Charli XCX's latest cinematic venture, the mockumentary film titled The Moment, has been met with a wave of critical disapproval, with reviewers branding it as muddled and misguided. The film, which premiered last month, features the 33-year-old singer, whose real name is Charlotte Aitchison, portraying a fictionalised version of herself in a story based on her own concepts.
A Star-Studded Cast and Hybrid Format
Directed by Aidan Zamiri, who co-wrote the screenplay with Bertie Brandes from Charli's original story, The Moment blends authentic footage from Charli's Brat tour with scripted backstage scenes. The ensemble cast includes notable actors such as Rosanna Arquette, Jamie Demetriou, and Alexander Skarsgård, all playing fictional characters within the narrative set in 2024.
Divergent Critical Verdicts
Since its release, critics have delivered sharply divided opinions on the film. Isabela Morales of The Huntington News offered a positive take, stating, "The Moment is another gamble that pays off, cementing the fact that XCX doesn’t owe anyone anything — not a perfect concert film, not a tidy ending and not even the truth."
However, other reviewers were far less impressed. Gregory Nussen from ScreenRant described it as a "horribly misguided mockumentary," adding, "The film is an awkward cross between This Is Spinal Tap and Uncut Gems... None of it works. I'll cut to the quick: The Moment is an unmitigated disaster." He criticised the film's lack of stakes and perceived arrogance.
Nick Levine of NME noted that Charli XCX "gamely plays a more irritable and conflicted version of herself," praising her performance in a scene with Kylie Jenner. Yet, he concluded, "The Moment is too protracted and tonally uneven to work as a great mockumentary, but it has plenty of meme-worthy moments that TikTok will lap up."
Thematic Confusion and Execution Flaws
Further criticism emerged from publications like BFI and The Guardian. Nicolas Rapold of BFI acknowledged Charli's "verve as a performer" but argued that the film's "pretensions to either clever comedy or artistic reflection are lost in the lights" by the time it introduces a Brat-themed bank card promotion.
Adrian Horton from The Guardian commended the film's "smart idea" but pointed out, "There is too little risk – in the defanged satire, in the muddled thematic sprawl, even in a late-stage satirical swing that, for this fan, jumped the shark – to rise above its sharp-eyed construction."
Richard Lawson of The Hollywood Reporter echoed these sentiments, describing the mockumentary as "muddled" and questioning its purpose: "Is this a biting farce about the vacuities of celebrity industry? Or is it an earnest reflection on what it was to live at the centre of this good-natured but still highly pressurised mania?" He noted that the film ultimately leans into "self-serious indulgence."
Additional Critical Perspectives
Other reviews highlighted similar issues. The Sunday Times criticised the "screamingly slim narrative framework," calling it a "feature-length promo with hit’n’miss jokes." The Telegraph compared it unfavourably to Spice World, stating, "Perhaps Charli intended this as her Hard Day’s Night, but what she and Zamiri have turned in is more like an infinitely glummer Spice World."
DiscussingFilm offered a more measured view, noting, "Although the project doesn’t entirely come together, it serves as a proof of concept... It’s fair to say, above all, that it ends the brat era with a shrug rather than a bang." RogerEbert.com found some merit, saying, "Despite its messy second half, it’s amusing to watch Charli skewer her own public persona, celebrity culture, and its corporate packaging."
Overall, The Moment has sparked debate among critics, with many pointing to its tonal inconsistencies and thematic confusion as key weaknesses, despite occasional bright spots and Charli XCX's committed performance.
