Snapshot Review: Talk to Me is a brilliant take on a classic possession movie for the modern age. It's a cautionary tale masquerading as a haunting minimalist horror film who's strength lies in its emotionally gifted ensemble. 

This directorial debut of twin brothers Danny and Michael Philippou demonstrates both their love of horror and a faith in relying on impactful, yet gnarly, practical effects, stellar sound design, a wicked use of dark humor in a twisted well-written narrative to carry the story. If you like your movies to drop you directly into the mix, then Talk To Me's opening is for you.

Built for the meme and chronically online generation, Talk to Me leans into genre conventions and an incisive script about grief, depression, youthful disregard of danger. Just know that opening is all foreshadowing. Thankfully it's the kind where the pay-off is not only worth it but never proves more interesting than the movie you ultimately get. The reactions are constantly age-appropriate. So prepare for teenage angst and stupidity to abound. The visuals are murky, occasionally out of focus, and constantly building a sense of unease and foreboding. But there's a profoundness in its simplicity. So lean into the sense of inevitable and the horrific trainwreck that is Mia's (Sophie Wilde) journey into the supernatural. 

Listen as Ro and Brandon dig (spoiler-free) into Talk to Me

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Director: Danny Philippou, Michael Philippou

Writers: Bill Hinzman, Danny Philippou|

Runtime: 1 hour 35 minutes

Starring: Sophie Wilde, Joe Bird, Alexandra Jensen, Otis Dhanji, Miranda Otto

Synopsis: 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.

Originally part of MTR's Sundance 2023 coverage - January 23, 2023

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Talk to Me opens in theaters July 28, 2023

 

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