Mikes Film Talk

Writer/Director Nicholas Rowley gives us the 2025 short film Television Vision. A film about an extreme case of repression. This tragic tale is set against a man denying his true feelings about a close friend. The two bond over an eclectic TV show and Paul is torn about his feelings and about those “urges.”

Television Vision Story

Paul and Charlie are both big fans of an off-beat television show. It is a “campy Noir” type of show: The Bar is Low. Paul reveals what tensions and self doubt he is going through with his attraction to Charlie.

The Cast

Ty Johnson is Paul.

Gabriel M. Henry is Charlie.

Sean Michael Wells is Frank.

Aiesha Dukes is Gilda.

Nicholas Rowley is Bartender.

Let’s Talk Television Vision

Rowley gives us a tale with a tragic end. The twist is, as Charlie puts it, (sic) “Excellently foreshadowed.” We see things from Ty’s point of view. It is, afterall, his story. There is no way to know what things are running through Charlie’s mind about this awkward love story.

Television Vision, unlike the 2024 film I Saw the TV Glow, (Also about bonding over a TV program.) is not as off the wall. The two characters here are clearer, more visible, if you will, than the protagonists in “Glow.” Both films deal with self realization and a tendency to deny one’s real identity.

Ty’s issue with “being gay” seems to stem from his upbringing. He wears a cross and at one point kisses it. The idea of his being gay, having sexual feelings for his male friend upsets him. So much so that he resorts to a somewhat drastic solution.

Television Vision Verdict

The film runs just under 8 minutes and in that time covers a lot of ground. Rowley implies much with a minimal amount of exposition. Television Vision easily earns a solid 4 stars for ingenuity alone. The budget for this one is listed as $400 (IMDbPro) but it feels like a larger budgeted effort. Kudos to cinematographer Daniel Petrylka and short film auteur Rowley; as editor, for making this look so good. Keep an eye out for this one.

The Trailer