Synopsis and Review: Talk to Me (2023), When A Horror Game Goes Badly
Synopsis and Review-”Talk to Me” is a supernatural horror movie from 2022, directed by Danny and Michael Philippou. The screenplay, written by Danny Philippou and Bill Hinzman, is based on an idea by Daley Pearson. The film features a cast including Sophie Wilde, Alexandra Jensen, Joe Bird, Miranda Otto, Zoe Terakes, Chris Alosio, Marcus Johnson, and Alexandria Steffensen. It had its premiere at the Adelaide Film Festival on October 30, 2022, and was later released in Australia on July 27, 2023, through Maslow Entertainment.
Synopsis:
Mia, a teenager, deeply misses her mom, Rhea, who passed away from a pill overdose a couple of years ago. Currently, she’s not on good terms with her dad, Max, and lives with her schoolmate and best friend, Jade, along with Jade’s fifteen-year-old brother, Riley, and their mom, Sue. One night, Mia, Jade, and Riley attend a party hosted by friends Hayley and Joss to meet Jade’s boyfriend, Daniel, who was once Mia’s crush.
Read also: Movie Recommendation: Top 10 Stephen King movies to watch, the last one is the most tragic one!
During the party, they discover an unusual attraction — a severed and embalmed hand from a clairvoyant that can communicate with spirits. To make contact, a lit candle guides the spirit, the person ties themselves to a chair, holds the hand, says “talk to me,” and then “I let you in.” The crucial part is ending the connection before ninety seconds pass. Excited, Mia volunteers for the experiment, initially having a positive experience. Later, at Sue’s home, tragedy strikes when the ninety-second limit is exceeded, leading to dire consequences for Riley.
Haunted by her mother’s spirit or possibly lured by an evil entity, Mia grapples with the aftermath of the experiment.
Review:
Talk to Me is a fantastic horror classic. It feels new, exciting, and captivating, with a brilliant core concept. Danny and Michael Philippou have created something truly special, and it deserves attention. Known for their YouTube channel “RackaRacka,” they managed to produce an impressive low-budget horror film with just $4.5 million Australian dollars, giving it the quality of a much higher-budget production.
Read also: Synopsis and Review: Nowhere (2023), Pregnant Woman in the Middle of the Sea
The story setup is excellent, offering a fresh take on a somewhat overused horror theme and bringing it into the 21st century with flair. The cinematography and direction are outstanding, featuring expertly crafted scenes and a dark, foreboding story that, despite being another supernatural tale, brings originality. The hand scenes are genuinely frightening and tense, with an unpredictable nature. The rest of the story is surprisingly unconventional, effectively capturing the essence of the modern Australian generation.
The film boasts a strong cast of characters, delivering great performances with solid, non-cliché writing. The acting is exceptional, conveying every emotion the characters experience and reacting authentically to the unfolding events. It accurately portrays Australian Gen Z individuals, benefiting from the filmmakers being part of that generation.
Stylistically, the film excels, with sharp direction, creative touches, and excellent use of sound contributing to an overall atmosphere of constant suspense and unease. The sound design is remarkable, making the audience flinch in the cinema. The soundtrack adds to the cool vibe. The tone transcends shallow horror, grounding itself in Australian society, feeling somewhat believable in certain aspects. The tension is consistently high, with clever and impactful scary scenes, though it relies more on unnerving body horror and disturbing imagery than traditional scares.
Read also: Synopsis and Review: Ice Cold: Murder, Coffee and Jessica Wongso (2023), Is She Really The Suspect?
While not particularly scary, the film is unnerving and tense, holding attention throughout its slightly longer-than-usual runtime. It induces genuine dread, a rare experience in recent horror movies. The only drawback is a desire for a more revealing story rather than excessive secrecy. Talk to Me stands out as a refreshing and engaging horror film, a must-see for any horror enthusiast.
