12 Films Charli XCX can’t get out of her head

If Brat Summer proved anything, it is that Charli XCX is someone whose style and taste define an entire generation. We are already booking tickets for her concert in the neighborhood this August, rewatching the new video for her old hit Party 4 You on repeat, and perfecting every lyric that will be sung in unison. But beyond topping every music playlist, Charli’s influence stretches much further into contemporary pop culture, now shaping what we watch as much as what we listen to. Six months after her Letterboxd profile leaked, the British pop star began sharing her film reviews on TikTok and Instagram—and of course, we took detailed notes. Below are 12 films Charli XCX can’t get out of her head these days. Get ready for a marathon.

Unzipped (1995)

One of the first fashion documentaries to reveal how creating a collection can be personal, chaotic, and deeply uncertain. Unzipped follows designer Isaac Mizrahi as he prepares for his New York Fashion Week show—from the first sketches to the final runway. Filmed when 1990s fashion was at its peak, it features the era’s supermodels and unveils the real dynamics behind all the glamour. Appearances include Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Christy Turlington, John Galliano, and other icons of the fashion scene.

“This is my favorite thing I’ve watched this month,” says Charli XCX. “Directed by Douglas Keeve, it follows Isaac Mizrahi as he gets ready for his New York Fashion Week collection. If you love fashion, you have to see this documentary. All the legends are there—Kate, Naomi, Christy—and even Galliano and Polly Mellen. But most importantly, the film perfectly captures the artist’s creative process: bursts of inspiration, self-doubt, vulnerability, and finally, triumph.”

Catwalk (1995)

This black-and-white documentary follows Christy Turlington through a single fashion season—from Milan to Paris and then New York. Filmed in close proximity, it captures the everyday life of a model shaping the industry: fittings, quick changes, and behind-the-scenes interactions. The film also highlights friendships among models, especially her connection with Naomi Campbell and Carla Bruni.

“Very honest, shot in black and white. It beautifully shows her relationship with Naomi and the other models… There’s a brilliant moment with Carla Bruni. Super cool. And the soundtrack by Malcolm McLaren is great.”

The Bling Ring (2013)

Sofia Coppola reconstructs the true story of a group of Los Angeles teenagers who, obsessed with fame and luxury, broke into the homes of celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan. The Bling Ring is not a typical thriller but rather a study of superficiality, the hunger for attention, and the influence of pop culture on younger generations. Both a critique of its time and a visual snapshot of the Y2K aesthetic, the film showcases a style that, as Charli notes, has made a full comeback.

“I watched it for the fourth time. It feels like the film becomes more culturally relevant every time I see it. And it always plays like a juicy tabloid story, which I think is entirely the point. Also, the fashion in it feels current again. Every outfit looks exactly like something you’d find in Addison Rae’s closet.”

Part of the Weekend Never Dies (2008)

A dynamic portrait of Soulwax’s concert tour, filmed before mobile phones took over the atmosphere in clubs. The film blends backstage footage, live performances, and uncensored party scenes from around the world. It follows the band, the audience, and the energy that once defined nightlife—no script, no corrections, just raw sound and stage intensity.

“Obviously I’m in my documentary era… This one is great if you like watching people having fun. It’s full of incredible party footage. You can totally tell it’s from a time before people used phones at concerts, so the energy feels almost tangible. Also, shoutout to my tour manager who appears in this documentary,” says Charli XCX.

28 Years Later (2025)

The continuation of Danny Boyle’s well-known series (28 Days Later, 28 Weeks Later), this new installment returns after a long break with a modern take on the post-apocalyptic genre. The story takes place three decades after the initial outbreak, in a world that has changed—but not healed.

“I watched it between soundcheck and my set at Dua Lipa’s concert. I literally crossed the street to see it. Danny Boyle is back.”

Au Hasard Balthazar (1966)

Robert Bresson’s film follows the life of a donkey named Balthazar, who changes owners over the years and experiences both tenderness and cruelty. Each transition reveals something about human nature and the world around them. Shot with minimalism and restraint, yet carrying deep emotional weight, the film is often cited as one of the most moving works in European cinema.

“This is such, such, such a sad film. If you need a good cry—watch it. I did,” says Charli XCX.

The Happening (2008)

In this ecological thriller, M. Night Shyamalan portrays the outbreak of mass panic as people begin to behave irrationally, driven by an unexplained force. Starring Mark Wahlberg and Zooey Deschanel in an unusual pairing, the film received mixed reviews upon release but later gained cult status precisely because of its strangeness.

“I was in Italy with George, and we did an M. Night marathon. I hadn’t seen this one before—they say it wasn’t well received when it came out? I thought it was fantastic. Wahlberg and Deschanel are such an odd match, but they’re fun to watch. He wears this huge mood ring for no reason at all, which makes it even funnier.”

The Appointment (1982)

A rarely screened British psychological thriller that exists somewhere between the everyday and the eerily inexplicable. Directed by Lindsey Vickers—his only feature film—it follows a man haunted by a premonition that something terrible will happen to his daughter, though he cannot explain why. The film offers no clear answers, instead building an atmosphere of unease through silence and suggestion.

“I love it. This guy, Lindsey Vickers, made only this film and a BBC documentary about Richmond. It’s really surreal, really strange. It kind of reminds me of British TV shows I grew up with, like The Queen’s Nose. There’s something uncanny about it. It has a Twin Peaks vibe… I really love this film,” says Charli XCX.

The Village (2004)

M. Night Shyamalan’s mysterious drama is set in an isolated village whose inhabitants live in fear of unseen creatures lurking in the surrounding woods. Blending 19th-century aesthetics, psychological tension, and Shyamalan’s signature twists, the film moves away from conventional horror to explore atmosphere, perception of fear, and the ways a community protects—or confines—itself from the outside world.

“I really love this film. I don’t know how to explain it, but watching M. Night’s movies feels like going to an amusement park for me. If you know what I mean—you know. If not, sorry.”

Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1975)

Pier Paolo Pasolini’s controversial film, loosely inspired by the Marquis de Sade’s novel, is set in fascist Italy and follows a group of young people captured by powerful men who subject them to brutal physical and psychological torment. Often described as extreme, shocking, and thematically heavy, the film is less a viewing experience than a subject of analysis.

“I don’t think I need to explain this one—you can read everything about it online,” says Charli XCX succinctly.

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (2025)

The fourth installment in the Bridget Jones series follows Bridget as a single mother once again navigating love, her own insecurities, and modern life. Inspired by the novel of the same name, the film blends the familiar humor of the franchise with the emotional nuances of middle age. Hugh Grant does not appear, but Colin Firth returns.

“I needed something light after everything else I’d been watching, so I put on Bridget Jones 4. I haven’t even seen the third one, but it honestly doesn’t matter. I cried twice. I was totally PMS-ing,” she adds.

Mouchette (1967)

Another film by Robert Bresson, this one centers on a young girl from rural France confronting a hostile and indifferent world. Shot in Bresson’s signature style—with nonprofessional actors and minimal dialogue—it explores themes of sorrow, isolation, and helplessness without a trace of sentimentality.

“I’m really in my Bresson phase right now. I love how he works with inexperienced actors. His films are simple but incredibly powerful, and I can’t wait to watch more of his work.”