This week on Friday Night Frights Movie Review, we have "Talk to Me".
A 2022 Horror film about Australian teens using an embalmed hand to conjure spirits and the consequences that comes from it.
The Philippou brothers, known for their popular YouTube channel RackaRacka, which features parodies of popular franchises like Harry Potter and Star Wars, may not be the expected choice to direct a horror film like "Talk to Me." However, their background in filming backyard wrestling matches as kids suggests that they have a natural talent for working behind the camera. With their feature film debut, "Talk to Me," the brothers demonstrate that their ten years of creating content on YouTube has been a journey of honing their craft.
The movie follows Mia, played brilliantly by Sophie Wilde, a high school student whose life has been affected by the loss of her mother. When a video of her friends playing a game that involves summoning spirits using an embalmed hand goes viral, Mia decides to join in. Little does she know that once the hand grips you, it won't let go.
While the central premise of the story may seem familiar, capitalizing on the popularity of Spirit boards and the tropes of supernatural horror, "Talk to Me" offers a fresh take by presenting these tropes through a Gen Z lens. By portraying a séance and possession as viral trends, the film creates a believable world where Australian teenagers would willingly put themselves in danger for the sake of online popularity. This believability stems from the fact that the internet has repeatedly shown us that teenagers are willing to take risks simply because it's trending online.
Given the Philippou brothers' decade-long presence in the social media sphere and their understanding of the generation they represent in "Talk to Me," it's no surprise that they capture the characters' interactions and reactions accurately. In a virtual world dominated by cancel culture, where people are often judged in black and white terms, the characters in the film are portrayed as high school movie caricatures. Mia is the outcast who is considered a "freak," while her best friend Jade (Alexandra Jensen) is always there to support and defend her. On the other hand, the bullies Hayley (Zoe Terakes) and Joss (Chris Alosio) are constantly rude and mean to everyone, even putting their lives at risk by introducing them to the Gen Z séance. This portrayal may alienate certain sections of the audience, but it effectively aligns with the film's themes, highlighting the toxic culture within social media by presenting a world where characters treat each other the same way they would behind a screen and keyboard.
By depicting the fusion of social media culture, "Talk to Me" creates a world where the supernatural game is not only realistically popular but also entirely believable for our protagonist to participate in. Once Sophie extends her hand, we, as the audience, are drawn in, and the Philippou brothers never release their grip on us. It is in this initial game of 'talk to me' that we witness the true filmmaking talents of Danny and Michael. Set at a party where Sophie is isolated and even antagonized by the two bullies, the scene immediately establishes a sense of danger, both from the spirits they are summoning and the people surrounding Sophie.
The rules of the game are clearly explained from the start. First, you grasp the embalmed hand, light a candle to open the door to the spiritual realm, and say "talk to me" to enable yourself to see the spirit. Saying "I let you in" allows the spirit to possess your body, and then you have ninety seconds to release the hand and expel the spirit before blowing out the candle to close the spiritual door. The directors utilize these rules to create a captivating atmosphere that keeps us engaged. The notion that each game could involve a different spirit adds an element of danger, while also allowing for impressive practical effects. However, it is the ninety-second rule that truly captivates, as it instills fear and anticipation with every countdown.
While some rules are clearly defined, others remain ambiguous, such as the threat the spirits pose to those they do not possess. As a result, "Talk to Me" does not rely heavily on gore or a high kill count, unlike some of RackaRacka's YouTube videos. Instead, the film builds an eerie atmosphere through extended periods without explicit violence, leaving us wondering "when" rather than "if" the inevitable moment will occur. When that moment finally arrives, it solidifies Danny and Michael Philippou as a formidable directing duo.
Although "Talk to Me" may not introduce the most original concept, it effectively captures the zeitgeist of an entire generation by presenting a supernatural force as a viral trend. In a time when Gen Z horror is gaining momentum, the Philippou brothers establish themselves as the leading figures in the genre, thanks in part to their incorporation of internet crazes and peer pressure. The film taps into the greatest fear of the social media generation: the fear of having one's life defined by a single moment posted online, a fate worse than death. In this regard, "Talk to Me" echoes the impact of Wes Craven's "Scream" (1996) and solidifies the Philippou brothers as a force to be reckoned with in the world of horror filmmaking.
Comments