In A24's newest horror movie, we get the expected mix of horror, dread, and emotion that you expect with the brand.

Synopsis

Talk to Me is about a young group of friends who get wrapped into the latest social media trend: demonic possession! An acquaintance came into possession of a creepy ceramic hand, and if they shake hands with it and say the magic words, they can see the dead, and even experience being possessed for a minute and a half. As you would expect, it’s a great time. That is until the Mia, played by Sophia Wilde, gets in contact with her dead mom, and can’t seem to shake of the visions of the dead, even when not using the hand.

In the end we learn two things:

Demons lie

Australians need more parental supervision

Review of Talk To Me

This is a really great movie. It is a rehashing of familiar demon possession tropes, but it has it’s own unique vibe. 

What hits hardest is the intense scenes of violence. I was squirming in my seat in a lot of scenes, and the movie holds on to those moments for a little longer than most. It’s like a more sadistic Evil Dead movie.

There is a juxtaposition of empathy and apathy throughout the movie that is really interesting. We have fleshed out characters that love and care for each other, however the teen group dynamic around these Seances are full of apathy in search of novelty. It’s the dynamic you see in internet videos that show people popping out cameras instead of helping someone in distress.

I would have liked a little more fleshing out of the father daughter relationship between Mia and her dad. This would have made their scenes more impactful and tragic. There was a lot unsaid, which isn’t a bad thing, but I think there should have been at least another scene or two showing their dynamic to explain why Mia wants to avoid him.

There are strong undertones of drug culture. The destructive yet addicting effects of the hand have parallels to casual hard drug use.

The ending is the perfect conclusion for the tone of the movie. It sticks with you as being dreadful, but still gives a strong resolution.

Score

9/10