Aidan Zamiri makes a bold cinematic statement with The Moment, a 2026 release that arrives as part of the prestige slate from A24. Written by Zamiri alongside Bertie Brandes and the film’s central subject, Charli XCX, the movie defies easy categorization. It is a hybrid creature: part mockumentary, part psychological thriller, and part satirical comedy. Released in the United States on January 30, 2026, following its buzzy Sundance premiere, the film captures a specific cultural lightning strike, arriving just as the "brat" phenomenon has moved from a musical era into a permanent fixture of the pop-culture lexicon.
The cast is a curated "who's who" of the modern cool-girl aesthetic and indie royalty. Charli XCX plays a heightened, fictionalized version of herself, joined by veterans like Rosanna Arquette and comedic powerhouses like Kate Berlant and Jamie Demetriou. The supporting cast is rounded out by a surreal collection of cameos including Alexander Skarsgård, Julia Fox, and Kylie Jenner. The premise follows Charli as she prepares for her massive arena tour debut, but what begins as a standard look behind the curtain of pop stardom quickly spiraling into a fever dream of industry pressure, self-doubt, and actual physical transformation. This film matters because it marks a shift in how celebrities engage with their own brand, using cinema not for PR, but for a public, messy, and often grotesque deconstruction of their own celebrity.
Story and Screenplay: A Sharp Satire with a Dark Undercurrent
The narrative structure of The Moment is intentionally disorienting. It starts with the familiar, handheld intimacy of a documentary, establishing a rhythm that feels almost cozy for fans of the genre. We see the rehearsals, the stressful meetings with label executives (played with wonderful smarm by Jamie Demetriou and Kate Berlant), and the quiet moments of creative isolation. However, the pacing begins to shift as the pressure of the upcoming tour mounts. The script cleverly uses the framework of "the tour preparation" as a ticking clock, but it subverts expectations by refusing to follow the traditional upward trajectory of an artist finding her voice.
Instead, the screenplay explores the dark side of creative ownership. The central theme asks whether the artist is a product of the "fame machine" or a victim of their own self-exploding neuroses. As Charli’s creativity is slowly stripped away by corporate demands, the film takes a jarring but fascinating turn into body-horror territory. The Ibiza sequence is a narrative pivot point that will surely be the most discussed part of the film. It is here that the script stops being a comedy and starts being a nightmare. While this transition is bold, the script’s weakness lies in its final act. The conclusion feels both rushed and strangely languorous in the wrong places, leaving several subplots, such as the rivalry with the fictionalized Johannes (Alexander Skarsgård), dangling in the wind. The film’s refusal to either endorse or fully criticize the late-stage capitalistic world it depicts is a choice that will likely frustrate viewers looking for a clear moral takeaway.
Acting and Characters: Charli’s Fascinating Mask
Charli XCX’s performance is the undeniable core of the film. Playing oneself is often a trap of vanity, but Charli approaches the role with a "clinical distance," as if she is observing a star being formed through a telescope. She is self-deprecating and funny, but there is an underlying sadness that feels remarkably authentic. She portrays the "pop star" not as a goddess, but as a worker in a very strange factory. Her chemistry with the ensemble is varied; with the label executives, she is a defiant but exhausted employee, while with her "friends" like Julia Fox and Rachel Sennott, she occupies a space of shared, cynical understanding.
The supporting cast is utilized effectively to represent different facets of the industry. Rosanna Arquette brings a grounded, veteran presence to the role of Tammy Pitman, providing a needed anchor of reality. Kate Berlant and Jamie Demetriou are comedic highlights, playing the "industry vampires" with such precision that every scene they are in feels like a sharp-edged parody of modern management. Alexander Skarsgård’s Johannes is an intriguing foil, representing the polished, manufactured male counterpart to Charli’s chaotic energy. Special mention must be made of Kylie Jenner’s cameo. Playing a "Valium-Adderall speedball" version of herself, she provides one of the film’s most surreal and unsettling moments, highlighting the "level up" culture that acts as a toxic shadow to artistic integrity.
Direction and Technical Aspects: Visualizing the Pop-Mind
Aidan Zamiri, likely drawing from his experience in the high-concept world of music videos, brings a distinctive visual language to The Moment. The cinematography transitions from the grainy, "found footage" look of the early scenes to a hyper-saturated, glossy aesthetic as Charli’s fame intensifies. This visual storytelling is incredibly effective at conveying her internal state. When she is feeling in control, the frame is wide and stable; when her world begins to crumble, the camera becomes intrusive and the lighting becomes sickly and neon.
