A24 has been killing the horror department recently! This is simply a rock solid horror film that does not get bogged down with the often metaphorical nature of A24. It will appeal to most fans of the genre. Can't wait to watch it again!
Rating: 4.5/5 - 90% - Highly Recommend
About time there's a decent horror movie. The majority of horror in the past years has been cheezy or garbage. Hope this becomes a franchise.
Really effective, well made horror debut. A great cast, some well done spooks and just an overall unsettling vibe AND ITS ONLY 90 MINUTES! Looking forward to see what else the Philippou boys deliver
Like a country road at 3am: you think you know where it's going but it twists and turns out to be more ominous than you could've ever believed.
This Aussie supernatural horror has the same starting point as every other drama teen turned scream queen thing (Countdown, Smile, Truth or Dare...) but heads off in a different direction right from the get-go with a refreshingly complex lead role, moments of genuine suspense and a story that's difficult to predict. A pleasant surprise.
3 Thoughts After Watching ‘Talk to Me’:
It peaked with that brutal scene, when the game took a violent turn (I straight-up gasped), which was fairly early on, and the rest of the film never really reached that level of shock again.
Was it just me, or was the audio pretty awful? So many conversations were unclear. I couldn’t understand how the mom died. She took too many pills, on accident, and then clawed at the door? How does that work?
I really liked the concept of the hand (albeit somewhat confusing). And I think it’s interesting to see it used as some sort of party game. But when characters are dumb enough to revel in something so awful, it’s difficult to care about their fate. I wasn’t fully invested in them.
Painfully slow and with a weird choice of casting… They all look strange which is incredibly distracting.
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 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. 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.
"Talk to Me" was a decent watch, but it didn't quite hit the top spot in the horror genre for me. It surprised me in a good way, though I went in with low expectations, but it ended up being better than I thought. Some scenes were downright chilling and hard to watch, which definitely added to the suspense. However, when it comes to horror flicks, it's not a standout winner for me. Still, I'd say it's worth checking out if you're a fan of the genre!
Very boring. It's a good movie for playing in the background. I rarely write comments, but this deserves that exception. The plot twist is okay-ish, however the plot repeats itself like 10 times and it's just boring.
This would be a nice short, but watching the same thing for 1h 30m was crazy.
i don’t get the hype
i don’t get the hype
So much hype around Talk to Me, I thought it must be great, it must break new ground or put such a fresh spin on ghost stories.
Nope, not really.
Just like the movies from Ari Aster, and Jordan Peele, there is nothing new here and I don't understand what all the fuss is about.
Have you not seen Insidious (2010) or Ringu (1998)? And those are just the examples that immediately come to mind.
Originality aside, the movie is well made: every part from the acting, to the lighting, to the special effects, it's all well done. Trouble is, If I made a carbon copy of The Shining (1980), but gave it a different name, and modified it just enough that casual movie watchers would not make the connection, that doesn't suddenly make it a masterpiece.
Much like Hereditary (2018), and Midsommar (2019) this is using horror as a vehicle for how people process grief. While I think Talk to Me does a better job with it, the trope is already getting old.
The movie is also touching upon addiction, and the failure to understand that actions have consequences. So, yeah, well written, many parts that I liked, but it simply never delivered any moments that I haven't seen thousands of times already.
If you've never watched any ghost or possession movies, you'll probably like this.
I was skeptical because I'm not a big horror fan but that was awesomely creepy, loved it.
Really boring movie. The story was really shallow, random and poor. I had hoped for at least some scary scenes but the movie never delivered on anything.
If you go into "Talk to Me" with concerns that it's just the next dull jump-scare horror movie, these worries should evaporate right from the effective opening sequence. Sure, the movie doesn't necessarily reinvent the wheel. But it delivers a few effective chilling moments and occasionally builds up a creepy atmosphere. The plot is also convincing on an emotional level. You just shouldn't expect overly logical actions from the characters. Of course, despite the appealing presentation, nobody really acts in a comprehensible way. But without these clichés, there would be no horror plot. And overall, "Talk to Me" is definitely one of the stronger ghost horror films of recent years.
