It’s impossible to deny that British singer Charli XCX is hot on the rise. The 2024 “Brat Summer” phenomenon stemming from her highly lauded album brat and a growing presence in film (including providing original music in Emerald Fennell’s upcoming Wuthering Heights adaptation) define her as a must-watch artist. All that comes to a head with The Moment, a mockumentary drama-thriller fueled by a universal and timely desire to simply stay relevant.
As Charli XCX (playing herself) juggles the pressures of an upcoming Brat tour, a creative tug-of-war with a strange director (Alexander Skarsgård), and faces identity woes, there’s one desire that weaves throughout everything—maintaining momentum. With the heat and excitement of Brat Summer still looming and building towards Charli’s first headline tour, the anxiety and need to capture the moment is palpable. It’s where the film gets these great hooks in you, as you’re not only swept up in Charli’s fast-moving fame, but also all the behind the scenes work going into building on her success.
By the time Charli is getting ready for dress rehearsals, you let out the same sigh of exhaustion she does. It’s also where the film creates an instant connection through this universal desire to keep the good times rolling. It’s a crucial part of our social media-driven world lately, so it’s interesting to see a film like The Moment really capture this in such a personal, relevant way. In many ways, it further reflects how Charli XCX connects with modern mindsets as an artist. And, it’s how the film taps into current themes that are elevated by director Aidan Zamiri’s mockumentary approach.
For a feature directorial debut, Zamiri heavily impresses with his vision and ability to immerse audiences into Charli’s experience. As expected, you get a lot of flash that vibes with Charli—especially in her brat era. Huge strobe effects and neon-colored transition slates feel right at home with Charli’s style and generally keep the energy afloat as we quickly move between different locations. But the real highlight is definitely how he handles the mockumentary framing. There are great “paparazzi” shots that make you feel like a fly on the wall. Some subtle lens spikes and fourth wall breaks are very effective in drawing the audience in. Plus, it really elevates the experience of viewers getting a glimpse into a pivotal moment for Charli as an artist. It’s a heightened sense of realism that’s well-directed and creates the perfect playground for these performances to thrive in.
While Charli is definitely the biggest force of The Moment, there are a couple supporting players who really shine. Skarsgård is such a delightful, little villainous presence as Johannes, the director for the concert film being made within the film. He’s passive-aggressive in such sinister ways that’ll make you loathe him and he excels at delivering a satirical depiction of the auteur who knows all. Johannes trying to direct Charli’s stage presence is hilarious and Skarsgard’s screen presence is nearly chilling in its mysterious intentions.
Charli’s inner circle is filled with a strong cast of characters, including spineless manager Tim (Jamie Demetriou), who get plenty of great lines in. Plus, come on, even with a few scenes Rachel Sennott (as “herself”) kills it. But Charli definitely shines brightest here, with a great, exaggerated version of herself that’s oddly compelling. She brings all that great counterculture energy she’s known for with a determined vision for herself as an artist. Yet, she’s also forced to show many other sides, especially when interacting with other celebs or high powered execs, that digs deeper into her exploration of her identity. She’s got great line deliveries and even does well with some vulnerable scenes later in the film.
Honestly, there’s a lot to like about what The Moment brings as a film. But, there are some aspects that simply don’t hold their weight or miss grander opportunities. While the film kicks off with some big bangs, it struggles to maintain its momentum throughout. The excitement and intrigue of these behind the scenes looks can lose their intrigue over time, and the pacing can drag when attempts at satirical humor don’t land smoothly. There are scenes that feel unnecessary and don’t impact the plot enough—like a third act celebrity run-in. And, despite some well-planted seeds of themes early on, the film doesn’t find anything unique to say about celebrity image or this innate fear of falling off. There’s a message/monologue from Charli later on that’s meant to show her as vulnerable and have a cathartic moment. Instead, though, the generic sounding dialogue and lackluster final beats just echo ideas we’ve seen with stories just like it. It’s a moment that should’ve felt more vulnerable and real, but sadly comes off like script-reading. The concern of losing creative control over yourself creates a powerful pull this film can’t capitalize on and you end up feeling like there was better material left on the table, leaving a bittersweet vibe as the credits roll.
While The Moment may not be a revolutionary effort or take full control of the potential it initially presents, it’s a great showing for Charli XCX as an artist that’s perfectly entertaining and engaging. For those wanting to see the Brat Summer live on, The Moment will let you enjoy what Charli’s got to offer for a little longer.
