Talk to Me (Danny Philippou & Michael Phillippou, 2022/23)
The problem with Gen Z horror films is the tendency for it to be writtern or directed by a much older hack with a misconceived notion of what makes the TikTok generation tick. Resulting in either a poor modern update to an established franchise, or a generic cut and past new IP - both of which populated with a thoroughly reprehensible entourage of "relevant" characters. Fortunately, co-writers and co-directors, the Philippou brothers avoid this problem with their paranormal horror film Talk to Me (2023) as they've managed to flesh out successful characters and a compelling premise which is accessible to older heads like myself.
You would think that a a macabre hand with supernatural powers of serving as a conduit to the otherside would be kept under strict observation by science boffins in a secret lab rather than an alternative to spin the bottle at Aussie parties. The object in question is nothing more than a parlour game for stoned and intoxicated teens. Filming your mate summon an undead spirit and watching him do hilariously embarassingly acts whilst being possessed, like snogging the dog or bashing their skull in on household furninture, makes for a top night for Aussie zoomers. All in all, these different scenarios really make the audience feel like they're attendees at these soirees.
Credit to Sophie Wilde, who plays Mia with a degree of complexity and
manages to avoid the trappings of many of her peers by handling grief in a rather professional and convincing manner. For such a young and relatively unknown performer, she does a
sterling job. She comes as a refreshing alternative to the typical Mickey Mouse Club noname divas in made for Netflix and Shudder horror film shite, in my opinion. Despite her
character's flaws, Wilde manages to present Mia as a likeable invidual
in the film; which says alot when you include some of her dodgy actions later on.
The lore is what ultimately makes this film appealing. There are rules presented early on and the Philippous adhere to it throughout. Combine this with its young and believable cast and an intensely atmospheric setting full of dread, and you have a film which evokes similiar qualities to David Robert Mitchell's It Follows (2014); making this a winner.
Despite its plaudits, I've found A24 to be very hit and miss film production company. It's more or less Blumhouse for hipsters, or the first port of calling for nursery level cinephiles after growing up on a diet of Disney swill movies. However, every now and then, A24 does deliver a gem and Talk to Me is definitely one of them. The film's success is obviousy indebted to its cast and crew, but it deserves a shoutfor spotting some fresh talent and putting them on my radar. Keen to see where the Philippous along with Wilde will go from here. Perhaps these figures might signal a new wave in Aussie horror eventually, who knows?