Phoebe Bridgers really knows how to make something sound like an emotional breakdown, doesn’t she?

“On Video” is Phoebe Bridgers’ song for the end credits of Primetime, the new A24 film about Chris Hansen and To Catch a Predator, starring Robert Pattinson. Phoebe is also in the film, playing one of the show’s decoys.

The best word to describe this song is unsettling. Surveillance sits at the center of everything, with Phoebe opening the chorus by declaring that it has all been caught “on video.” Eerie background vocals and disturbing sound effects give the production the atmosphere of a horror movie. Once the chorus arrives, roaring guitars, thunderous drums, and additional layers overwhelm the mix in the best possible way. It sounds like someone screaming until a nervous breakdown finally leaves their body.

The lyrics only make the song more disturbing. The person being watched appears completely innocent—possibly even a child. She makes snow angels, celebrates her birthday, and has her face painted while the speaker records everything. It’s an incredibly bold perspective for Phoebe to explore, but she commits to it without hesitation. Based on what I’ve read about Primetime, much of the album is meant to make listeners uncomfortable, and this track certainly accomplishes that.

Phoebe Bridgers is brilliant at creating music that feels cathartic, and this song is a perfect example. However, it leaves you far too unsettled to experience the relief that usually follows an emotional release. This is less like taking a deep breath afterward and more like letting out one enormous, uncontrollable scream. It is absolute, unnerving perfection.

Emma Platt