Talk to Me

Talk to Me is a supernatural horror film from Australia, directed by Danny and Michael Philippou. It marks their debut in feature-length filmmaking. The film was co-written by Danny Philippou and Bill Hinzman, based on a concept by Daley Pearson. The cast includes Sophie Wilde, Alexandra Jensen, Joe Bird, Otis Dhanji, Miranda Otto, Zoe Terakes, Chris Alosio, Marcus Johnson, and Alexandria Steffensen.

The storyline revolves around a group of teenagers who discover a way to communicate with spirits using a strange, embalmed severed hand. The film takes a deep dive into themes of grief and the consequences of dabbling with the unknown.

It premiered on 30 October 2022 at the Adelaide Film Festival and was released in Australia on 27 July 2023. The following day, it was released in North America by A24. The film has been well-received by critics, who praised its gripping story, impressive direction, and effective horror elements, leading to a worldwide box office gross of approximately $92.2 million against a budget of $4.5 million, making it A24's highest-grossing horror film.

The film opens at a house party in Adelaide, where a character named Cole searches for his brother Duckett. The situation turns tragic when Duckett stabs Cole and takes his own life. Fast forward, and 17-year-old Mia is grappling with the loss of her mother, Rhea, who passed away from an accidental overdose. Mia, along with her friends, attends a party where they use the severed hand to connect with spirits. The experience proves thrilling but quickly spirals into chaos as Mia becomes possessed by a spirit that aims to interact with her younger friend, Riley.

The group's experimentation with the hand leads to disastrous consequences. Mia becomes increasingly haunted by visions of her deceased mother, intensifying her feeling of guilt after Riley sustains critical injuries related to their encounters with the spirit world. As Mia struggles with her mental health and relationships with her friends and family, she discovers unsettling truths about her mother's death.

As the plot unfolds, Mia's desperation leads her to make drastic choices, ultimately resulting in a shocking and tragic ending. The film concludes with Mia experiencing a frightening twist, leaving the viewer with lingering questions about the nature of grief and the supernatural.

Critics have highlighted the film’s strong performances, especially those of Sophie Wilde and Joe Bird, who portray the emotional struggles of their characters convincingly. The film has received high ratings, earning a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 76 out of 100 on Metacritic.

Looking ahead, a sequel titled Talk 2 Me is already in the works, with the original filmmakers set to return. Alongside that, a prequel has been shot, focusing on Duckett’s backstory, further expanding the film’s universe.