How ‘The Moment’ has made me admire Charli XCX more, plus win double passes to the movie
Charli XCX is quite the conundrum. She’s been at the music-making game since ye olde Myspace days yet many think she’s just an overnight success. She appears to defy traditionalist aesthetics and behaviour but can go from bratty to classic in a blink of an eye. Even her accent shifts occasionally from Essex street-style to posh. And when she delivers a behind-the-scenes look at her rollercoaster life on the road, you’re not sure if you’re watching a genuine music documentary or mockumentary. But then, that’s the beauty of The Moment, a film in which Charli plays herself (presumably she’s not acting too much), an artist navigating the complexities of fame and industry pressure while preparing for her arena tour debut.
As an on-again, off-again fan of Charli’s, I am truly surprised myself at how much I enjoyed watching The Moment. Charli is a Leo through and through, and as a fellow of that starsign, I can see how she finds it easy to ‘switch’ full-on into pop star character when the cameras are rolling, even though all she really wants to do is curl up and sleep for a full day (or two).
I used to bitch about how one minute Charli is all sensitive-like and the next she is raucous and boisterous and bitchy and bossy. But then I realised that’s what things are like when you’re 33. And a Leo. And a creative type. And when everyone wants a piece of your ass (suggestion Charli: drop some of your redudant entourage, they’ll only weigh you down).
Watching The Moment also makes the viewer realise there’s more to Charli than just cheeky bratness. When you compare the rushed-sounding likes of much of the hyperpop on that album (even if some songs took weeks to make) with the quality of her more recent Wuthering Heights soundtrack creations, I can see why she’d want to put the brat ‘moment’ to bed as a step toward presenting herself as a more credible creative artist.
This docu/mockumentary of a film is enjoyable in so many ways. There are some subtle digs at former supposed ‘It’ girls (goodbye Julia, thanks anyway); jibes at just how silly stereotypes and conditioning can be (a lime green ‘brat’ credit card created especially for the gays? Even Charli’s shocked); and some great over-the-top acting from industry veterans who pretty much get the ironic place Charli is coming from (Rosanna Arquette plays a brilliant bitch, and Alexander Skarsgard is so pedantic in his camp stage directions, you’d think he was the real gay deal).
I could watch The Moment again (and maybe again) when it lands on streaming channels but for full brilliant neon effect (complete with strobe-like credits), you’ve got to see this film on the big screen.
GIVEAWAY!
Cream has 10 inseason double passes to give away to see The Moment in cinemas now. To try winning, simply tell us how you think Charli should spell her ‘surname’ going forward: XCX, Xcx, or xcx. Your answer in the Comments of the Facebook post here. There’s no right answer and winners will be drawn at random, with double passes sent digitally. Competition closes 5pm AWST, Sunday 8 March, 2026.
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