First of all, when I first watched the official trailer of the movie I really liked it and I was so hyped about that movie. The plot of the movie was very interesting, mysterious and kinda innovative. The storyline was kinda well-written and most parts were well-explained. The characters were very interesting, well-developed and really likeable (especially, the group of friends). The casting was really good, even though most of them weren't well-known actors and their acting was descent. It wasn't a very scary movie, even though there were some jumpscares and creepy moments during the movie. Sadly, there weren't many death scenes on that movie and most of them weren't done onscreen. However, it was a very intense movie and full of chaotic scenes. The opening scene was definitely unpredictable, very fast paced and really promising. The ending scene was definitely unpredictable and kinda shocking. Moreover, the cinematography of the movie was really good and the editing was amazing. Overall, "Talk to Me" was a unique horror movie, intense, creepy and I would definitely recommend it to my friends. Last but not least, I'm definitely looking forward for the sequel and I really wish it's gonna be way more explicit than this movie.
Good movie to have some entertaining time. Light to medium horror and suspense, which is good, it serves its purpose very well. Scary at the right times and funny at the right times, but not goophy. I liked the characters, the concept of the hand, the explanation at the final. It has 90min, which is perfect, because it is long enough to be good but not so long to become boring. It is not a masterpiece, but it worth watching, that's why it has my 8.
This is what happens when you screw around with a petrified hand.
I never want to watch it again. Haunted me like Hereditary. One of the best horror-movies of the last 10 years.
The plot is driven by sheer dumbness. Nothing that happens is initially out of the dumb people's control, they are just initially dumb. It's annoying,
For a horror movie. This was pretty solid.
Nothing like good ol’ Australian movies. I went into this knowing it had a reputation and that that reputation was the movie was REALLY good and boy did it impress me. There were such tense moments where I had to sit and pause the movie, which I do not often do while watching horror. Acting was just spot on and so chilling at times. Movie definitely lived up to the hype for me.
Realy f…. Crazy want more
This was good. It was the first horror flick worth watching in awhile.
Even though it's my first watch it's genuinely one of my favourite horror movies ever, simply because I feel too many of them try too hard to just scare the audience first and then add the story but this is the opposite the story came first. For most of it, it was completely horrifying with some amazing hair & makeup work.
Shout out to Danny & Michael Philippou for pulling this off considering it's their first feature film.
At its core, this seems like a simple possession movie. But there is a rawness and bleakness to it that just makes it seem way more disturbing than most. And it is able to leverage this tried premise and spin into a parallel about grief and addiction that I think works well. It has some fairly disturbing moments. One negative is the ending feels a bit underdeveloped and could have been much sharper for how good the beginning of the movie is. The acting and camerawork are notably good.
I got halfway through the movie and turned it off. Not because it was bad but because it was too good. The visual horror was just too sickening for me.
Was not expecting it that good. Not that top notch acting but for sure good enough to support the foreseeable but solid story. Nice twist at the end. Enjoed it very much.
Filmed really well. I was impressed.
"Look who's talking", a reboot, only from the other side. ;)
not bad, people are delusional if they think this was better than Hereditary
The first half of this was really great. Cool setup, some creepy scenes, and a fun concept were let down by a slowing in the second half and a climax that was...fine, but not up to the level of the first half. For a broad horror flick, though, it was pretty good and you could do much worse.
It's good, but something is missing The ending is fine, something similar was coming.
8/10
Fun to watch with the kids but I was yawning by the end
Ahm this movie does not want to talk to me. Good acting and there were nice shock moments but those characters..... they were completely unlikable. I think I should stay away from movies that have a cast of annoying, loudmoth, diverse, phone addicted teenagers.
There are many controversial comments about that movie.
I like it. I like it very much. I haven't watched such thrilling movie recently. It kept me on pins and needles to the end. I would definitely recommend it.
"They followed us. Whoever we contacted, they followed us."
I can't believe the boys from Racka Racka have an official horror movie on their hands. Unreal! The sound design and practical effects used for possession stuff is pretty darn good.
