Talk to Me
Title: Talk to Me Review: A Modern Twist on Possession HorrorIn "Talk to Me," Danny and Michael Philippou deliver an exceptional horror debut that ingeniously modernizes possession movies. A group of teens discovers a mummified hand that allows them to communicate with the dead, but what starts as a viral challenge turns into a terrifying nightmare. Sophie Wilde's brilliant performance as Mia, a lonely teen, brings surprising emotional warmth to the film. Joe Bird's portrayal of possession victim Riley is hauntingly intense. The movie cleverly critiques our relationship with social media and explores existential themes, making it a perfect treatise on the struggles of lonely individuals in the 2020s. "Talk to Me" captures the zeitgeist just as "The Exorcist" did for the 1970s. A must-watch for horror enthusiasts and anyone interested in thought-provoking cinema.
The buzz surrounding Talk to Me is electrifying. A fresh horror offering from A24, the creators of Hereditary, The Witch, and Midsommar, has fans excited. Talk to Me undeniably deserves its place among the best horror films this year.
On the anniversary of her mother's untimely death, Mia (Sophie Wilde), along with her best friend Jade (Alexandra Jensen) and Jade's younger brother Riley (Joe Bird), sneaks out to a house party. There, they stumble upon a new game called Talk to Me. Classmates hold a plaster hand and say, "Talk to me. I let you in." A spirit of the deceased then possesses them. But if they don't release the hand and blow out the candle within 90 seconds, the spirit might linger.
Thrilled by the experience, Mia and Jade invite more friends to join in. Fun turns to terror when Riley becomes possessed by Mia's late mother. Panic ensues, leading to disastrous consequences. Riley ends up in a coma, and Mia, haunted by visions of her deceased mother, struggles to reach him.
Directors Danny and Michael Phillipou skillfully execute their debut feature. Instead of relying on jump scares, they create dread through eerie imagery and ghostly tension. Their background as YouTubers helps maintain a well-paced and tightly woven story. Despite the eerie atmosphere, the film offers levity during party scenes, reminiscent of their lighter YouTube content.
The practical effects add to the unsettling nature of the movie, depicting ghastly spirits as bloated, decaying corpses rather than typical wispy ghosts. Though not excessively gory, the spirits exude menace, evoking a sense of imminent violence.
Sophie Wilde delivers a standout performance as Mia, embodying her character's carefree, grieving, and unhinged aspects with exceptional skill.
Other notable performances include Joe Bird as Riley, a sweet and non-whiny 14-year-old. Zoe Terakes impresses as Hayley, the possessor of the hand, displaying a mix of fun and intimidation.
Unlike A24's so-called "elevated horror," Talk to Me prioritizes genuine scares over emotional devastation. The film breaks away from that trend and aligns with last year's Bodies Bodies Bodies, catering to Gen Z audiences.
While the film excels in most areas, the haunting subplot involving Mia's mother feels somewhat extraneous. The primary focus revolves around rescuing Riley and dealing with the lingering spirit, leaving the mother's haunting feeling unnecessary.
The plot remains straightforward without complex twists or mysteries to unravel. The seances create a thrilling rush, making the film's appeal easy to understand. The hand's origins and powers remain unknown, but it doesn't detract from the chilling experience. Simply sit back, and let Talk to Me scare you silly.
Short Review Movie
In
"Talk to Me," a group of teens discovers a mummified hand that allows
them to communicate with the dead. Mia (Sophie Wilde) realizes that making
friends through this power comes with dark consequences. The film cleverly
modernizes possession horror, using smartphones to document their experiences.
As the teens face the repercussions, the movie delves into generational divides
and the impact of social media on relationships. With exceptional performances
and emotional depth, "Talk to Me" becomes a haunting reflection of
lonely individuals unable to connect. It's a multi-layered horror film that
captures the spirit of the 2020s, akin to how "The Exorcist" did for
the 1970s.