How do you navigate overnight mainstream fame after years of hard work behind the scenes of pop music? “The Moment,” directed by Aidan Zamiri, is a satirical documentary-style film that dives deep into this question through the lens of pop star Charli XCX. The film opens in September 2024, when Charli is in rehearsal for her “Brat” tour. It follows the complex journey of how her album is marketed and monetized, specifically through the making of a concert film.
Charli XCX’s 2024 album “Brat” wasn’t just a hit, it was a pop culture phenomenon. Released in June 2024, it instantly became viral, launching what was known as “Brat Summer.” The album even made an appearance in the 2024 U.S. presidential election when Charli tweeted, “Kamala is brat.” This tweet boosted Democratic candidate Kamala Harris’s popularity with younger voters.
But underneath this mainstream success is a more complicated story. Charli XCX’s relationship with fame shifted completely as her music started reaching a new audience.
Charli didn’t just emerge overnight. She’s been creating music for over a decade, starting out on online platforms like MySpace and Tumblr, before being signed to Atlantic Records in 2010. Her debut album, “True Romance” (2013), was released at a time when she was mostly known for co-writing the song “I Love It” with Icona Pop in 2012. Over the years, she’s released six more albums and numerous EPs and singles, before finally breaking through with “Brat.”
“The Moment” centers around tour rehearsals, the making of the concert film, and the launch of a partnered “Brat” debit card. But at its core, the film explores Charli’s fears of losing the fame her album gave her. After working so hard for years, she’s scared that ending this part of her career means losing the attention and fans she gained.
This inner conflict is shown through key characters Johannes (Alexander Skarsgård) and Celeste (Hailey Gates). Johannes is Charli’s concert film director. He uses his position to change the show into something more “family-friendly” and more like what the mainstream pop world expects. Celeste is Charli’s friend and creative director. She actually understands who Charli is as a person and as an artist and wants to help her stay true her vision.
Celeste and Charli’s fight shows her willingness to give up her integrity as an artist to keep her fame. The pressure Charli feels is made even clearer through short but powerful cameos from Rachel Sennott and Kylie Jenner, showing the relentless pressures of celebrity culture. Later, Charli decides to let the concert film “kill” the Brat era and makes peace with losing her place in the spotlight.
“The Moment” is a beautiful farewell to the Brat era. It’s a blend of humor, satire, and emotional depth that reveals the unconventional standards of the pop industry. This movie is a must-watch for fans of Charli. And for those new to her work, it’s a great invitation to explore her earlier music.
Charli XCX is continuing to work on new projects. On Feb. 13, the film adaptation of “Wuthering Heights” was released, which features a score composed by Charli. She also has several film projects in the making, further expanding her artistic ability.
Drennen • Mar 26, 2026 at 1:03 pm
So interesting!!