans will be thrilled to see her perform some of her hits, but I was expecting more club moments with big bass and beats, so don’t go in expecting a full concert. That happens briefly toward the end of the movie, in a hilarious, unexpected way that feels like a satisfying payoff for the film as a whole.

The Moment is undoubtedly for Charli fans. I enjoyed my experience sitting next to some big fans, but from a critical perspective, it’s not going to win any awards or accolades. I would say the biggest mishap is the shift in tone throughout, which makes the movie seem unsure of what it is: a dark comedy, a drama, or a “2024 period piece,” as Charli referred to it.

The movie suffers from mistaken identity, and while that makes it feel messy, the chaotic flair of text, music, and vibe helps hide that flaw.

Overall, Charli fans will be more forgiving of the film's lack of depth and will enjoy the eye candy for which Charli is known, appreciating her vibrant performance and the striking visuals that capture her charisma.

I rate The Moment 3 out of 5 stars, appreciating its creative approach and potential. It offers an interesting perspective on Charli XCX's transition from performer to actress, highlighting her versatility. Additionally, Skarsgård's comedic talents deserve a broader showcase, and he should be cast in more comedy roles to demonstrate his range.

While some critics have harshly criticized this movie, it ultimately serves as a tribute to the fans who have supported Charli. It marks the end of her brat era, signaling a transition toward more ambitious projects aligned with her personal vision and growth.

THE MOMENT will hit theaters nationwide on February 6.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pxqhi7Sgvu8