Believing that a pair of YouTubers would have one of 2023’s most-anticipated horror films might seem like a tall order to most, but that is precisely the case for brothers Danny and Michael Philippou, AKA RackaRacka, and their debut feature film, Talk to Me. The Australian duo has amassed over 6.5 million subscribers on YouTube, primarily known for their pranks, comedic skits featuring a “Ronald McDonald” character, videos with other celebrities such as KSI, and their impressive horror shorts. Eschewing their typical chaotic humor and occasionally wacky VFX, the Phillipou brothers succeed in crafting a far more intimate yet simultaneously terrifying project; Talk to Me stands out as not only RackaRacka’s most genuine venture to date but one of the year’s best horror films (so far).
The movie follows Mia (Sophie Wilde in a commanding performance), a teen grieving the recent loss of her mother. Hoping to stem her loneliness and despair, Mia attends a party with her best friend, Jade (Alexandra Jensen), and Jade’s brother, Riley (Joe Bird). The party’s star attraction? A ceramic hand that has gone viral for supposedly allowing one to communicate with the dead. Despite its authentic supernatural properties, the Gen Z crowd treats it as a game, filming the willing participants and seeing who can host the absurdist spirit in their bodies. When Mia attempts it, the presence overstays its welcome. Then, when she urges Riley on, he attracts a malevolent spirit who causes him to injure himself. Mia quickly races to save a dysfunctional Riley as her dead mother and other spirits suddenly occupy the dark corners of her life when not interacting with the hand.
The Philippou brothers, no doubt summoning their expertise with their popular horror videos on YouTube, gingerly craft a suffocating atmosphere filled with haunting imagery, tragic family circumstances, and some horrifying scenes. When the bleak realization of the kids’ situation hits, the tension in Talk to Me kicks up to 11 and never truly lets up. Unlike its July box office counterpart Insidious: The Red Door, which bombards the senses with its plentiful jump scares and then pads the time in between with less stimulating plot elements, Talk to Me maintains a constant sense of discomfort (playing well with the film’s A24-friendly trauma dumping) with some intelligently positioned terror sequences that do not drastically disturb the movie’s flow. The only complaint is that there should, ideally, be more of these scenes, which are sadly sparse until the final act, because what RackaRacka does offer the audience is disturbing and mortifying.
The third act is ultimately a logical enough conclusion to Mia’s story, as she has been affected considerably by the manipulative spirits on the other side of the ominous hand. However, without diving into spoilers, Mia’s path and some components border on cliché and tropey; the ending sequence is also somewhat predictable. Still, these largely subjective drawbacks are hardly egregious enough to warrant significant criticism. Alternatively, Talk to Me is chock-full of positives that prop the RackaRacka pair up as potentially excellent horror directors, including a horrifying family tale that rivals supernatural horror contemporaries like Hereditary and Relic.
Let’s not neglect the film’s commendable performances, notably Wilde and Bird’s, and an enjoyable supporting role from The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina‘s Miranda Otto. The always-excellent Make-up Effects Group handles the film’s practical effects, which shine whenever a decrepit, horrifying spirit graces the screen. And finally, one of the film’s most meaningful achievements – arguably – is emerging as one of Gen Z’s defining horror entries, highlighting the demographic accurately while incorporating universally relatable themes. Some random Internet comment compared this portrayal to Scream‘s embodiment of 90s teens, and while time will determine Talk to Me‘s influence on Gen Z and this modern wave of methodical horror, genre fans of all ages can revel in the success of yet another stellar film.
Talk to Me is now playing in theaters.
Fantastic review and agreed wholeheartedly on your last sentiments on it being the first great Gen Z horror film because “Bodies, Bodies, Bodies” Was not it albeit entertaining in parts.
Bodies x3 was a satire of Gen Z, so I’m not sure if it captures the spirit of the group so much as it makes fun of them. Talk to Me says, “This group of kids is largely concerned about filming some dumb shit for views, even at the expense of their peers, BUT here’s a whole deep and dark storyline about how that can negatively impact them and their families, and how universally tragic events like a parent dying can still force them to be human.”
Love to see a high rating for this one. Can’t wait to see it
I’m excited to see good horror films back out there. This looks very good and I most definitely want to see it!!!
Ooh. I’m excited now. I’m off to see this Monday
Sounds interesting
Really excited for this one
My brief thoughts: Some of what has been written about the Philippou brothers’ directorial debut has been focused on their YouTube roots. In a couple ways, there are occasions (not aesthetically) where these roots are clear——such as Mia and Riley singing Sia’s “Chandelier.” The Philippou brothers take a familiar framework of addiction and its damaging effects, yet their execution is jolting and devastating. It has been a while since a movie has provoked me to move around in my seat. Talk to Me elegantly transitions from horror to drama, and I will be on edge for the rest of the day.
Another hit for A24- doubling the weekend box office prediction. Very well done on a topic that has been driven into the ground previously. A scary take on it . Carried by an excellent young cast. No real cheap,shocks,that usually appear in these kind of films. Cold open has you thinking how it ties into the rest of the film. Definitely a must see. 3 of 4 stars
I loved this one. Great review!
Sounds like a really spooky and cool movie. I would go to a theater for this.
I thought this was a genuinely well crafted horror that wisely avoids simple jump scares in favour of a growing sense of unease that steadily becomes outright dread.
I suspect this will become a horror classic so brace for online ‘overrated’ comments flooding your newsfeed.
However this is genuinely well crafted horror that refuses to pander to its audience and is highly recommended.
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