Review: "Talk to Me" (2023) – A Fresh Possession Thriller with an Emotional Core

Horror films about possession are no strangers to cinema. From The Exorcist to The Conjuring, we’ve seen plenty of movies that explore the dark, terrifying theme of demonic possession, usually revolving around innocent victims overtaken by forces beyond their control.

 

However, Talk to Me (2023), the Australian horror sensation that took international audiences by storm, offers a refreshing and genuinely unsettling twist on the trope.

 

Directed by twin brothers Danny and Michael Philippou (better known for their YouTube channel RackaRacka), the film stands out not only for its scares but for its emotional weight, character-driven narrative, and chilling exploration of grief, addiction, and consequences.

 

Plot Overview: More Than Just Another Possession Movie

 

The premise of Talk to Me feels deceptively simple. A group of teenagers gets their hands on a mysterious embalmed hand that supposedly allows people to communicate with spirits.

 

To "play" the game, one must hold the hand, utter the words "talk to me," and invite the spirit into their body by saying, "I let you in." The twist? The possession must last no longer than 90 seconds, or the spirit might take permanent hold of the participant’s body. Naturally, as curiosity and recklessness take over, things spiral out of control when someone inevitably breaks the rules.

 

The protagonist, Mia (played by Sophie Wilde), is a grieving teenager grappling with the death of her mother. Her emotional vulnerability makes her particularly susceptible to the lure of the supernatural, and she quickly becomes obsessed with using the hand to contact her mother’s spirit. What starts as a teenage thrill quickly evolves into something much darker as Mia becomes increasingly haunted by the consequences of her actions.

 

Characters: A Realistic Take on Teenagers and Trauma

 

What sets Talk to Me apart from many other possession films is its deeply human characters. The central cast of teenagers doesn’t feel like stereotypical horror movie fodder – these are real people with distinct personalities and believable motivations. Sophie Wilde’s portrayal of Mia is particularly impressive. She conveys the complexity of a character who is not only mourning her mother’s death but also dealing with feelings of isolation and guilt. Mia’s grief serves as the emotional heart of the film, making her descent into the supernatural all the more tragic.

 

Mia’s friends, Jade (Alexandra Jensen) and Riley (Joe Bird), add layers to the story. Jade is Mia’s best friend, but their relationship becomes strained as Mia’s obsession with the hand grows. Meanwhile, Riley, Jade’s younger brother, becomes a key figure in the story’s most terrifying and heartbreaking moments. The relationship dynamics between the characters feel authentic, and their decisions – while sometimes reckless – make sense within the context of the story.

 

The film also explores the concept of peer pressure, especially among teenagers. The characters treat the possession as a party game, a way to show off and seek validation from their peers. This element of the film feels very grounded in the realities of teenage life, where thrill-seeking behavior often leads to unforeseen consequences. The Philippou brothers use this setup to make a broader commentary on the dangers of peer pressure and addiction, with the hand serving as a metaphor for both.

 

Horror and Atmosphere: Tension That Never Lets Up

 

While the emotional core of Talk to Me is one of its biggest strengths, make no mistake – this is a terrifying film. The possession sequences are some of the most harrowing and intense scenes in recent horror. Unlike other possession movies that rely heavily on visual effects or elaborate contortionist tricks, Talk to Me keeps things simple yet disturbingly effective. When the spirits take control of a body, the transformations are subtle, but the actors' performances make them bone-chilling.

 

The spirits themselves are unnerving. Rather than relying on jump scares or over-the-top gore, the film opts for a more psychological and unsettling approach. These spirits are grotesque and disfigured, often muttering cryptic and menacing messages. But what’s most terrifying is their unpredictability – you never know what they’ll say or do next. Each time someone holds the hand, the tension becomes almost unbearable, as you wait to see whether they’ll follow the 90-second rule or cross the line into something far more dangerous.

 

The sound design and cinematography play a huge role in creating this atmosphere. The film’s use of quiet, lingering moments is masterful, allowing the tension to build naturally without relying on the usual horror movie tropes. When the scares do come, they hit hard, precisely because they feel earned. The color palette, often drenched in blues and grays, adds to the sense of foreboding, while the claustrophobic framing gives the feeling that the characters – and the audience – are never quite safe.

