Post-SXSW 2020: TFW NO GF Review

For those who didn’t already know, this year’s SXSW was cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak. We at KLM are still here to do our part to help cover films slated to appear at this year’s festival. To keep up with our latest post-SXSW coverage, click here.

There have been few films that have tackled internet culture in a real and raw way. Most depictions of social media culture in mainstream media have been very cringe-inducing to say the least. Meanwhile, many movies depicting this last decade have been rough, however, the first film to arguably turn this around, thus paving the way to a more accurate depiction of the 2010s, was Bo Burnham’s Eighth Grade.

TFW NO GF is a film that should exist. It has already been getting a lot of flack for allegedly depicting incels as victims. The film is not an indictment of incels in any way but only shines a light on their existence and their beliefs. It’s always fascinating whenever filmmakers highlight lesser-known subcultures and this film does so very well. Unfortunately, an unfocussed narrative renders it ineffective and unable to truly come together. Nevertheless, it still serves as an admirable and insightful effort. The subjects of the film are known to most as incels, or involuntary celibates, or men who think down on the world and believe themselves to be mistreated by society. They lash out their anger and bitterness on the internet, mostly in the form of memes or trolling.

With TFW NO GF, director Alex Lee Moyer delivers an honest and unbiased perspective. She listens to her subjects before giving audiences the choice to form their own opinions. Not being a part this subculture, it was definitely interesting to watch with the understanding that growing up with the internet could influence one’s upbringing. The culture of the 2010s has a certain edge that is hard to depict in media but comes off well here. These people have always existed but places like 4chan and Twitter have amplified their voices, casting off their self dread and nihilism. It may feature plenty of cringe-inducing moments but it shouldn’t be that much of a surprise considering the film’s subject matter. The subjects of the film are lowlives to say the least and they will be the first to admit it. However, some are better then others as many show some individual growth though some will more than likely never change. They don’t want to leave the 4chan community, it is where they find comfort in the world. While the film doesn’t judge them for this, there is certainly a sense of melancholy to it.

Sadly, the intrigue of TFW NO GF doesn’t leave a lasting impression. With a running time of 80+ minutes, the film gets very repetitive and redundant and aimless before an uneventful end. Though the film never seemed to make any headway with any of its subjects, there was still a gut punch of a film here. Perhaps a better strategy could have been to show us that we all possess these same insecurities and are open to speaking about their inner darkest thoughts while touching the tragic nature of how growing up in an online society robbed them of pivotal moments in their childhood. The film also arguably tiptoes around darker subject matter in favor for the Joker controversy and Pepe the Frog, leaving the film on the hollow side.

There’s a lot to admire about TFW NO GF and is well worth the watch for those whose childhoods have been greatly impacted by internet culture. Sadly, the film’s lack of a message other than “look how weird these people are” makes the film feel shallow. Maybe this was because the film’s subjects are hollow but as there’s not much that can be done about that, it all adds up to a final product that never seemed to come together in the end.

still courtesy of SXSW

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Brett Schutt

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