THE MOMENT -- A Mockumentary with a Self-Identity Crisis

Review by Chadd Clubine

The Moment is a film you either get or you don’t. Fans of Charli XCX will likely connect with it most, while those already familiar with the artist may find a degree of satisfaction in its references and tone. Viewers unfamiliar with her work, however, are likely to feel lost, as the film assumes a baseline knowledge of the pop singer and offers little context in return. Tonally, the film reaches for multiple genres—thriller, drama, and comedy—through a mockumentary lens, but never successfully justifies why this stylistic approach is necessary, leaving the film feeling scattered rather than purposeful.

Unlike most A24 films that announce themselves with the familiar logo, this film opts for a more distinctive and invigorating opening—one that immediately plunges the viewer into the chaos of Charli XCX’s world. The colors are vibrant, the editing intoxicating, and the music perfectly attuned to the mood. Yet after those opening minutes, the film quickly drifts into something slower and increasingly uncertain of its own direction.
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Conceived from an idea by Charli XCX herself, the film brims with concepts and succeeds, at least initially, in conveying the frenetic nature of her lifestyle. The issue, however, is that there is little for the audience to hold onto: characterization is thin, narrative momentum is scarce, and the abundance of ideas never coalesces into a compelling story.

Charli XCX proves herself to be a capable actress, suggesting a believable transition from music to film. Her restrained performance—often masking rather than expressing emotion—makes her character surprisingly easy to connect with. Alexander Skarsgård similarly makes the most of his role, delivering several of the film’s strongest moments.

​It’s the film’s handling of the remaining cast that becomes increasingly baffling. Characters appear and disappear with little explanation, and beyond Charli XCX, Skarsgård, and a handful of cameos, few leave any lasting impression. One cameo in particular is given an extended amount of screen time, only for its presence to ultimately feel inconsequential.

Director Aidan Zamiri’s approach closely aligns with Charli XCX’s creative instincts. While the film’s unconventional editing initially stands out, its overuse—paired with relentlessly shaky camerawork—ultimately turns the experience into something overwhelming and even nauseating. The film clearly wants to be funny, but its humor struggles to land when the visual language is steeped in constant panic and sensory overload. That said, this aggressive visual style may resonate with fans of the artist, as it mirrors the frenetic, maximalist energy Charli XCX often channels through her music.

Viewers may be reminded of This Is Spinal Tap—and its sequel—given that all three films are mockumentaries centered on English artists. On paper, applying that approach to a more contemporary figure feels fitting; in execution, however, The Moment never quite measures up to its inspiration. This Is Spinal Tap succeeds because it convincingly mimics a real documentary, despite following a fictional band. The Moment, by contrast, rarely feels like a documentary at all.

Its highly stylized camerawork undermines the mockumentary premise, with only a single scene acknowledging the presence of a cameraman. The film is shot from countless angles, yet the people behind the camera are rarely seen, making it difficult to buy into the illusion. Each time the film reminds you it’s meant to be a mockumentary, the artifice becomes harder to ignore.
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The Moment is ultimately a film made for fans. Admirers of the singer will likely respond to its aesthetic, as it fully embraces her sensibility and creative style. As a narrative, however, the film never quite takes off, offering little in the way of story or characterization for viewers to latch onto. There are plenty of intriguing ideas at play, but most feel underdeveloped and in need of more time to breathe. Still, the film’s willingness to push boundaries gives it a certain appeal, even as it struggles to define exactly what it wants to be.

The Moment is in theaters February 6th!

Rating: 2/5