TALK TO ME (not to be confused with the Don Cheadle 2007 release of the same name) was part of Sundance’s much beloved Midnight section and pound for pound, it was one of my favorite offerings in that particular category this year. This high-energy Aussie import should give the horror crowd just what they’re looking for in the form of a supernatural terror ride that sort of feels like IT FOLLOWS meets “The Monkey Paw” for the TikTok generation. While this movie does feature a few standard tropes and while it does tread some familiar ground in terms of the overall structure, Danny and Michael Philippou (sibling directors who are most known for their beloved RackaRacka YouTube content), bring the creep factor, scares, and gross-out moments in spades in a briskly-paced horror show that has franchise written all over it.
At the heart of TALK TO ME is Mia (Sophia Wild), a lively young woman who, when she isn’t hanging out with her best friend, is always in search of that next big thrill. In this film, that “thrill” comes in the form of conjuring spirits and serving as a conduit. Of course, when Mia takes things a little too far, she and a group of friends get more than they bargained for.
In addition to shades of the aforementioned IT FOLLOWS, there are aspects of TALK TO ME that might also remind some viewers of the likes of EVIL DEAD, THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, FINAL DESTINATION, FLATLINERS, HEREDITARY, and even GHOST. That said, this isn’t to say that TALK TO ME doesn’t have its own identity. It certainly does and more often than not, it delivers the goods.
Additionally, TALK TO ME has the benefit of a charismatic lead in Sophia Wild. Her Mia is surprisingly complex for a horror heroine and I found myself concerned for her safety, even when she’s committing completely selfish acts. This is a woman with some serious issues that stem from a personal tragedy and those issues certainly come into play in a big way. Props to Wild for delivering quite an engaging performance. Likewise, props to Alexandra Jensen for her grounded work as Mia’s best friend and a convincing Joe Bird as a young boy who finds himself put through the proverbial ringer.
Whereas the slasher craze of the 80s would often find unsuspecting teens and twenty-somethings fornicating and getting high before being picked off one-by-one by mysterious killers, the young individuals front and center in TALK TO ME get their kicks by serving as human hosts for spirits through the aid of an embalmed hand with supernatural properties. As such, a great deal of TALK TO ME requires that the audience gets on board with this seemingly ridiculous premise. I mean, during my youth, if I were at a party and I saw my friend getting possessed, I knew it was time to get my ass out of there as quickly as possible. Not these characters, though. They get off on it like it’s the ultimate new drug. On the other hand, we do live in a culture where an individual might eat a Tide Pod after something as simple as a dare so perhaps the key premise in TALK TO ME isn’t that ridiculous after all. Whatever your opinion on the matter, young people getting their comeuppance for seemingly dumb or misguided decisions is part of a long-standing (and proud) horror tradition.
While there is more dramatic weight here than expected and while there are even serious themes to be found (addiction, grief, guilt, the perils and pitfalls that come with social media, etc.), TALK TO ME is more interested in giving the audience a scary good time and if you’re a fan of high-energy horror, you’re likely to walk away from this one satisfied. Even more so if you’re into gross-out gags that involve toes and or a bulldog. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Watch for more 2023 Sundance Film Festival coverage soon!
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