As Philip Larkin once said:
“They fuck you up, your mum and dad…………
Sit down, let someone tie you to a chair, they light the candle, you say “Talk to Me” and the portal is opened, now you say “I let you in” and the connection is complete………but don’t forget let go of the hand and blow out the candle by 90 seconds…….or else.
The best horror film of 2023 so far. After the world premiere at Sundance Film Festival in January 2023, a bidding war began and A24 acquired the U.S. distribution rights.
A24 are the tastemakers, facts. They know a good fit when they see it.
Here be shades of Hereditary, the last horror film that truly scared me (although Barbarian did a decent job as well).
This is the point of horror films, right?
When a group of friends discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand, they become hooked on the new thrill, until one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces.
Zoe Terakes in Talk to Me
Twin brothers, Danny and Michael Philippou bring you a terrifying film that treads the line between convincing and the supernatural with deft and dexterity. They both direct and Danny writes alongside Bill Hinzman and Daley Pearson.
The twins started their career with the very successful youtube channel RackaRacka. They are already huge stars and the sky is seemingly the limit for these two Adeladians or Adelads or Adelarrikins (not sure if these are things but they sound good. Don’t @ me, people from Adelaide). They also crewed on the great 2014 Australian horror film, The Babadook. They seemingly love the craft and it shows.
Mark my words, this film will be in the mouths, pens and keyboards of critics as soon as it is released.
It will be in the top 3 horror films of 2023, if not number 1.
Joe Bird in Talk to Me-Pleased to meet you……..
I recently had a conversation with a friend who said he didn’t like horror films.
I hear this a lot.
People do like being scared though…..errrr rollercoasters anyone?????
I love the psychology of a well-put-together horror film, the deep diving into the unseen parts of the universal consciousness is always fascinating but not always cosy and definitely not for the faint of heart.
This is why I will always check in with the great horror films. Last year, we had the excellent X and Pearl, Barbarian, Bodies Bodies Bodies, Speak No Evil, Prey, Nope and Sissy, this year we have had M3gan, Evil Dead Rise and now to top it off we have Talk to Me.
Genre-ism is for the marketers who try and categorise so you know which rave to go to.
No matter which flavour it comes in, a well-told story is a well-told story.
There be no flavourism here.
Great films challenge you, to laugh, cry, take you on an adventure, make you metaphorically shit yourself, and in some way engage one or several of your emotions.
This is the point of art. To make you feel……something.
Talk to Me taps into your subconscious, grabs it, shakes it, and reminds you that you’re alive and It’s only a movie.
The fear of the unknown, the other side, the dead, here there be ghosts and they’re not all friendly.
The cast are uniformly all in, they deliver with so much conviction with the lioness’ share of convincingly emoting coming from the lead, Sophie Wilde. She plays Mia who is suffering from grief and the trauma of her Mother’s suicide and is brilliantly supported by Joe Bird, Alexandra Jensen, Otis Dhanji, Zoe Terakes, Chris Alosio, Alexandria Steffensen, Marcus Johnson and Ari McCarthy along with Miranda Otto bringing the movie’s matriarch to life with gusto, motherly concern and, On God, humour.
These director brothers are for sure headed for big heights, at least the offers will be forthcoming, I just hope they carry on making interesting fare and avoid the big, potentially problematic, payday directing the next Marvel film or studio tentpole fare, not that I’m not wanting them getting paid but I would really like to see something innovative that capitalises on the promise of their debut horror film that is poised to be a smash hit.
The youtubers make a film that sits well and comfortably next to other great horror films.
Thanks to http://www.letterboxd.com for the preview invite.
Seeing it at the VMax on George St, Sydney was such a treat. Many thanks.
Do yourself a favour, go see it at the cinema with a crowd. It’s well worth it.
And please, whatever you do…………remember to let go of the hand.
The hand in Talk to Me
95 minutes
Australian release date July 27th 2023
U.S. Release date July 28th 2023
the movie musings 