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I've spoken in the past about being a big fan of Australian horror movies. Some of my all time favourites have come from this country. So it's a little disappointing that the last two Australian horror movies I've watched ('Run Rabbit Run' and 'Talk to Me') have been a bit of a let down. The latter was nowhere near as big of a let down as the former to be fair. There were parts of this film I liked, but overall it didn't quite hit the right spots.

I'm finding possession films less and less scary with every year that goes by. I find that as soon as you see the ghosts/demons it's just too hard to believe (even though the make-up work in 'Talk to Me' was very well done). The only time it really works for me any more is in films like 'Paranormal Activity' where you rarely actually see anything. Seeing less will always be more in this circumstance.

So I didn't find the film overly scary, and then all I really have to fall back on is the characters. Sadly we've reached a point where the only way to write realistic teenage characters any more is to make them extremely unpleasant. If they were all overly nice it wouldn't feel like they were properly written, yet if they are particularly unpleasant then it isn't much fun to watch them. It's a real predicament that the horror genre has and I don't know the way around it.

I will say that the ghosts/demons were done in such a way that if that is the kind of thing that scares you I could see this movie being very effective and creepy. Otherwise though, you might be fresh out of luck with this one. 6/10.

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.

A creative new take on an ouija board with so much more to say !

I loved the concept of the hand it was so new and original , yet the movie still holds that idea of what can happen when u don't close "the door" .

I would highly recommend this movie to friends to see , it's majorly creepy but still entertaining and a gripping story . Everyone gives a pretty good performance but Sophie Wilde is really impressive in her role , it's role that would've required for you to have a lot of confidence and talent all of which she portrays on screen with such bold brilliance.

I believe she will be cast in a lot of movies in the future.

I also want to give credit to the directors.

Danny Philippou, Michael Philippou .

This was brilliant please make more movies !

A group of youngsters discover that by taking part in a small ritual involving an embalmed, ceramic hand, that they're able to contact spirits from the other side.

One of the better horror films I've seen for some time, when I compare to the other horrors I've seen in 2023, this rates as the best so far.

Talk to me has a degree of originality, it's loaded with jump scares, and has some genuinely memorable moments. The writing was rather good, everything pieced together nicely, including that pretty shocking opening sequence.

Quite graphic at times, it wasn't afraid to show a bit of gore, eyeball, that's all I'm saying, I had to look away. I loved that deliciously dark closing scene, it was such a strong, cohesive end to the film, it really worked.

There were a couple of clichés, and there were a couple of moments where you're left scratching your head, puzzling whether people would actually do the things that happened here, but those are minor faults, the only major gripe I had, was the rebirth of The Crazy Frog music (I thought our ears had been spared that years ago.)

They trailered Cobweb and Nun 2, will either of them surpass this one? Will have to wait and see.

A big thumbs up.

8/10.

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.