TALK TO ME
I went into TALK TO ME with low expectations. I admit I was doubtful because the directors were known as YouTubers, which, in hindsight, was clearly wrong. Danny and Michael Philippou delivered a seriously clever and deeply successful horror debut that transcends its viral origins.
They have taken the tired old trope of teenagers doing idiotic things and somehow made it feel fresh and relevant. While the central mechanic is just swapping a dusty old Ouija board for a mummified hand to summon spirits, the film excels in its execution and psychological grounding. It never feels like a rehash of familiar scenes. The characters feel real: they nail the younger sibling's desperate need to belong with older kids and the destructive paths teenagers take when they are unable to cope with grief and loss.
There is a palpable, menacing darkness present right from the opening moments, an unsettling presence waiting to drag these young people toward places they can't imagine. This results in genuinely disturbing, unforgettable imagery - visuals so visceral they will be tattooed on my brain for a long time to come. The film is beautifully paced, using its quiet, tense moments expertly to build and amplify the genuine fear and dread until it reaches an astonishing crescendo.
TALK TO ME was a massive shot in the arm for me. It immediately made me sit up and take close notice of the Philippou brothers' talent, opening my eyes to the high-level skill that exists on platforms like YouTube. This is my favourite film of the century so far, and after this I'm ready to join them for the next dark instalment.
Bev Tew