Horse Girl is one of my all time favorite movies. It came out in 2020 and I didn’t see a single advertisement or promotional clip for it until the moment the title appeared on my Netflix homepage. I was an early-pandemic sophomore at the time, lying sideways in a bed littered with crumbs. I had my laptop balanced on its side so I could watch movies while lying down, and I was probably either between zoom classes or had just finished them for the day. I was about a year out from being formally diagnosed with OCD, from releasing Public Void, and from a lot of other things that I had no way of predicting at that time. In that moment, on every level of my being, I had truly nothing better to do. I hit play.
A few weeks ago I saw a movie called "I saw the TV glow" in theaters and I simply can't stop thinking about it. The whole thing is up to interpretation, but it explores themes of friendship, gender, and our identities as a whole.
The general vibe gives off: the few episodes of a 90s TV show you saw out of context while half asleep at 3:am. You don't know what's going on, it's confusing, maybe even a little scary, but something just makes you keep watching. You'll remember that night for years, but never figure out what show it was.
Or, maybe you will remember, maybe you will find the show. But it doesn't feel right. It doesn't look the same, and you feel silly for being so disturbed by it in the first place.
Anyhow, there's a lot more to it, I'd discribe the plot if it wasn't so complicated. But I really liked the movie and would love to hear your interpretation.
I wished I would have known how interesting the movie would be before listening to this blog, I study psychology and the themes you described resonate so much with my favourite parts about my career (I am Argentinian, we have a very psychoanalytic oriented psychology career) i will definitely watch horse firl as soon as i can. I have a recommendation that I feel that nobody in my circle is interested in, is also on netflix, it's called "I'm thinking of ending things". It's my favourite movie and I just get some of the same feelings watching as listening to some of your songs, it is a movie in appearance about a girl wanting to breakup with her boyfriend, but in the awkward situation of doing it while visiting her boyfriends parents. But is so much more, I see it as a movie about our desires to connect with other people and our inability to do so because of ourselves, I just love it, so that is my recommendation.
And one last thing, your substacks make my day, I have been a fan of your music for four years now and listening to you give basically examples of how hoy proccess information is amazing.
I watched, “I’m thinking of ending things,” and I watch a lot of like artistic, and physiological movies but man that movie had me so lost- also the way half the movie is just them talking in a car for like an hour is so boring. Not that boring is bad I get that’s the point is to simulate the uncomfortable feeling but I couldn’t get into it. I did finish it and loved the artistic stuff like the random dance and hand drawn animation thing, but I was just so lost. However I did read the book after watching and it made everything make soooooo much more sense. I love the way the story is told and love the uniqueness. Holy crap tho watching the movie is a fever dream. I loved watching it (only after i finished it) and I love making people watch it but it’s brutal to get through. (In a good way)
I personally do agree with the feeling relatability with (what society might call) a basic plain girl, I’m honestly tired of the overrated labels and unnecessary stereotypes, let people be themselves even if they aren’t like you (for example with mental illnesses).
I've never heard of this movie before, but after everything you said about it, I'm definitely going to give it a try!
This is my first time listening and reading a substack and I really liked it! I found it really relaxing. The only thing I didn't understand were the random words in italics through the text, for example, in the first line of the fifth paragraph the word "cause" is written in italics. I don't know if this was a mistake or if is something that I am missing :/
Anyways, I really loved it and I hope you keep uploading these!
PD: the only thing I could recommend to you is a show called Pen15. I know you asked for movies, but I don't really watch films very often, plus, it is a show that I found really emotive and funny at the same time. It was the first show that made me really cry. It has a 2000s aesthetic and it's about two girls that start secondary school and have to deal with the problems that a non popular teenager has to. It's based on the writters (who also interpretate the main characters) chilhood traumas and everything they went through. I hope you like shows too and you can give it a try!
Honestly I tried to not read too much because I'm very invested in actually watching this movie myself, which honestly doesn't happen often!
Definitely going to come back after watching and listen to your explanation (very excited)
Id honestly love to see a lot more movie reviews - would you be open to taking recommendations for movies (maybe on insta?) or do you have a set movie list
A few weeks ago I saw a movie called "I saw the TV glow" in theaters and I simply can't stop thinking about it. The whole thing is up to interpretation, but it explores themes of friendship, gender, and our identities as a whole.
