Talk to Me is the debut film from directors Danny and Michael Philippou, known for their YouTube channel RackaRacka. Talk to Me demonstrates their impressive grasp on horror; no doubt honed through the brothers’ work on their channel but nonetheless it’s striking that they have created such a strong statement of modern horror with only their first film.

 

When an embalmed hand becomes the centre of a new party game for its ability to impart visions and induce trance like states in those who hold it, a group of friends take their new game too far in search of thrills, leading to dramatic supernatural consequences.

 

Talk to Me is utterly impressive. Featuring an engrossing lead performance from Sophie Wilde as Mia, and strong support from young actor Joe Bird and Miranda Otto as Riley and his mum Sue respectively. Otto is sharp and funny as a parent wise to her teenager’s antics and stories and Bird tackles a particularly dramatic horror scene extremely convincingly.

 

Talk to Me builds its feelings of tension and dread slowly following a short and sharp prologue, allowing time to develop Mia’s character through contrast with memories of her past with moments from her dysfunctional present relationship with her father. This is handled very effectively by the film, with those feelings of tension and dread coming to a crescendo at the moment we learn just what it means for Sophie to be the one at the centre of this story.  

 

Talk to Me is a striking debut from directors Danny and Michael Philippou, with a strong performance from Sophie Wilde complementing the film's effective scares and atmosphere; the result is a truly great modern horror.