There’s a very specific type of A24 movie that feels like it was built for the late-night audience. Loud, a little chaotic, self aware to a fault, and just uncomfortable enough to make you laugh while also wondering if you’re part of the joke. The Moment absolutely lives in that lane. It is messy, sharp, weirdly honest, and honestly more thoughtful than you expect from a mockumentary about a pop star playing a heightened version of herself.
Charli XCX leads the film as a fictionalized take on her own public persona, navigating record label pressure, creative egos, and a documentary production that slowly turns into a passive-aggressive tug of war over the studio, and her creative team on who gets to control her image. It leans hard into dry British humor, awkward showbiz moments, and the kind of cringe comedy that makes you laugh while covering your face. If you like mockumentaries mixed with a little stressful chaos that also pokes fun at fame while quietly roasting the industry, this one lands.
The entire film is self-aware. It doesn’t come off as a vanity project pretending to be deep. The film openly critiques celebrity branding, influencer culture, and the idea that artists are constantly asked what they want while nobody actually listens. Alexander Skarsgard absolutely steals nearly every scene he’s in, as a painfully supportive creative executive whose positivity feels like a sharp weapon slowly digging into your skin. His character has a way of communicating that makes you feel like you just sat through a therapy session that somehow made things worse.
Director Aidan Zamiri keeps the energy chaotic with flashy edits and aggressive visual choices that mirror the pop culture machine chewing through its own hype. The strobe heavy visuals might be a bit much for some viewers, but they feel intentional, almost like the movie is commenting on how exhausting fame can be even when it looks glamorous.
The real strength of The Moment is its tone. It walks a tightrope between satire and character study, letting Charli XCX make fun of herself without ever pretending she is completely innocent in the chaos around her. There’s a loneliness running underneath the jokes that sneaks up on you, especially in the quieter moments when the spotlight fades and she is left alone with the noise she helped create.
Final Rating: 4 out of 5
The ending brings everything into focus with a surprisingly sincere emotional beat that reframes the entire experience. It is funny, awkward, and a little uncomfortable in the best way. Not everyone will click with its style, but for those who do, it feels like a smart evolution of the mockumentary format.
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