The spotlight found Charli XCX, and it didn’t let go. Following the explosive success of her 2024 album *Brat*, the singer’s world tilted into a whirlwind of industry demands and surreal encounters. Now, she’s offering an unfiltered glimpse behind the curtain with *The Moment*, a mockumentary that feels startlingly, hilariously real.
The film throws you directly into the chaos. A pulsing beat, flashing lights, and Charli, lost in the energy of a photoshoot. Then, a rapid descent into the frantic reality of life on the brink of an arena tour. It’s a world of conflicting priorities – a free trip to Ibiza versus dodging germs from a cheerfully oblivious makeup artist.
Aidan Zamiri, a frequent collaborator, directs with a keen eye for the absurd. He captures the escalating frenzy as Atlantic Records pushes for a concert film to prolong the “Brat summer,” while Charli’s team grapples with everything from a baffling credit card partnership for young queer people to a Vogue “What’s in my bag?” interview conducted entirely on stilts.
Jamie Demetriou shines as the perpetually overwhelmed tour manager, a masterclass in awkwardness as he struggles to navigate a team convinced they “smashed” a meeting that was, in reality, a complete dismantling by a formidable label executive, played with icy precision by Rosanna Arquette.
The film doesn’t shy away from poking fun at the industry itself. A director, Johannes (Alexander Skarsgård), inexplicably popular and relentlessly mainstream, promises “opportunities” disguised as compromises, all while side-eyeing the explicit lyrics displayed on stage. Skarsgård embraces the role of the fundamentally uncool with visible delight.
Unexpectedly, Kylie Jenner delivers some of the film’s most genuinely funny moments. A casual encounter with Charli turns into a light scolding over the director’s divided attention, as he’s needed for a pillow advertisement. It’s a beautifully uncomfortable scene, a testament to the film’s commitment to excruciating detail.
Charli herself is a revelation, radiating charisma and a willingness to laugh at the absurdity of it all. She’s a captivating subject, navigating the pressures of maintaining momentum while quietly questioning whether she’s pushing *Brat* too far. “When everyone is sick of you,” Kylie advises, “is exactly when you should go even harder.”
Ultimately, *The Moment* feels like a definitive closing of the *Brat* chapter. Though it’s an entertaining ride, one wonders who the primary audience truly is. It’s a film for the devoted fans, a peek behind the curtain that offers amusement but perhaps lacks broader resonance. The funniest gags, while memorable in the moment, don’t linger long after the credits roll.
Despite this, *The Moment* succeeds in stretching the chaos, panic, and uniquely British sensibilities to their absolute limit. It’s a film that revels in the possibilities of the mockumentary format, and Charli XCX is a remarkably game and engaging guide through the madness.
