Talk To Me, which became a phenomenon in the cinema world after its world premiere at the Sundance Independent Film Festival, promises a unique horror/thriller, starting from the long opening sequence disguised as a single shot. Cole, who enters the bright entertainment venue from the dark streets, is hurriedly looking for his brother. When he breaks down the door of the room where he locked himself in, he finds Duckett delirious. The young boy fatally stabs first his brother and then himself in front of everyone, upon the accusation of his dead father, who is only visible to him.
After this terrifying introduction, we think we’ve taken a breather when we dive into the carefree world of a handful of teenagers, but scary moments are not far away. Mia, who tragically lost her mother a few years ago and took shelter in her close friend’s fatherless home rather than the house where she lives with her father, with whom she cannot communicate, seems to be a harbinger of the approaching moments of horror when the seriously injured kangaroo she encounters on the highway at night dies.
It all starts with a game of spirit summoning by young people gathered together for excitement, using a mummified, ceramic-covered severed hand. Some of the cronies who got caught up in the fun and dramatic addiction of the uncanny experience with the commands ‘Talk to Me’ and then ‘Take Me In’, will enter an irreversible path under the invasion of demanding spirits and chaos will ensue when they cross the line.
Based on an original idea by South Australian twin directors Danny and Michael Philippou, the film has brought a breath of fresh air to the horror/thriller cinema, which has been quite clogged lately, and has created a production that will satisfy its enthusiasts without hiding the inspiration it draws from well-known examples of the genre.
After the introduction that resembles the famous theme of ‘Jaws’ in the first scene, Cornel Wilczek’s hypnotic musical work envelops the film. The use of Edith Piaf’s classical chanson ‘La Foule’ melodies in the sequence where the uncanny experiences of young people turn into a collective ecstasy is really nice. So are the references to the finale of the shower scene of ‘Psycho’ and the theme of body possession in ‘The Exorcist’. There is also an effort to adapt the frightening 1990 film ‘Flatliners’ by Joel Schumacher to the tastes and behavior patterns of today’s Generation Z.
The script, co-written by Danny Philippou, and the photography by Aaron Mclisky, are meticulous and subtle. Sophie Wilde, whom we saw for the first time in the role of Mia, is promising. Horror images or scenes with lots of blood were not avoided, but the story was followed with curiosity, without resorting to shocking horror effects intended only to create shock. As a result of the worldwide attention the film has received, we are already anticipating a sequel that will perhaps provide answers to the unrevealed secrets. Especially those who are interested in the genre should not miss it.
Talk to Me (2023)
Directed by: Danny Philippou, Michael Philippou
Starring: Sophie Wilde, Alexandra Jensen, Joe Bird, Otis Dhanji, Miranda Otto, Zoe Terakes, Chris Alosio, Marcus Johnson, Alexandria Steffensen, Marcus Johnson, Ari McCarthy, Sunny Johnson
Screenplay by: Danny Philippou, Bill Hinzman
Production Design by: Bethany Ryan
Cinematography by: Aaron McLisky
Film Editing by: Geoff Lamb
Costume Design by: Anna Cahill
Set Decoration by: Jennifer Drake
Art Direction by: Gareth Wilkes
Music by: Cornel Wilczek
MPAA Rating: R for strong/bloody violent content, some sexual material and language throughout.
Distributed by: A24 Films
Release Date: October 30, 2022 (Adelaide), July 27, 2023 (Australia), July 28, 2023 (United States)
Visits: 40
