A24’s latest horror film Talk to Me is a litmus test of physical restraint. How long can you go without clenching your fists, squirming in your seat, or covering your eyes is determined by your tolerance for intense gore, and–to be frank–sheer insanity. Supernatural forces conjure chaos in Australian filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou’s directorial debut, making for a whiplash of thrills that will no doubt delight any masochistic horror fan.
Written by Danny Philippou and Bill Hinzman (and based on a concept by an additional ten people), Talk to Me tells a story of a group of high schoolers who get caught up in conjuring spirits. The film also comments on the natural coming-of-age tendencies to experiment with boundaries and the enticing element of danger.
A couple of years after the unexpected death of her mother, Mia (Sophie Wilde) is beginning to have some semblance of a normal life again. Growing accustomed to not having her mom by her side, Mia finds comfort and stability with her best friend’s family, Jade (Alexandra Jensen), her younger brother Riley (Joe Bird), and their mother Sue (Miranda Otto).
One night, Mia and Jade invite a small group over to their house to try out a bizarre ritual that has been sweeping social media. Lighting a candle, holding the hand of an embalmed paranormal body part, and whispering the words “Talk to me, I’ll let you in,” is all it takes for demonic spirits to cross over from the other side and inhabit the body of the victim. Or, that’s what the group of friends are led to believe. A time limit of about 90 seconds is discussed beforehand; anything longer than that and the spirits could take over your body forever. Of course, things don’t go as planned during the group’s night of conjuring as they accidentally unleash the most demonic, nightmarish supernatural forces that quickly overstay their welcome.
The Philippou brothers push maximalist extremes in every direction. From the scratchy string-heavy score by composer Cornel Wilczek to the hyper-realistic special effects makeup, there is a lot to digest. Blood floods out of pores like a rapidly flowing river and skin flakes off like hardened scotch tape in such astute detail, it’s enough to make one’s stomach a bit queasy. These aesthetics help elevate the performances as well. Alexandra Jensen, playing Mia’s BFF Jade, steals the show with her grounded yet increasingly unhinged performance.
On the whole, Talk To Me is a staggering directorial debut. The Philippou brothers know how to capture the audience’s attention and have them hanging onto every word. Their fresh voices and stylish aesthetic in the horror genre are welcome, and I look forward to seeing what nightmarish brainchild they’ll come out with next.
Distributed by A24. Talk To Me opens in theaters on Friday, July 28th.