Horror is not my genre but I decided to check out Talk to Me after hearing about it on a few podcasts. I think I know why I usually don't go for horror films. I thought it was because I didn't like scary things, but I really enjoyed Talk to Me. I think I liked certain scenes and acts better than the whole. Usually there's an awesome premise and the landing doesn't quite stick. I feel that the ending was probably the weakest part of the movie for me. I was all-in about halfway through once Riley used the hand. That was absolutely bonkers and incredible. Then the movie felt like it was just trying to tread water. It's very competently made. Everything ties out, but after the first half, it would have been very difficult to sustain that effort for the entire film. Despite that, I definitely recommend Talk to Me.
overhyped and only boring Teenie problems
I loved this. It’s crazy that this came from two youtubers who beat eachother up for their videos.
This one surprised me positively! Really Good Movie!
I went into this with high expectations based on the press popping up in my feeds. It didn't live up to the hype, but it was also enjoyable -- if predictable. The main character was well developed and much of the film was about her: her trauma and social struggles.
I thought it was better than most modern horror films but still follows a rather formulaic path. It is well shot and the cast for most part does well in their roles. I would be interested to see what they do with the follow up film.
The concept is interesting but there's an over-reliance on gross self harm images.
I think i never felt this way... this may just be one of my favorite movies.
And if you tell me this movie is sh*t, I think I can also agree with you.
It get's me so pleasantly uncomfortable. It just hits the spot for me. It probably won't hit yours.
Only problem for me would be the acting of the main character Mia, it's kinda meh.
And they say the name of the movie, A LOT! ++
A well acted and crushing portrayal of loneliness and a person reaching out for human connection. It can feel a bit like its dragging itself to the end, but otherwise it's a stellar slow-burn.
I thought this movie would be so good based off the comments . Nope I was wrong absolutely trash garbage stupid plot totally terrible
A round, focused and forceful film. How the paranormal component affects the emotional component of the protagonist and leads her to do what she does is magnificent.
I have nothing bad to point out about "Talk to Me".
Finally a horror movie that takes jumpscare lightly and scare with build-up and atmosphere, the MC is very... 10 IQ, and in the final moment you wish for the worst to her, but that adds character for sure, recommended for anyone that doesn't want jumpscares and want to have a good scary night
Really bad acting. Could be an original argument but it's not, it's just nothing.
A really solid horror movie. I would treat this like comfort food. It's using what you know and love about horror, but not doing anything crazy new and thats fine. The premise using a hand to channel the horror is a really fun visual. I would say the end gets a bit muddled, but still a lot of fun to watch to the very end.
Maybe it will grow on me, for now I found it to be overrated. To me the movie plays out a lot like the original Candyman.
An interesting twist on horror movies with teenagers practicing Ouija, it manages to be really creepy at times, although the third act ends up being much more conventional about overcoming the pain of loss by accessing the spirit world. But it manages to be as vibrant and tense as what should be expected from a horror film, supported above all by the difficult performance of Sophie Wilde. Although it seems like the beginning of a possible franchise that can be exhausting, the idea is good enough to prevail over predictable less inventive films.
I really thought that I will be better, but .. No .. very predesible the script I feel no surprise although it has good effects.
I've had enough with insufferable idiot teens who thinks summoning spirits and demons is all fun and games. I've had high expectations, this was very average and lackluster.
If only Sophie was a good actress...
This was a great movie. I was actually surprised by how good it turned out. It also had some really good creepy parts to it as well.
i liked it ,it was okay atleast it had a story to tell . and honestly just watch a movie for the fun of it not to act like a critique and a professional movie watcher cuz it doesn't pay
I was never glad like this, watching people get what they deserve but still some got off easy especially, the two walking around with the hand.
5/10.
shit has no character depth and just horror for the sake of it.
Nice and refreshing movie which was short and entertaining but nothing beyond that.I aprreciated it has nothing to do with cheap jumpscares and the story was predictable but solid though.If you are a horror fan you are going to like it probably. 7.0/10
horror movie and full of scenes
i do not want to
It wasn't a bad horror movie, but the ending was very disappointing.
I'm gonna quote Brenda from Scary Movie: "Lord! I'mma have a heart attack! Oh, this is some scury shit!"
