Talk to Me

Danny and Michael Philippou have truly made something special here and hope it gets the attention it deserves. Known by their YouTube channel "RackaRacka" They were able to pull off a great low budget horror film on the budget of $4.5 million Australian dollars that feels at least 20 million.

The cinematography and direction were all incredible with some expertly crafted scenes and a very dark and foreboding story that does have some originality to it despite being another supernatural, hell-demon, "other side" story. The scenes with the hand were legitimately scary and tense with a very unpredictable nature to it, the rest of the story was surprisingly unpredictable and unconventional, that also captures the modern Australian generation very well.

The acting in this movie was off the charts and really delivered every emotion these characters were feeling at any given time and their reaction to exactly what was happening, internally and externally. The movie does depict Australian Gen Zérs pretty well, me being one of them. They did use it to their advantage in this movie, with RackaRacka being Gen Z as well, they were able to nail their modern Australian characters to perfection.

The movie really did have an impactful effect on me, with me starting to feel a little ill by the end of the movie and me processing what all had just happened that I won't spoil in this review. Overall, the tone didn't just feel like shallow horror, but a legitimate one that actually has a foothold in Australian society that did feel somewhat believable in certain areas. The tension was soaring and ever present, the music was great too, there weren't many jump scares in this but the scary scenes themselves were clever and hard hitting.

The movie didn't just fly by either, it did feel like it did run a bit longer than just 90 minutes and I did appreciate how it held my attention the way it did. I did feel genuine dread from it, that I haven't felt from a horror movie like this in a VERY long time. If not ever. The only problem I had with it is that I wished the story was a bit more revelatory and not so secretive in a lot of areas.

Go see it if you're a fan of Horror and Modern Australian Cinema. I hope this brings nothing but success for The Philippou Brothers and the film has already gotten recognition by several popular horror directors including Jordan Peele.

I feel like I am the only person that thought this movie was very average and lackluster. Being an A24 film, it's stylish, with great cinematography and overall good acting. But I thought most of the characters were unlikable and the story felt hollow. It felt like it was taking bits and pieces from other horror movies that it thought would work to formulate another good horror movie. The practical effects are excellent and I always appreciate the use of less CGI which helps ground any film in more realism. The movie also tries to have a deeper message and metaphors, but these also fall apart with the story telling. By the end it felt forgettable. I wanted to like it but sadly it's a dud for me.

Talk to Me is a stone cold classic of the horror genre. It feels fresh, thrilling, absorbing, and has a brilliant concept at its core.

The story follows a group of friends who play around with the occult, contacting the spirit world through a mysterious ceramic hand. As you might expect, things go off the rails quickly and insidious activity ensues.

The way the story is set up is superb, giving a fresh spin on a somewhat tired horror trope and bringing it into the 21st century with style.

It contains a strong collection of characters with great performances behind them all and solid writing that doesn't feel cliche or tired.

Stylistically I think the film is superb, with the direction on point. There are some neat creative flourishes and a brilliant use of sound, both of which really contribute to the overall atmosphere, which is one of constant suspense and unease.

I don't think the film is particularly scary, relying more on body horror and disturbing imagery, but it is very unnerving and tense nonetheless.

The only reason I'm not scoring this higher is that I think some of the concepts could have been taken a little further, and some of the horror dialled up a notch, but these are minor criticisms really.

Talk to Me is one of the most refreshing and engaging horror films I've seen in a while, and will be sure to be a treat for any horror fans out there.

Talk to Me is one of those horror films that proves you don't always need a groundbreaking concept to be effective, but you still wish it tried a bit harder to stand out. The film leans heavily on familiar tropes-a group of teenagers dabbling with the supernatural, unaware of the dire consequences that await them. It's a premise we've seen countless times, yet there's something about Talk to Me that manages to grip you, even if it doesn't completely surprise you.

What really elevates this film is the performances. The cast brings a raw, authentic energy that grounds the supernatural elements in something that feels disturbingly real. The atmosphere is another highlight. The film creates a sense of dread that builds slowly but surely, aided by its moody cinematography and unsettling sound design.

However, as much as I appreciated the film's strengths, it's not without its flaws. The pacing is somewhat uneven, with the story dragging in parts, particularly in the middle. There are stretches where the tension dissipates, leaving you waiting for the next big scare or plot development. The characters, while well-acted, can also be irritating at times, making decisions that feel more like horror movie tropes than genuine character choices.

Additionally, the narrative itself doesn't break much new ground. The themes of grief, guilt, and the dangers of dabbling in the unknown are well-worn territory in the horror genre, and while Talk to Me handles them competently, it doesn't offer many surprises. If you've seen your fair share of horror films, you might find yourself predicting the story's twists and turns well before they happen.

In the end, Talk to Me is a solid entry in the horror genre, elevated by performances and a well-crafted atmosphere. However, its familiar narrative and occasional pacing issues hold it back from being truly exceptional. It's an enjoyable watch, especially if you're in the mood for something creepy, but it's unlikely to leave a lasting impression.

This stands out from your jump scare or just plain poor plot horror movies. I watch as much horror as I can and this was an original idea and very well written. After the movie, you will piece together more and more of how it all ties together.

Scary, yet enough twists to keep you on the edge of your seat until the end. The acting was very good and really ties in with the themes in the film.

This is more of the stick with you, creepy, dread, existential type horror, but also had many scary scenes.

Also love to see a movie like this create a star actor and get picked up for distribution at Sundance. We need many more horror films like this and less of these cookie cutter, one page plot horror movies.