A24 is famous for making unique horror movies that are different from the typical big-studio ones. While some of their films don't hit the mark completely, they usually bring something interesting to the table. Surprisingly, "Talk to Me" isn't just an artistic, slow-building scary movie; it appeals to a broader audience beyond the usual A24 fans.

The film tackles the horrors of irrational teenage behavior, the dangers of peer pressure, and the feeling of being isolated quite skillfully. It also deals with grief in a realistic way, as the main young characters each face their own challenges. While not every actor in the cast is outstanding, the main ones do a pretty good job. These characters are more developed compared to those in recent horror films, even though they make questionable decisions. The film's main focus is on the dangers of peer pressure.

Now, the big question for a horror movie is whether it's genuinely scary. "Talk to Me" doesn't rely heavily on those sudden jump scares, and when they do happen, they're well-done and not just thrown in lazily. Instead, the film's ability to give you the creeps and stick with you comes from a mix of a good build-up and striking visuals. Despite having a small budget, the movie excels on a technical level, especially when it comes to creative camera work, especially when the demon takes control of the characters.

The writing makes the characters relatable, and the visuals make the scary parts even scarier. It might not be the "scariest film since Hereditary," but it's got some seriously spooky moments. The ending might not work for everyone, but personally, I liked how the film wrapped things up

8.5/10
What a
Sensational way
for a new horror trilogy
to kickoff.
With
Talk to me:
Talk 2 me:
Talk to me untitled prequel

Talk to me
is an absolute treat to
Horror fans this is one
of the best Horror movies
of 2023, much much better
than Evil Dead 2023
and definitely a more
entertaining and solid
Horror than the
Insidious franchise
especially
Insidious the red door
2023 where literally the
franchise just goes to
shit at this point.
Talk to me gets it
right on every level
and knows exactly the
story it wants to tell.
Speaking of what a unique,
fresh and interesting story
usually in so many
Teen Horror movies
It's when shit goes sideways
and the spirits start popping
that the good stuff starts
but uniquely these
Numbnuts know exactly
what they are doing
and they are not shy
about it.
(What could go wrong).
The VFX are amazing
and the tension and
scares are awesome,
and the twists and surprises
are wonderful.
what's not to
Love about this kick ass
Horror, I had high expectations
for this gem and it certainly
did not disappoint.
I am absolutely thrilled
I will own this on
Blu Ray before
31st OCTOBER 2023
so I'll be able to do
a rewatch as part of
My 31 days of Horror.

I am even more happy
that this movie is part
of a planned trilogy
with the 3rd installment
being a prequel.

Verdict:
Highly recommended
if you love great Horror
movies then you are
certainly going to love this.

#supportthefranchise

I always love seeing Australian cinema out there. And movies about demons...spirits etc. They're something I'm especially keen on.

Talk to Me is about Mia, a girl grieving her mother's sudden death two years prior. She is introduced to this unbelievable game that her classmates play where they set a ceramic hand on the table, grasp it and say "talk to me", leading something out there to come to the other side.

This movie doesn't shy away from gore, and it's especially impactful as the characters are teenagers. The tension builds in each scene, almost explosively delivered in horrifying outcomes (especially given the sound mixing and how freaking loud it is). There's not really noticeable music in this film, just the regular bush doof pumping beats but nothing I really enjoyed and it still keeps its jump scares kind of obvious with the sound cues.

The story unravels with really great pacing but I found Mia's character development to be a little weak. I can justify it by seeing her as just a teenager out there, lost and alone. She's an outcast because her family changed, no one can relate to her and she's sad and a downer. She's still grieving her mother and the movie's core concept puts her back at the start of her grief journey. She's drawn in by having a connection to someone, by feeling like she's part of a group...which leads her to make poor choices. I did feel like [spoiler]we needed more growth to come through - she has a found family who love her and care for her but she still almost falls to the words of her spirit mum, she's not able to see what's really surrounding her...and that didn't make that much sense to me. It's obvious she cherishes Riley and Jade, and feels loved by them.[/spoiler] so I needed more convincing to believe that the script choices were ones she would make.

I did wonder if her wearing yellow in every scene was just style choices or a symbol of her place in her grief journey and joy...but I'm not sure.

I did really enjoy the ending sequences of the film and how it tied back to its lore. It's a solid film and worth the watch.

When a group of kids get together under the thumb of the rather odious "Hayley" (Zoe Terakes) they are presented with a ceramic hand - that apparently encases a real one - that acts as a portal to a dimension in which live the dead. They have discovered that no harm can be done if they stick to a time limit, exceed that - and well they are in virgin and potentially perilous territory. Following on from her best friend "Jade" (Alexandra Jensen) who has a go, it falls to "Mia" (Sophie Wilde) and after the most bizarre of personally traumatic connections, she is soon addicted to the experience and is also soon providing a conduit that is causing havoc within their group - not least for poor young "Riley" (Joe Bird) who ends up needing danger money - and a soft play area! Wilde does quite well here and though the rest of the acting isn't really up to much, the story has an originality to it that genuinely creates a new avenue for a genre that has been really suffering from same old, same old storytelling of late. Bird is by far the star here - even if he is incapacitated for much of it, and the aforementioned Terakes creates a character I'd cheerfully throttle. There's too much dialogue and it's very very score-heavy which did annoy after a while, but it's at times quite scary and definitely worth a watch around Halloween on the telly.

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ www.firstshowing.net/2023/review-australias-talk-to-me-is-the-best-horror-film-of-2023-so-far/

"Talk to Me lives up to the tremendous hype from festivals and initial reactions around the world. Without a doubt, one of the scariest horror films in recent years!

Impressive practical effects, superb makeup, hypnotizing performances – Sophie Wilde clearly stands out the most – and impeccable execution of truly shocking, gory, unpredictable moments of violence. It doesn't have the most imaginative screenplay within the "spirit-possessed characters" subgenre and leaves some meaningful themes unexplored, but it's definitely one of this year's must-see horror flicks.

Danny and Michael Philippou: remember their names!"

Rating: A-