“Screams from the Tower” is a fun and inspiring throwback film set in the ’90s

05/19/2026

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This horizontal, medium-close shot captures four teenagers huddling together and looking down with warm, curious expressions. On the far left, a young woman with short brown hair and a nose ring smiles brightly, wearing a textured brown sweater and layered necklaces. Next to her, a blonde boy in a plaid shirt leans in with a gentle smirk, his arm around a second boy with dark curly hair who wears a collared shirt and a quiet, thoughtful smile. On the far right, a young Black woman with her hair in two braided puffs laughs joyfully, wearing a white cardigan over a floral top and red overalls. The scene is lit by soft, overhead indoor lighting, suggesting a friendly and intimate moment of shared discovery among friends. — "Screams from the Tower" Snag Flynn, Richie Fusco, David Bloom & Sydney Lolita Cusic

This horizontal image features a young woman with Down syndrome smiling radiantly toward the camera in what appears to be a school hallway or office setting. She has long dark hair pulled back into a high ponytail with a bright pink scrunchie and is wearing a light-colored denim jacket. In the blurred background, several other students and a teacher are visible; some are standing in a line, while an American flag hangs on the far wall. The lighting is warm and indoor, capturing a joyful, candid moment in a bustling environment. — “Screams from the Tower” Madison Tevlin

High school comedies that once defined the 1980s and 1990s now feel largely like a relic of the past. In 2026, the genre seems all but dormant, as teen audiences gravitate toward darker, more stylized series like Euphoria and Wednesday. Still, there remains a niche audience hungry for lighthearted, earnest portrayals of high school life. With queer storytelling continuing to gain momentum, there’s a particular opportunity for films that explore LGBTQ adolescence with a brighter, more optimistic tone.

Screams from the Tower aims to fill that gap. Directed by Cory Wexler Grant and premiering at the Midwest Film Festival in June 2024, the film is now available to rent on digital platforms such as Fandango at Home and Prime Video.

The story follows two friends, Julien (Richie Fusco) and Cary (David Bloom), who start their own radio talk show at their high school. As they dive into this creative outlet, they also face the challenges of growing up in the mid-’90s — particularly the struggle to understand and embrace their sexual identities.

The film is a colorful burst of joy, immersing viewers in the wild antics of its two leads. Through Julien and Cary, the messiness of the teenage years is portrayed in a way that feels both outrageous and deeply relatable, tapping into a sense of nostalgia for that chaotic time. Their unfiltered dynamic — especially on their talk show — brings plenty of humor, but also a surprising warmth, reminding viewers of the freedom and intensity of adolescence. That time of being carefree and so loose is also important to hold onto as an adult as it can sometimes get hard to remember your true self.

This wide-angle shot features three young people in a setting similar to the waiting room shown in Screams from the Tower 2.jpg. In the foreground, two teenage boys sit side-by-side with neutral, slightly expectant expressions. The boy on the left, with styled blonde hair and a silver chain, wears a purple t-shirt featuring a vinyl record graphic, while the boy on the right, with dark curly hair, wears a blue and green horizontal striped polo shirt. Standing directly behind them is a young woman wearing round glasses, a dark headband, and a multi-colored oversized hoodie, looking toward the camera with a serious expression. The room maintains an institutional feel with a blue and white checkered floor, orange plastic chairs along the wall, and an American flag visible in the background. — “Screams from the Tower” Richie Fusco, TJ Lee & David Bloom

There is some resistance, however, particularly from the teacher overseeing the show, whose stern, no-nonsense attitude puts her at odds with the boys’ unfiltered style. Watching her attempt to rein them in — even as their popularity grows — adds an engaging layer of tension. It serves as a reminder that self-expression often invites criticism, and not everyone will be receptive.

That conflict is balanced by Julien’s relationship with April, a cafeteria worker who becomes a source of warmth and support. She is a compassionate, grounding presence in his life, encouraging him to embrace his identity and reassuring him that having a boyfriend is nothing to be ashamed of. Their bond is one of the film’s sweetest elements, culminating in a memorable moment when Julien brings her into his world on the show.

This wide-angle shot from the production Screams from the Tower 1.jpg shows two teenage boys sitting side-by-side in a waiting room or office. The boy on the left has styled blonde hair and wears an open checkered shirt over a purple t-shirt featuring a graphic of Madonna, complete with a silver chain. Beside him, the second boy has dark, curly hair and wears a multi-colored horizontal striped sweater. Both boys have serious, slightly anxious expressions as they look toward something off-camera. The setting features a blue and white checkered floor, several orange plastic chairs, and a neutral-toned wall, creating a clinical or institutional atmosphere. — “Screams from the Tower” Richie Fusco & David Bloom

High school is both an exciting and deeply anxious time, shaped by the uncertainty of approaching adulthood and entering the workforce. Screams from the Tower does a strong job exploring that transition through the perspective of two queer teenagers. Its throwback setting — before the rise of social media — also opens up interesting ideas about how media was once more tightly controlled, and how easily voices could be censored.

In contrast to today, where creating a podcast requires little more than a microphone and an internet connection, the film feels like a quiet critique of an era when it was easier for queer teens to remain closeted. Julien and Cary are characters who reflect both the struggles and the beauty of coming to terms with a sexuality that sets them apart from the majority.