In the bone-chilling (or should I say, bone-cracking) Australian supernatural horror film Talk to Me, we are treated to a gripping tale about a close-knit circle of friends who stumble upon a mysterious embalmed hand with the power to conjure spirits.
Talk to Me, the directorial debut of YouTube sensations RackaRacka (Danny and Michael Philippou), features a talented ensemble cast, including Alexandra Jensen, Joe Bird, Miranda Otto (‘The Lord of the Rings’ film series), and Sophie Wilde (whose performance was phenomenal). The film plunges headfirst into the consequences of curiosity and the relentless thirst for supernatural experiences, leading its characters down a path fraught with unimaginable horrors.
Right from its captivating opening scene, Talk to Me establishes a tone that will immediately engage you and leave you hopeful that it will not falter (spoiler alert: it won't). The film’s originality evokes a sensation akin to the impact Hereditary had on me, even though the two films are not directly comparable.
Talk to Me delves into the themes of isolation and the relentless pursuit of validation in a society heavily engulfed by social media. It serves as a poignant allegory for the relentless pressure to gain peer acceptance and the perilous pitfalls that accompany this pursuit. The movie also effectively examines pertinent topics, such as sexual fantasies, the sense of loss, and the feeling of exclusion, all of which contribute to the horrors of teenage angst.
Notably, the film refrains from resorting to cheap jump scares, opting instead for a psychologically unsettling approach. It’s during the moments when we, the viewers, are left in the dark, mirroring the characters’ uncertainty, that the true terror takes root.
Talk to Me masterfully constructs tension, delivering gratifying payoffs without relying on gimmicks. While certain segments may become intense and gory, they are executed swiftly, never lingering to the point of desensitization.
One of the film’s remarkable strengths lies in its well-drawn characters. Rather than following the tired horror trope where characters lack depth and merely serve as fodder for gruesome ends, Talk to Me brings to life authentic portrayals that lend weight to the characters’ fates, making me genuinely care about their outcomes.
The film also incorporates humor, thanks to Otto’s performance as a mother character who effectively stands out in a teen-oriented movie. This humor differentiates itself from the overdone, exhausting, and out-of-place comedic elements commonly seen in contemporary films.
Now, let’s talk about the ending. When it comes to horror films, the way they wrap up the story can make or break the whole experience. After my recent disappointment with ‘Smile,’ a horror movie that had a promising start but a letdown ending, I was a bit cautious about what to expect from Talk to Me. But the latter pleasantly surprised me with how it handled its final scenes. It struck the right balance that many horror films struggle to achieve. The ending felt correct and satisfying, neatly tying up the loose ends and completing the story in a way that I had hoped for.
A24 has reportedly greenlit a sequel, and it's a decision I’d gladly greet with a handshake.
4.5/5
Photo credit: A24
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