CINEMA REVIEW: TALK TO ME (2022)
Directed by Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou
Written by: Danny Philippou, Bill Hinzman
Based on an idea by: Daley Pearson
Produced by: Samantha Jennings, Kristina Ceyton
Cast: Sophie Wilde, Alexandra Jensen, Joe Bird, Otis Dhanji, Miranda Otto, Zoe Terakes, Chris Alosio, Marcus Johnson, Alexandria Steffensen, etc.
Cinematography: Aaron McLisky
*** MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS ***
A cold paw of death, stiff fingers, rotting black nails, gripped by a living hand and opening a portal, a link to the other side to make contact with lost spirits. What does the hand represent or symbolise in terms of contemporary subtext? Is it mobile phones? Or social media? Or is it just a creepy device with which to layer chills and suspense and scare teenagers on a Friday night at the cinema. Does a horror film have to have a deeper meaning as long as it scares us?
Saw (2004), Paranormal Activity (2007), The Blair Witch Project (1999), Night of the Living Dead (1968) and most recently, Get Out (2017), are low budget horror films which became breakout box office hits. Similarly, to Peele’s debut chiller, Talk To Me (2022), is at the higher echelon of “low” budget cinema costing circa $4 million to produce. Yet, it has given A24 its biggest hit to date thanks to a nifty premise, impressive young cast, and compelling direction from yet another filmmaking sibling duo in Danny and Michael Philippou.
The film takes the phrase “talk to the hand” literally as a bunch of dopey Aussie teens play party games for kicks by connecting with the afterlife through a disembodied hand. Before you can say, “Candyman, Candyman, Candyman!” the ghost has decided they don’t want to return home and chooses to remain with the living. I hate it when that happens! Cue all sorts of creepy and unsettling shenanigans.
The emotional core of this overfamiliar ghoulish tale is represented in the grieving teen angst of Sophie Wilde’s Mia. In attempting to overcome the recent passing of her father, Mia leaves herself open to the torment of the nefarious spirits. So, once she has shook the dead hand at a party she is suddenly connected with her dead father’s spirit. Or is she cursed by something altogether more evil. What do you think?
For all the over-used tropes within Talk to Me (2022) is a very suspenseful and scary film. While Wilde’s acting is slightly overwrought, her character is the least irritating of the dumb teenage protagonists not thinking through the consequence of their actions. Thematically it is quite strong as it explores the nature of grief and how it impact one’s mental health. My one main criticism of the production was Aaron McLisky’s cinematography was too dark, even for a horror film. Nonetheless, the hand itself is an iconic prop, and will no doubt lead to a slew of most likely inferior franchised sequels.