‘Talk to Me’ Horror Movie Review

Imagine having access to an embalmed hand that allows you to contact spirits when you touch it. That plot is at the core of the Australian horror film Talk to Me, which marks the directorial debut of brothers Danny and Michael Philippou. I had the opportunity to attend an advanced screening at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, CA. The event was sold out and the space was bustling with excited viewers. When the lights turned down, we were all in for quite a supernatural thrill ride. Don’t worry, there won’t be any major spoilers, but there may be some scares.

The movie opens at a house party where a young guy is exhibiting disturbing behavior. The festivities become grim very fast and stained by bloodshed. The main question is what triggered the gruesome situation that transpired. From the start, the movie comes in dark and heavy.

As the plot progresses, we learn that two individuals, Hayley (Zoe Terakes) and Joss (Chris Alosio), have acquired an embalmed hand with mysterious origins. It’s believed to have belonged to either a malicious psychic or Satanist, but no one knows for sure. The pair throws parties inviting friends and schoolmates to experience the strange effects of the object. Footage sharing the possession that appears to take over people when they touch the hand goes viral, and it attracts the attention of Mia (Sophia Wilde) and her friend Jade (Alexandra Jensen), who are at the center of the narrative.

They attend one of these gatherings, and Mia is the brave soul who volunteers to make contact with the hand. However, there are rules. First, you have to be restrained in a chair with a belt. Second, you need to firmly grip the hand. Third, you say, “Talk to me.” And finally, after 90 seconds, you must be separated from the object.

What individuals see when they are in the clutches of the embalmed hand is disturbing. The person sitting next to me jumped out of his seat when Mia encountered one of these spirits. It was an intense moment, to say the least.

Although initially frightened, Mia and the group of friends become obsessed with the rush they experience, eagerly taking turns with the cursed limb. This is when things get out of control.

Overall, I found the storyline intriguing, and the movie kept me and the entire audience engaged. Sophia Wilde, who played Mia, did a fantastic job in her role and I wavered between sympathizing and despising her. At the conclusion of the film, we were treated to a live interview with directors Danny and Michael!

When asked about the inspiration behind the project, they shared how mental illness runs in their family and how that influenced certain aspects of the motion picture. I was also surprised to learn that the person who was responsible for delivering the hand prop to the set quit that very night. The brothers said they never discovered why the employee resigned; it remains a mystery. The interviewer also brought up how the ending of the movie appears to leave room for a prequel or sequel. The pair mentioned it’s something they’re considering, and a sequel may be a possibility. I would be very interested in watching that.

Talk to Me releases in theaters nationwide on July 28th.

Where to Stalk

Talk to Me Film

Aero Theatre