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Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
Australian twin brothers Danny and Michael Philippou’s directorial debut, Talk to Me, released earlier this weekend. Like its distant A24 cousin, Hereditary, the supernatural horror film is more tragic than anything else you may have seen in the genre. While I do cover horror titles here at The Cinema Spot, it is not often that readers will find me diving deep into the supernatural subgenre, the most recent title perhaps having been this past April’s Evil Dead Rise. Still, I decided to see this film for myself. Rather than going for a regular Letterboxd entry, I wanted to expand on the cinematic elements that lured me in.
Talk to Me is written by Danny Philippou and Bill Hinzman and based on a concept by Daley Pearson. The film is directed by the Philippou brothers, also known on YouTube as RackaRacka.
In this review, I will discuss Talk to Me. As the title of this article suggests, there will be no spoilers present here. Minor details will be sprinkled here and there, but nothing too huge. Please read ahead with caution!
A24’s Talk to Me Synopsis
According to A24 Press, here is the synopsis for Talk to Me.
When a group of friends discover[s] how to conjure spirits with an embalmed hand, they become hooked on the new thrill, unleashing terrifying supernatural forces, in the eye-popping, nightmarish debut from filmmakers Danny & Michael Philippou.
A24 Press
Discussion
Talk to Me is twisted in a way that leaves me even more paranoid about spiritual entities than I already am. While many other supernatural films — in this case, those centered on young persons — already exist, what makes the Philippou brothers’ film work specifically is the bizarre nature that allows for an intriguing viewing experience. Without fail, Bethany Ryan’s production designs of the different rooms posit viewers in tenebrous atmospheres full of unease. There isn’t anything colorful about it; the set pieces are as dark as dark can be, lending to the tone of the plot. Cinematographer Aaron McLisky perfectly captures the characters’ perspectives and their various interactions with the dead. The banging of heads and the teeters of bodies are just the tip of the iceberg of character movements. To add to that, makeup and hair designer Rebecca Buratto and her team of makeup and prosthetics artists accomplish the bloody cruel appearances of the teens being possessed and the spirits that take up surrounding space.
Obsession
The partying teens and their indulgence in alcohol and marijuana paired with the inclusion of the ceramic hand make for a thrilling Gothic narrative revolving around obsession. On one hand, the film involves a scene where the teens take turns communicating with the spirits without a single thought of repercussion. That is until one person takes up an interest in the activity. By this point, there are one or two scenes that take possession to another level, one that I find to be haunting and gruesome. They made me want to whip out the nearest Bible and recite lines of Scripture aloud.
On the other hand, however, Talk to Me centers on its protagonist, 17-year-old Mia (Sophie Wilde) who lost a mother to suicide two years prior. She eventually encounters her mother during an activity with the ceramic hand. This is where Mia makes her first mistake. Well, actually… it may be too late for everyone. Her obsession is to know more about the details surrounding her mother’s suicide. In that search for answers, she longs to find meaning in loss. There is so much that the film is not telling us, but to do just that might tamper with that layer of mystery that is Mia’s personal life.
I Let You In
What also makes the Philippous’ film succeed is its mixture of diverse cast members. Wilde and her character’s parents, Rhea and Max, — portrayed by Alexandria Steffensen and Marcus Johnson — are Black. The film also features an indigenous teen character named Joss (Chris Alosio) and his non-binary/ transmasculine friend, Hayley (Zoe Terakes). Joss comes off as the life of the party, while Hayley does not seem to take too kindly to Mia. The film’s one and only flaw that comes to my mind is that it does not spend enough time fleshing out these supporting characters.
Rhetorically speaking, Talk to Me focuses primarily on Mia and not much anyone else. By the time Mia’s father Max, her friend Jade (Alexandra Jensen), or Jade’s mother Sue (Miranda Otto) get their time to shine under the spotlight, the film is already close to wrapping up. Juxtaposed with Rhea, Sue can be harsh and stern, but aren’t all mothers? Many moviegoers may be familiar with Otto as Éowyn in the Lord of the Rings film franchise, and frankly, she makes the role of Sue work. She is something of a second mother to Mia, and dare I say she is a better parent than Max. The character does have her moments, yet they are not accentuated as much as I would have liked. Out of everyone, I was utterly shocked by Riley’s (Joe Bird) scenes. Bird truly acts the Hell out of his character, notably when he is possessed.
Performances and Character Developments
Wilde’s portrayal of Mia is quite chilling. Following the character throughout the film maintains that feeling of nervousness that one should have when watching horror narratives. That is not to say that Mia is naive. What truly makes her imperfect is the fact that she does not know everything. To watch her unsuspecting of where the scenes take her is an understatement — I dread what happens next. Her time on-screen with Jade and Riley oftentimes feels uncertain, beginning with a specific animal on the road. Mia’s ending is tough, especially considering her list of choices is scarce.
With that said, watching Wilde’s Mia be possessed is frightening. The only element missing from the teens playing with the ceramic hand is Jade partaking in the activities. She is the wiser of the two girls. Not only that but it could be disputed that they are foils of each other. Throughout the film, Mia is constantly taking responsibility for the actions that she does not have full control over. However, we also see that Jade is not irresponsible. Sure, she is guilty of not picking her brother up from the skatepark. Although, there is not much harm in that. Jensen’s Jade just comes off as a better version of Hereditary‘s Peter Graham, if you catch my drift.
Final Thoughts on Talk to Me
The Philippous’ Talk to Me is a surprising addition to the list of horror films that 2023 has to offer. It is unfortunate that there is insufficient word-of-mouth about this title. The Gothicism present in the production designs, the makeup and prosthetics, and the screenplay itself are all solid works, proving that this is not a film to pass up this summer. To be honest, I can see this as a one-and-done kind of movie, but there is still nothing that is said of the ceramic hand.
Talk to Me is now playing in theaters!
Have you seen Talk to Me? If so, then what are your thoughts on it so far? Let us know! For more A24 and horror-related news and reviews, do not forget to follow The Cinema Spot on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