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
Definitely worth a watch, kept my attention to the end.
very good - i think it benefits from the fact that it centers on a group of teenagers because lbr teenagers aren't all sorted out in their brains yet and pretty much the only ones who would think this was a fun adrenaline rush of a game. it's definitely following some standard horror stereotypes but it's not bad for doing so, it's enjoyable when a horror movie keeps the tropes that the genre's defined by but does right by them. the acting's solid too, from the whole cast.
also, god, so gross. and not even in the gory moments, very much in the "oh this is being documented this poor person" way. so glad i was a teenager when social media was just myspace bc i don't think i'd have made it to adulthood with all my horrific missteps recorded forever on the internet
Made for GenZ intellect! Extreme bullshit! A fetishists wet dream. MASSIVE SKIP! RATING: 4/10
This movie came so close to being great. It's good. Really good. Just a few edits and a different ending and it would've been there.
Horror isn't my genre, but I can still recognize when it's at the top of its game. This is the top of its game. A premise that feels simultaneously familiar and fresh. Fantastic production that sells the moments of slow dread just as well as the moments of explosive horror. Generally excellent performances from fresh faces (at least fresh to me). Just an impressive showing all around. I can't help but compare it to Hereditary, often cited as one of the best of modern "elevated" horror films. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if this film's creators pointed to Hereditary as a direct inspiration for at least one scene (Alex Wolff smashing his head into his desk). So, how does this film compare? Honestly, I enjoyed it far more. So often "elevated" horror just feels like a license for ill defined rules where scary things happen without rhyme or reason and inconclusive or unsatisfying endings are the norm. That may work for some people, but I generally prefer a more conventional structure. It's often why the opening act of horror films is the one I judge them on most, as that's when the film still resembles the real world and I can judge it against all films, rather than just against a genre where the bar is a bit lower (maybe a lot lower). This film's pre-horror portion is fantastic, quickly establishing interesting characters/relationships with strong dialogue. But more importantly, and unlike Hereditary, this film didn't lose me once the horror starts. It enters the story in a natural way and establishes rules so that the audience has some bearings on what to expect. They even pull off a tight rope ending that is just the right balance of bad ending/good ending.
I know this review sounds quite glowing, so a 7/10 might seem inconsistent, but that's largely because horror is just not my bag. Plus, I do think Mia's character started to suffer from some horror clichés in the back half with respect to frustratingly poor decision making (I know, I know, she's basically possessed, but still).
I am glad I let them in
The film has a unique concept and evokes a chilling vibe. The concept that a group of high schoolers spend their Friday nights summoning spirits to intentionally be possessed by them is a little farfetched but if you accept that then the film still can work. This is part of the tradition of dead mom horror movies. Found the main character very unsympathetic (risking her friends and family lives for her benefit). I felt like this was a missed opportunity that could have been a chilling and affective film with a better script and execution.
I'll start by saying that this is a great movie. Its paced out well and developed nicely. Story is solid, nothing to far fetched that you have to stretch to get involved. Saying that this movie has a certain feel to it. Not in a bad way either. It just has this under tone for the entire length that truly adds to the experience. I don't think this is too spoilery but I'ma blur it. The ending while nothing groundbreaking kinda sneaks up on you. In the way that it sets up the executes the end without giving you time to start thinking yeah I see where this is going.
Excellent movie 7/10
BORING ,slow-motion cliché horror movie. It made me long for the good old days of horror films. I actually fell asleep in the middle and fast-forwarded to the end. I definitely wouldn't recommend it."
The best horror movie of the year. Original idea perfectly executed and all with a small budget shows what can be done.
more than your typical horror movie. totally philosophical and the message is too deep. also a very well constructed makeout scene between a christian guy and a dog. a perfect movie.
that foot job scene turned me on fr.
Punchy, scrappy and so much fun, Talk to Me is an elevated-horror inspired flick dripping in Gen Z sensibilities and with a point to prove. While it doesn't have equal polish to it's peers in this ever growing genre, for a first outing by the Phillipou brothers it's an absolutely astonishing first swing at the bat. Deeper than Smile but not quite as refined as the upper echelon it's echoing, Talk To Me is instantly the best horror of 2023 and demands a viewing from genre fans. Just be sure to give it the viewing it deserves. Close the curtains, crank the sound system and strap in. It's one hell of a ride.