 

Themes: Grief, Addiction, and the Price of Curiosity

 

Talk to Me isn’t just a horror film; it’s also a poignant exploration of grief and trauma. Mia’s journey is at the heart of this thematic exploration. Her desire to communicate with her deceased mother is what drives her to keep using the hand, despite the clear dangers. In this sense, the film touches on how grief can lead people to make irrational decisions, especially when they’re desperate for closure or connection.

 

This theme is further enhanced by the film’s exploration of addiction. The hand becomes a dangerous drug for Mia and her friends. At first, it’s a fun, thrilling experience, but as they continue to "use" it, the consequences grow increasingly severe. The addiction metaphor is clear, and the Philippou brothers handle it with nuance. The film shows how addiction can spiral out of control, causing harm not only to the person addicted but also to those around them.

 

At the same time, Talk to Me critiques the recklessness of curiosity. The teens’ fascination with the supernatural hand mirrors real-world obsessions with dangerous trends, dares, or substances that are treated like games until they turn deadly. The thrill of the unknown, combined with peer pressure, leads to a tragic and irreversible outcome, a commentary on how curiosity can sometimes lead us to places we’re not prepared to handle.

 

Performances: Sophie Wilde Shines in a Breakout Role

 

Sophie Wilde’s performance as Mia is the standout of the film. She brings a raw intensity to the role, convincingly portraying a character who is teetering on the edge of sanity. Wilde expertly balances vulnerability and strength, making Mia a deeply sympathetic character even when her actions are questionable. It’s clear that Mia is a young woman in pain, and Wilde makes sure that the audience feels every ounce of that pain.

 

The supporting cast also does an excellent job. Alexandra Jensen’s portrayal of Jade feels refreshingly grounded, providing a foil to Mia’s emotional turmoil. Joe Bird’s Riley gives one of the most memorable performances as a young boy caught up in something far beyond his understanding. His possession scene is particularly gut-wrenching and serves as the emotional climax of the film.

 

Miranda Otto, playing Jade and Riley’s mother, adds gravitas to the film in her relatively minor but pivotal role. As the voice of reason, her presence serves as a stark reminder of the very real consequences of the supernatural game the teens are playing. Otto’s performance anchors the film’s more fantastical elements in reality, making the horror feel that much more tangible.

 

Direction and Style: The Philippou Brothers’ Impressive Debut

 

For first-time feature directors, Danny and Michael Philippou demonstrate remarkable skill in crafting a horror film that is both emotionally resonant and genuinely terrifying. Their background in YouTube filmmaking shines through in their creative use of practical effects and innovative storytelling techniques. Talk to Me feels polished and assured, with the Philippou brothers showing a clear understanding of pacing, tension, and how to deliver a scare without cheapening the experience.

 

The decision to keep much of the possession lore ambiguous works in the film’s favor. Rather than explaining every detail about how the hand works or delving into an elaborate backstory, the film lets the mystery linger. This decision makes the supernatural elements feel more otherworldly and unknowable, adding to the sense of dread that permeates the movie.

 

Talk to Me stands out in a crowded horror landscape not just for its scares but for its emotional depth and the thoughtfulness with which it explores themes of grief, addiction, and the dangers of curiosity. The Philippou brothers have crafted a film that’s as moving as it is terrifying, and Sophie Wilde’s standout performance elevates the entire experience. It’s a horror movie that lingers long after the credits roll, not just because of the terrifying images it leaves behind but because of the emotional resonance of its story.

 

In a time when many horror films rely on predictable formulas and jump scares, Talk to Me offers something refreshingly different. It’s a film that respects its audience, trusting them to follow along without spoon-feeding every detail, and it rewards that trust with a deeply satisfying and disturbing experience. Whether you’re a seasoned horror fan or someone who typically shies away from the genre, Talk to Me is a must-watch – a film that will undoubtedly go down as one of the best horror movies of the decade.