The general vibe gives off: the few episodes of a 90s TV show you saw out of context while half asleep at 3:am. You don't know what's going on, it's confusing, maybe even a little scary, but something just makes you keep watching. You'll remember that night for years, but never figure out what show it was.
Or, maybe you will remember, maybe you will find the show. But it doesn't feel right. It doesn't look the same, and you feel silly for being so disturbed by it in the first place.
Anyhow, there's a lot more to it, I'd discribe the plot if it wasn't so complicated. But I really liked the movie and would love to hear your interpretation.
Fun! That one has been on my list to watch
your voice is so soothing
Agreeded
This substack was definitely unexpected but im glad it was,having a rough day and just listening to ur voice mad it a little bit better lol
Rightttt, her voice is just so comforting
This was so calming, thank you Penelope for another substack♥️♥️♥️
I wished I would have known how interesting the movie would be before listening to this blog, I study psychology and the themes you described resonate so much with my favourite parts about my career (I am Argentinian, we have a very psychoanalytic oriented psychology career) i will definitely watch horse firl as soon as i can. I have a recommendation that I feel that nobody in my circle is interested in, is also on netflix, it's called "I'm thinking of ending things". It's my favourite movie and I just get some of the same feelings watching as listening to some of your songs, it is a movie in appearance about a girl wanting to breakup with her boyfriend, but in the awkward situation of doing it while visiting her boyfriends parents. But is so much more, I see it as a movie about our desires to connect with other people and our inability to do so because of ourselves, I just love it, so that is my recommendation.
And one last thing, your substacks make my day, I have been a fan of your music for four years now and listening to you give basically examples of how hoy proccess information is amazing.
i LOVE I'm thinking of ending things. One of my all time favorite movies/books.
I'm thinking of* ending things, not about, but I always say about
I watched, “I’m thinking of ending things,” and I watch a lot of like artistic, and physiological movies but man that movie had me so lost- also the way half the movie is just them talking in a car for like an hour is so boring. Not that boring is bad I get that’s the point is to simulate the uncomfortable feeling but I couldn’t get into it. I did finish it and loved the artistic stuff like the random dance and hand drawn animation thing, but I was just so lost. However I did read the book after watching and it made everything make soooooo much more sense. I love the way the story is told and love the uniqueness. Holy crap tho watching the movie is a fever dream. I loved watching it (only after i finished it) and I love making people watch it but it’s brutal to get through. (In a good way)
I genuinely love how you explain things. Plus I just love you're voice. thank you for this silly little treat of a listening experience!
this was amazing! definitely going to watch the movie later. I feel like you would like Poor Things
I personally do agree with the feeling relatability with (what society might call) a basic plain girl, I’m honestly tired of the overrated labels and unnecessary stereotypes, let people be themselves even if they aren’t like you (for example with mental illnesses).
I loved this so much Pen, free Palestine 🇵🇸🤍
FIRRRST
I honestly think I'm gonna watch this tomorrow it sounds really good
I've never heard of this movie before, but after everything you said about it, I'm definitely going to give it a try!
This is my first time listening and reading a substack and I really liked it! I found it really relaxing. The only thing I didn't understand were the random words in italics through the text, for example, in the first line of the fifth paragraph the word "cause" is written in italics. I don't know if this was a mistake or if is something that I am missing :/
Anyways, I really loved it and I hope you keep uploading these!
PD: the only thing I could recommend to you is a show called Pen15. I know you asked for movies, but I don't really watch films very often, plus, it is a show that I found really emotive and funny at the same time. It was the first show that made me really cry. It has a 2000s aesthetic and it's about two girls that start secondary school and have to deal with the problems that a non popular teenager has to. It's based on the writters (who also interpretate the main characters) chilhood traumas and everything they went through. I hope you like shows too and you can give it a try!
Have a nice day!! :D
Honestly I tried to not read too much because I'm very invested in actually watching this movie myself, which honestly doesn't happen often!
Definitely going to come back after watching and listen to your explanation (very excited)
Id honestly love to see a lot more movie reviews - would you be open to taking recommendations for movies (maybe on insta?) or do you have a set movie list
I've never seen it maybe I'll watch. Also Voice over is such a w in every way.
I watched this film a few years ago and from what I remember it was amazing but I def need to rewatch 💗!!!
this is brilliant penelope pls do more of these!!!
Just getting ready to lie down in bed and this appears! Amazing timing :)