Talk to Me Review: Compelling Yet Flawed!

Talk to Me, directed by debutants Danny and Michael Philippou, stars Sophie Wilde in the primary role, with Alexandra Jensen, Joe Bird, Otis Dhanji, Zoe Terakes, Miranda Otto, and others in supporting roles. The film follows a group of teenagers who come across a ghostly embalmed hand, granting them the ability to communicate with spirits. As the story unfolds, the teenagers tussle with unforeseen consequences that arise just because of their pure stupidity.

Firstly, while A24’s 2018 horror hit, Hereditary, gripped me more with its unsettling atmosphere, Talk to Me assumes a more deliberate and slow-burn approach. It prioritizes character relationships through extensive dialogue, allowing the supernatural storyline to unfold gradually. The Philippou Brothers, focusing more on the humane side of things, captured a distinct blend of eerie intrigue and nuanced interactions.

TALK TO ME (2023)
Dir. Danny Philippou, Michael Philippou
With. Sophie Wilde
Artwork by @macaulay_moran pic.twitter.com/Nmxk5vsjZT

— A24 Posters (@A24Posters) August 8, 2023

Furthermore, the lead star, Sophie Wilde’s standout performance as Mia is noteworthy. Her character arc, particularly the storyline involving her mother, added depth to the narrative. And it effectively characterized the emotional turbulence and lingering mental trauma stemming from the absence of closure surrounding her mother’s death.

Now, let’s examine the slightly less bright side. Talk to Me opts for a more pulled-back kind of horror, delivering only a few jolts that hit you when they occur. While those sudden scares do the job, in the grand scheme of things, the fear factor isn’t cranked up to the max. Considering what this film could have been, I felt that the directing duo could have added more chilling scenes to amplify that tension-filled vibe.

Also Read: “The Last Voyage of the Demeter” Review

Overall, Talk to Me is a compelling watch, showcasing skilled direction, emotional depth, excellent sound design, and a standout background score by Cornel Wilczek. Although it excels in many aspects, it falls short of perfection. While adeptly crafted and filled with poignant moments, the movie does have its flaws that prevent it from achieving flawless status.

‘Talk to Me’ Rating – 3/5

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