Charli XCX's 'The Moment' Delivers Chaotic Fun but Fades Fast
Charli XCX's latest cinematic venture, The Moment, provides a chaotic, amusing, and seemingly authentic glimpse into the ridiculous world of showbusiness. The mockumentary chronicles the whirlwind that engulfed the singer-songwriter following the massive success of her era-defining 2024 album, Brat. As part of her multi-pronged assault on Hollywood in 2026, Charli has crafted this fun film to commemorate the madness, enlisting a choice selection of buzzy celebrity cameos from Kylie Jenner to Julia Fox and Rachel Sennott to support the close-to-reality narrative.
A Confident Performance Amidst Showbiz Chaos
While her acting in the recent film debut 100 Nights of Hero left some unconvinced, Charli XCX has no problem taking center stage comfortably in The Moment. Her charisma is firmly in place, complemented by an admirable readiness to poke fun at herself—an essential element that makes the entire project work. The film kicks off at full speed with her hit song 365 blaring, flashing strobe lighting, and Charli writhing on the floor during a shoot before plunging viewers into her behind-the-scenes life.
Directed by frequent collaborator Aidan Zamiri, the film delights in capturing the havoc surrounding an artist at the peak of their popular powers. Everything suddenly becomes more frantic and needlessly complicated as she rehearses for an arena tour and an associated concert film that Atlantic Records insists upon to keep 'Brat summer' going. Meanwhile, her assistant suggests a freebie resort stay in Ibiza, and Charli desperately dodges germs from her potentially infectious yet relaxed makeup artist.
Supporting Cast Shines in Awkward Moments
Jamie Demetriou holds things together with an excellently awkward performance as Charli's permanently harassed and ineffectual tour manager, struggling to assert himself. Similarly, the boys on her team thought they 'smashed' a meeting where Rosanna Arquette's brittle label exec Tammy completely steamrolled them. The film navigates entertaining chaos, including a partnership on a 'Brat green' credit card for young queer people—'How do you know, do they have to prove it?' Charli sensibly asks, leaving her team stumped—and a Vogue 'What's in my bag?' interview that must be done on stilts after the singer is sewn into her dress.
Alexander Skarsgård appears as the inexplicably popular director Johannes, ragingly mainstream yet bafflingly well-connected. He name-drops the likes of 'Abel' and 'Demi' while promising Charli that any changes he suggests are 'not a compromise but an opportunity.' Skarsgård isn't stretched in this role but seems to have fun playing against type as someone fundamentally uncool, with his mic-drop idea being, 'Have you heard of light-up wristbands?'
Unexpected Highlights and Real Moments
Kylie Jenner emerges as an unexpected highlight, bumping into Charli and lightly admonishing her for keeping the director so busy that he can't work on a pillow advert with her. As Charli worries about flogging Brat to death, Kylie assures her that when everyone is sick of you is exactly when you should 'go even harder.' Their beautifully uncomfortable encounter is one of the funniest, realest scenes in The Moment, which prides itself on including excruciating details whenever possible.
Despite proving an entertaining distraction most of the time, The Moment leaves questions about its target audience beyond Charli's most avid fans. The film offers a gently amusing time, but its funniest gags already fade from memory. It serves as a definitive way to announce that the Brat era is over—though fans already knew that thanks to her newly released Wuthering Heights soundtrack album for Emerald Fennell's movie.
Verdict: Enjoyable but Limited Impact
The Moment enjoys stretching chaos, panic, and Britishness to the max, truly exploiting everything a mockumentary can offer. Charli XCX is a game and entertaining subject, but the film won't make much impact for anyone other than her dedicated followers. Released in UK and Irish cinemas on February 20, 2026, The Moment runs for 1 hour and 43 minutes with a 15 age rating, featuring a cast that includes Charli XCX, Alexander Skarsgård, Rosanna Arquette, and Jamie Demetriou.
