“Talk to Me” (2022) is a horror movie directed by Danny and Michael Philippou, starring Sophie Wilde, Joe Bird and Alexandra Jensen among others.
“Talk to Me” is presented with the A24 seal and touted as the scariest film of the year and the debut of two young boys who, according to critics, have come to revolutionize cinema forever.
While they may indeed be here for that purpose, no one denies it, but this film is not as groundbreaking as it claims to be, and its plot does not lead us to a completely innovative movie.
Is it a good horror film? Certainly, and these two boys know how to direct very well. Beyond being a great first genre film, only time will tell if they have truly revolutionized the industry because here you will find a rather classic story of encounters with spirits from beyond.
Synopsis
When a group of friends stumble upon the ability to summon spirits using a preserved hand, they become captivated by the newfound excitement. However, their fascination takes a dark turn when one of them takes it too far and crosses a dangerous line.
Review of “Talk to Me”
A horror film that is born as a horror film and aims to be exactly that, drawing from all the knowledge and tradition of a genre in which, they say, everything has already been invented. One would have to mention the excellent film “Hereditary” to prove those who claim that wrong, and “Talk to Me” is one of those movies that, with its superb execution, twists, and even stylistic ambition, once again offers the story of a group of teenagers and their fateful encounters with the Ouija board.
The ratings that come with the film may be part of the outstanding marketing of the production company, or perhaps if you have only seen a hundred or two hundred horror films, but the movie is not as surprising as advertised, and in fact, it lacks the foundation to be so.
However, it deserves credit in terms of its cinematography, as it has excellent pacing and reaches a high level of achievement in its execution, framing, editing, and effects. Technically, it is very well done, but it never strays from what it is and what it never wants to stop being: a teenage horror film that conforms to the classic mold and, while maintaining a high level of quality within the genre, neither transcends nor reinvents it.
Our Opinion
It is a good film. If we hadn’t had such high expectations before its release, we would probably be pleasantly surprised. However, the hype surrounding its release has played a trick on us, and due to our high expectations, it ultimately falls short.
Movie Trailer
The Directors
Danny and Michael Philippou
The horror film “Talk to Me” is the directorial debut of brothers Danny and Michael Philippou. The Cypriot-Australian filmmakers are known for their unsettling short films that explore isolation and mental health issues. Danny and Michael Philippou grew up making short spooky films together on their parents’ camcorder and have later become known for crafting psychological thrillers that get under your skin. Their short films streaming on Youtube and Facebook racked up millions of views. This year, the brothers finally saw their first feature film premiere at Sundance.
The Cast
Otis Dhanji
Zoe Terakes
Chris Alosio
Marcus Johnson
Alexandria Steffensen
Ari McCarthy
