people comparing Jax's story to I Saw The TV Glow is so funny because one of these did the trans allegory waaay better, and it's not TADC.
for one, Isabel is actually referred to using she/her pronouns in the movie. there are scenes of her fully transitioned in another world, while still touching upon the tragedy of not transitioning, of living an unhappy and unfulfilled life as a closeted trans woman.
but more importantly, Isabel is not a fucking abuser. she's just a regular person, a good friend and a deeply unhappy individual who is too afraid to transition and join her friend in the real world.
fans say that Jax repressing herself and running away from her problems is her biggest problem and a cautionary tale, while conveniently ignoring or downplaying all of her abusive behavior.
Isabel had a very similar storyline about repressing her own identity and being scared to transition, except the movie didn't fuel transphobic propaganda by making her a violent predatory abuser who gets away with not even a slap on the wrist.
I Saw The TV Glow also actually delves into the horror aspect a lot more. it's not the jumpscare or gore kind of horror, it's more slow and insidious. i really liked the liminal space aesthetic of it all, as well as the whimsigoth vibes of The Pink Opaque. it actually sticks to its theme unlike TADC, which initially seemed like it was going down a horror path but then completely switched genres.
fans say that "you want the show to spell everything out for you!" but I Saw The TV Glow didn't have to spell anything out for its audience, and i still got the message. it's not so much that we don't believe that Jax is trans, it's just shitty representation.
romaincrisis
yousharknotpass
ellievsbear
vaporwave
blakekathryn
