A nasty, high-energy possession horror that turns a simple party game into a grief-soaked nightmare. It stands out for its brutal momentum, strong practical effects, and a bleak emotional undercurrent beneath the shocks.
54% ★★★☆☆ (1,598,330)
Talk to Me
Where to watch: Buy
Movie · Horror · R
2023 · 1h 35m · ★ 54% (2M)
You call. They'll answer.
Director: Michael Philippou, Danny Philippou
Starring: Sophie Wilde, Alexandra Jensen, Joe Bird
Overview
When a group of friends discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand, they become hooked on the new thrill, until one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces.
Director
Michael Philippou, Danny Philippou
Production
Causeway Films, Screen Australia, South Australian Film Corporation, Bankside Films, Head Gear Films, Metrol Technology
Cast
Sophie Wilde, Alexandra Jensen, Joe Bird, Otis Dhanji, Miranda Otto, Zoe Terakes, Chris Alosio, Marcus Johnson, Alexandria Steffensen, Ari McCarthy, Sunny Johnson, James Oliver, Cass Cumerford, Jett Gazley, Kitt Erhart-Bruce, Hamish Phillips, Kidaan Zelleke, Sarah Brokensha, Jayden Davison, Jodie Dry
Curator Review
Verdict
A nasty, high-energy possession horror that turns a simple party game into a grief-soaked nightmare. It stands out for its brutal momentum, strong practical effects, and a bleak emotional undercurrent beneath the shocks.
Best for
fans of modern possession horror
viewers who like intense, fast-moving scares
audiences drawn to grief-driven horror
people who enjoy gnarly practical effects and body horror
Skip if
you want a slow-burn atmospheric ghost story
you dislike relentless distress and cruelty
you prefer horror with a hopeful or playful tone
you are sensitive to self-harm, addiction, or family trauma themes
Overview
Talk to Me is the kind of horror movie that feels like a dare. It starts with a viral, dare-you-to-try-it premise and quickly becomes a vicious story about grief, peer pressure, and the thrill of losing control. The filmmakers keep the pace tight and the scares physical, so even the quieter scenes feel like they are sliding toward disaster.
Worth noting
What makes it work is the balance between teen recklessness and genuine emotional damage. The movie understands how addiction-like the ritual feels, and it uses that hook to make the supernatural escalation hit harder. It is not subtle, but it is disciplined, and the best sequences are genuinely upsetting.
Bottom line
This is a strong pick for viewers who want contemporary horror with teeth: ugly, efficient, and emotionally bruising. If you want something more mournful than fun, more punishing than cozy, it delivers.
Top Letterboxd reviews
aaron (3.5★) · 37030 likes
maybe the real horror was the crazy frog ringtone
bimbim (3.5★) · 29400 likes
that was so scary i'm glad australian people aren't real
CosmonautMarkie (4★) · 20120 likes
Horror movies need to go back to being hopeless and miserable like this 👍
owen (2.5★) · 18518 likes
I hate when the demon inside of me makes me do unholy things to white boys feet... I hate that shit soooo much omg.