The Moment (2026) Parents Guide

In the summer of 2024, Charli xcx’s sixth studio album, Brat, seemed to be everywhere neon slime colors, lowercase letters, and an endless parade of online hype. So it’s fitting that the movie inspired by this period, The Moment, doesn’t follow the usual concert-film blueprint. Rather than leaning on backstage clips or tour rehearsals leading up to a climactic performance, Charli and director Aidan Zamiri dive headfirst into mockumentary territory, skewering the pressures of pop fame and the tug-of-war over creative control. The results aren’t flawless, but Charli, as always, brings chaos and charisma to every frame.

The film opens with a literal bang: Charli xcx spinning under strobing lights that shift from green to blue to red, accompanied by a flashing warning. It’s September 2024, the early days of the Brat era, and the party is infectious until Charli finally catches her breath. From there, we follow her across London, onto a British Vogue shoot, through terse Zoom calls in a limo, and back to a party that serves as a brief respite from the endless grind of fame. As plans for a concert film threaten to derail her creative vision and strain her relationship with her creative director, the whirlwind surrounding Charli grows ever more turbulent. With her label, managers, and a particularly opinionated director (Alexander Skarsgård) all vying to dictate how Brat Summer should unfold, Charli faces the central question: what does “Brat” mean to her, and is it time to let “the moment” end?

Highly Recommended:Chasing Summer (2026) Parents Guide

Charli throws herself fully into the role of the mercurial pop star, flitting between moods and whims that keep her team on their toes. She can come across as selfish, yet it feels intentional a satirical exaggeration of the way many pop stars navigate the aftermath of a hit album while figuring out their next move. The Moment, adapted from Charli’s own experiences with co-writers Zamiri and Bertie Brandes, doesn’t offer much traditional concert footage, but it brims with sly commentary on the industry. Highlights include a mischievous subplot about a “Brat”-branded credit card and a dizzying array of commercials featuring Charli selling everything from wine to skincare, underscoring the absurdity of celebrity branding.

In its satire, the film nods to the inescapable machinery of fame from late-night talk shows to endless hours in the makeup chair. Cameos by Kate Berlant, Kylie Jenner, and Rachel Sennot (whose line, “Are you doing the Joaquin Phoenix thing?” lands perfectly) add extra sparkle. The Moment owes a little to the DNA of Casey Affleck’s I’m Still Here, the mockumentary chaos of This Is Spinal Tap, and even Howard Stern’s Private Parts, blending irreverence with a critique of corporate control.

Visually, Zamiri teams with cinematographer Sean Price Williams to craft a stylish aesthetic, though after the explosive opening, the film often defaults to a faux-cinema vérité style, observing events as if the crew is simultaneously present and invisible. The middle section loses some momentum, wandering into interpersonal squabbles reminiscent of The Thick of It, but without the quick-fire editing or punchy humor. The kinetic energy of the opening party never fully returns.

Still, it’s a delight to watch Charli lampoon her own public image, the culture of celebrity, and the executives who package and sell it. Brat Summer may have burned bright and then fizzled, but The Moment serves as Charli xcx’s farewell to that era a cheeky, chaotic, self-aware parting gift, premiered at Sundance in Park City, Utah.

The Moment (2026) Parents Guide

Violence & Intensity: There’s no graphic violence in The Moment, but the film’s tension comes from emotional and professional conflicts. Charli xcx’s whirlwind life tense Zoom calls, clashes with managers and directors, and public meltdowns creates a sense of stress and intensity that may feel overwhelming for younger viewers.

Language: Expect frequent strong language. Characters pepper their dialogue with profanity and occasionally cutting insults. The tone is playful but pointed, reflecting the behind-the-scenes chaos of pop stardom. While nothing feels gratuitously hateful, the satire doesn’t shy away from sharp, adult humor.

Sexual Content / Nudity: Sexual content is mild and mostly implied rather than shown. There are references to dating, flirtation, and adult relationships, but nudity is minimal to nonexistent. Any sexual jokes are framed within the film’s satirical lens on celebrity life.

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Drugs, Alcohol & Smoking: Characters are seen drinking, and casual references to recreational drug use occur, though nothing is glamorized it’s part of the chaotic, over-the-top pop world Charli navigates.

Age Recommendations: Given the combination of strong language, adult themes, and mild substance use, The Moment is best suited for older teens and adults roughly 17 and up. Younger viewers may find the social satire and intense celebrity drama confusing or overwhelming.

The Moment opens January 30th, 2026.

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