The production design is a standout, particularly in the rehearsal spaces and the Ibiza retreat. These environments feel both luxurious and sterile, emphasizing the isolation of the protagonist. The editing, while sharp during the comedic beats, struggles a bit during the transition into the thriller elements. There are moments where the film feels like it is stalling, particularly in the middle of the second act, before it suddenly accelerates into the "body-horror" finale. Despite these pacing issues, the visual composition is consistently striking, often placing Charli in the center of vast, empty spaces that make her look both like a queen and a prisoner.
Trailer The Moment (2026)
Music and Atmosphere: The Sonic Architecture of a Breakdown
Given the subject matter, the score and soundtrack were always going to be vital. With A.G. Cook involved, the audio landscape is a sophisticated extension of the "brat" sound, but with a more experimental, discordant edge. The music doesn’t just play in the background; it acts as a character itself, representing the creative "soul" that is being fought over by the artist and the industry. The sound design is particularly impressive during the more psychological sequences, using distorted vocal samples and industrial hums to create a mood of mounting anxiety.
The overall atmosphere is a delicate balance of "silly and earnest." At its best, the film feels like being "in on the joke" with a group of collaborators who are simultaneously laughing at and terrified of their own success. The audio experience enhances this by blending pop hooks with "psychological thriller" drones. It creates a tonal whiplash that mirrors the protagonist's experience. You are dancing one moment and fearing for her sanity the next. This sonic layering is perhaps the most successful aspect of the film’s technical execution, providing a visceral link between the audience and Charli’s deteriorating mental state.
Strengths and Weaknesses
What works well:
- Meta-Commentary: The film’s fearless deconstruction of celebrity culture and the "fame machine" is sharp and relevant.
- Charli XCX’s Performance: A brave, non-vanity role that manages to be both "fascinating" and "self-deprecating."
- Cameo Usage: Figures like Kylie Jenner and Julia Fox are used not just for star power, but to enhance the film’s surreal, satirical tone.
- Visual and Sonic Style: The transition from mockumentary to psychological thriller is handled with impressive technical flair.
- Cynical Humor: The film is "grimly funny," providing a biting look at late-stage capitalism.
What doesn't work:
- Structural Pacing: The last act feels "rushed" while other sections are "languorous in the wrong places."
- Tonal Shifts: The jump into "body-horror" may be too jarring for viewers who were enjoying the lighter satirical comedy of the first half.
- Lack of Resolution: The film’s "final shot" is a clever visual joke, but it leaves many narrative threads unsatisfactorily addressed.
- Ambiguous Stance: Some might find it frustrating that the film neither fully "endorses nor criticizes" the industry it depicts.
Final Verdict: A Bizarre and Beautiful Artifact of Modern Fame
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
The Moment is a wild, uneven, and ultimately unforgettable cinematic experience. It is a film that demands to be seen by anyone who has followed the recent evolution of pop culture, offering a "clinical distance" that allows us to see the cracks in the glitter. While it stumbles in its final moments, failing to "level up" its plot to match its aesthetic ambition, the sheer audacity of the project makes it a significant release for 2026. It is a messy, beautiful, and "self-exploding" work of art.
This film is a must-watch for "Charli’s friends and collaborators" (meaning her devoted fanbase) and anyone who enjoys high-concept A24 thrillers that lean into the surreal. It will resonate with those who appreciate meta-humor and films that challenge the boundaries between reality and fiction. However, if you are looking for a straightforward, inspirational "birth of a star" story or a cohesive narrative with a clear moral conclusion, you might find The Moment to be a "frustrating" and overly cynical affair. It is not a film that provides easy answers, but it is one that will leave you talking long after the final shot fades to black.
Recommendation: If you’re looking for a double feature that explores the cost of fame, pair this with "The Neon Demon" or "Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping" for a truly chaotic evening. I suggest watching this in a theater with a crowd to fully appreciate the "in on the joke" energy.
 Movie Review: A Glitter-Smeared, Meta-Industrial Deconstruction of Fame that Teeters Between Genius and Chaos){kind=link}
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