Edit: Just finished my second viewing and I enjoyed it just as much as my first go round. Lots more details jumped out at me this time, like the parallel between the kangaroo shot and the finale shot of Mia in the road. Duckett and the surrounding scenario was clearer, and more nuances to the metaphor of this being about drug abuse, the use of drugs as a crutch and the damage it does to those around you are also more prominent. I don't think it'll boost my score, but I still think this is a great first outing and one of my favourite horror movies of the last few years. Definitely one I'll keep around to watch again from time to time.
I enjoyed the movie Talk To Me. After watching the trailer a few days ago, I decided to watch it and I must say that I was hooked to the screen. I was so afraid something was going to happen to the young boy and the ending left me confused. It was definitely an interesting movie and I am glad I watched it.
I am sure many of you have watched the movie and can explain the ending to me. I would really appreciate it if you could share your thoughts and explain the ending to me.
Hell yeah, the hype is real! It was so fun until it became soul crushing. Great idea and realization. Felt modern and still classic. Could have been a little bit more scary for my taste. I wouldn't even have minded some more jump scares. Apart from that, I had a really good time and can't wait to see more of this universe!
As usual, a highly scored horror movie that must be from people that have never watched horror before.
A solid horror/thriller with a decent premise and nice twist at the end. I enjoyed this, just the right amount of gore/violence for those blood fiends but a great story to get you hooked too.
bring back these vibes in movies! many modern movies feel soulless/passionless but this one feels just right :ok_hand:
As obnoxious as those Philippou brothers are, they actually made one of the better horror films in a while.
No matter how curious you are don't f*ckin do what they do.
Pretty decent movie, definitely worthy watching on a first date. Highly compelling and clearly the effort has been made for making this movie great. grotesque, creepy and sometimes pretty frightening, I enjoyed it.
Very good atmosphere of dread and possession in this one. Great sound design. The hype is real imo. Very high 8.3 for the horror fan in me. Definitely has some issues w pacing in parts, but overall I was very impressed. Will be excited to see more of the brothers efforts moving forward.
This one surprised me, and I loved it.. I knew she was dead at the end, what I didn't expect was the hand to carry on to a new group and she finds herself on the other side of the game, so freaky! These directors know what they're doing and I hope they make more horror!
Bro, this was insane. Maybe it's because I've been watching shit horror movies lately, but I wasn't expecting this to be actually scary.
Honestly, this is a pretty good horror movie with some pretty unique ideas in it. I think some things could have been fleshed out better, but overall the story in the movie was pretty well told.
Today's teenagers manage to extract insights even from the otherworldly; a timely “filmed” video is also important. It’s a pity that the “ancestors” don’t get the trick, they are addressed here directly by their name. "Talk to me". After? Clear.
If you remove the subtexts, the scare is not bad. The idea is fresh compared to others, like Fllattliners /1990/ Schumacher once had
It's only hype, nothing more.
this is a real good movie
I will skip the stupid analysis. This is a MUST WATCH!
Very nice new horror idea. Don’t miss this
(Un)holy kangaroo! This was an absolute banger! :scream:
hwkwp Talk to MeTalk to MeTalk to MeTalk to Me
This was a good watch reminded of a Final Destination vibes..If you a fan of that y’all would love this one..Good.
This was a very well written piece. The acting was on point. The plot very strong
not a game changer movie at all but definitely worth watching. some great twits that kept you staring at the screen alongside an interesting plot.
Review by BoyanBlockedParent2023-08-15T06:17:58Z
The film Talk to Me is a well-made and suspenseful horror film with a strong emotional core. Sophie Wilde gives a star-making performance as Mia, and the supporting cast is also excellent. The film is sure to please fans of the horror genre.
Mia is a teenage girl who is still reeling from the death of her mother two years ago. She is growing estranged from her father and has become close to her mother's friend, Sue, and her family. One day, Mia and Sue's children, Jade and Riley, find a mysterious embalmed hand in the woods. They decide to use it to contact the dead, and they are able to speak to Mia's mother.
Mia is overjoyed to be able to talk to her mother again, but the experience also has a dark side. The spirit of Mia's mother is not as benevolent as she seems, and she begins to possess Mia. Mia's friends and family try to help her, but she is becoming increasingly uncontrollable.
In the end, Mia is able to break free from the spirit's possession, but it is a close call. The experience has left her traumatized, but she has also learned to appreciate her loved ones more.