The Moment — Sundance Review
Source: A24
Over the past year, Charli xcx has started to dabble in acting, with performances in Julia Jackman’s 100 Nights of Hero, Pete Ohs’ Erupcja, and Romain Gavras’ Sacrifice. She has three films premiering at this year’s Sundance Film Festival: Gregg Araki’s I Want Your Sex, Cathy Yan’s The Gallerist, and Aidan Zamiri’s The Moment. So far, she’s made some incredibly inspired choices with the films she’s been in. What makes The Moment different from her previous roles is that this time she’s playing a fictionalized version of herself. But that doesn’t make it any less inspired. What’s so fascinating about The Moment is that while other popstars have capitalized on their tours with concert films or behind-the-scenes documentaries, Charli opted for something entirely different after the success of brat summer: a mockumentary.
Source: A24
Not only is brat her most successful album, it was a pop culture phenomenon in its own right. Choosing to frame that moment through a mockumentary instead of a concert film or a genuine peek behind the curtain is an audacious, playful decision that reinforces Charli’s ability to have fun with her persona. The cinematography has the rough-around-the-edges feel of a low-budget documentary, and the editing is flashy, both metaphorically and literally. The stylistic flourishes echo Charli’s chaotic party aesthetic, although the film never fully reaches the kinetic momentum that drives her music. It looks like the cast has a blast working on this project, but it may not be a blast for everyone watching it. Alexander Skarsgård steals the show, delivering a delightfully outlandish performance and providing the film with its strongest comedic beats. Charli’s performance is captivating, but Aidan Zamiri and Bertie Brandes’ screenplay feels as though it’s holding back. Since brat is bold and provocative, a mockumentary inspired by it should feel equally ambitious and swing for the fences.
Source: A24
Zamiri’s film doesn’t lean into humor and absurdity enough to wear the mockumentary label with pride. It feels so adjacent to reality that some viewers less versed in Charli xcx’s career might actually believe this is a genuine behind-the-scenes documentary. For example, a large part of the narrative revolves around a brat credit card, and fans will clearly know that’s purely fictitious, but casual listeners may not realize it was fabricated. Devoted fans will appreciate the winks, nods, cameos, and inside jokes, while newcomers may find themselves unsure when they are meant to laugh.
Source: A24
A mockumentary offers endless possibilities for exaggeration, yet The Moment rarely takes advantage of them. The film lightly satirizes the idea of a popstar as a perfectly managed brand, but it stops short of pushing the concept into more daring territory. Even the celebrity cameos, although amusing, feel more like brief moments of recognition than meaningful contributions to the satire.
One of the most exciting things about Charli xcx’s work is her willingness to experiment and her refusal to take herself too seriously. Unfortunately, The Moment plays it too safe to match Charli’s energy. A mockumentary about brat practically begs for surreal scandals, exaggerated meltdowns, or moments of anarchic absurdity. The absence of any shock factor or creative risks makes the film feel oddly restrained and underwhelming. Nevertheless, Charli’s comfort on screen suggests she’s just getting started. Her instincts as a performer who’s sharp, sly, and unafraid of self-parody hint that she could thrive in roles that give her more space to be more chaotic and unhinged. In the end, The Moment is a clever experiment that reflects Charli’s world and makes a statement about the constant pressure on popstars to monetize their personas and maintain a manufactured sense of authenticity, but it feels far too tame to make a lasting impact.
The Moment premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 2026. It will be released in select theaters on January 30th.
