The new horror film “Talk to Me” has quickly climbed to the #4 spot on Netflix’s Top 10 movie list since its release on the platform. Directed by Australian filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou, the movie revolves around a group of friends who discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand. What starts as thrilling adventures takes a dark turn when one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces.
“Talk to Me” gained significant acclaim in 2023, becoming one of the top-scored horror films of the year. The movie elevates its concept by turning spirit communing and possession into a high school party game, resulting in one of the genre’s most harrowing sequences. Sophie Wilde delivers an excellent performance as Mia, the troubled protagonist.
Despite her relatively new career, Wilde has already appeared in 30 episodes across five different shows and recently starred in the acclaimed “Babygirl” with Nicole Kidman. “Talk to Me” holds the distinction of being the highest-scored, English-language, mainstream horror film of 2023 on Rotten Tomatoes, surpassed only by more niche foreign films like “When Evil Lurks,” “Huesera: The Bone Woman,” and “Attachment.”
A sequel, titled “Talk 2 Me,” has been greenlit by A24, with the original directors set to return.
Talk to Me acclaim punctuates Netflix
However, there has been little information about its development, and star Sophie Wilde expressed uncertainty about her involvement due to the directors’ busy schedules with other projects. Whether or not the sequel materializes, the original “Talk to Me” stands strong as a potential standalone project and deserves a spot on your Netflix queue this weekend if you are a horror enthusiast. The Philippou twins, who honed their skills through their YouTube channel RackaRacka, attracted over six million subscribers with their wild, live-action videos.
Their talent caught the attention of Conan O’Brien and Jimmy Kimmel, paving the way for their big-screen debut. The most gripping aspects of the film are the possession sequences, especially in the later stages. The Philippou brothers avoid relying on jump scares, instead cultivating a steadily unsettling atmosphere through disconcerting details like the huge, pitch-black, lifeless eyes of the possessed, achieved with large, dark contact lenses worn by the actors.
The film also excels in its sound design and powerful score, which heighten the nail-biting tension. By examining themes of guilt and grief, the Philippou twins use the horror genre’s capacity to delve into complex issues effectively. “Talk To Me” is now available on Netflix in the US and the UK, promising a viewing experience that will leave you clinging to the edge of your seat.
