HCA Gradebook: ‘Talk to Me’

Film: Talk to Me (2023)

Plot: When 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.

Cast: Sophie Wilde, Miranda Otto, Alexandra Jensen, Joe Bird, Otis Dhanji, Zoe Terakes, Chris Alosio

Directors: Danny Philippou & Michael Philippou

Studio: A24

Number of Graders: 15

Average Grade: B+

Member Grades:

Nicholas Spake
Talk to Me has the eerie essence of a Twilight Zone episode. That said, this setup probably could’ve worked just as well – if not a little better – with a half-hour runtime. That extra hour isn’t unwelcome, however. Danny and Michael Philippou, or RackaRacka as they’re known on YouTube, have made a slick debut feature with chilling practical effects and utterly convincing performances. It’s appropriate that the brothers started as YouTubers, as one could imagine Talk to Me’s premise inspiring plenty of TikTok videos. Are you bold enough to accept the #TalkToMeChallenge?
Grade: B

Rachel Wagner
Scrappy little effective horror movie.
Grade: B

Idk what the rest of 2023 has in store, but #TalkToMe is BETTER than any HORROR MOVIE I’ve seen this decade! The PHILIPPOU Bro’s get everything right in this film. Epic FX Makeup, engrossing story, visuals and sequences that will mess you up! Think HEREDITARY & EVIL DEAD minus the camp!
Grade: A

Ema Sasic
Talk to Me had a lot of potential, but ultimately it chose the easy way out with many of its choices and leaves you with many questions. I was questioning why many things played out the way they did, particularly when they seemed to contradict “rules” that were established in its world. The ending also gets too rushed and doesn’t get the full big bang it deserves.
Grade: C-

Aaron Neuwirth
The Philippou twins manage to throw enough at the audience to provoke a strong reaction and have done so with the spirit of other hungry young filmmakers that delivered classics for the genre.
Grade: B+

Taylor Gates
Talk to Me is a stunning debut feature and one of the most captivating horror movies in recent memory. The performances are incredible, especially from exciting newcomer Sophie Wilde. The Gen Z characters feel authentic, and the entire cast has a genuine, lived-in chemistry. The haunting visuals and exploration of serious, heavy subject matter combined with moments of comedy strike a perfect tone. You’ll laugh, you’ll scream, you’ll cry, and you’ll be thinking about this one long after the credits roll.
Grade: A

James White
Talk To Me is an excellent example of a debut by young filmmakers. In this case, YouTubers Michael and Danny Philippou apply all that they learned making their own movies and shorts for years to this scary, atmospheric, humane, and clever film. Teens contacting the dead for craps and cackles and social media clout is a great concept, but the directors, writers, and cast are careful to not let the surface become the substance. There is a deeper discussion of grief, loss, race, and how friendships work as surrogate families, and the creeping feeling of dread emanating from the movie is palpable—one of the strongest releases, genre or not, of the year.
Grade: A

Morgan Rojas
A24’s latest horror film, Talk to Me, is a litmus test of physical restraint. How long you can go without clenching your fists, squirming in your seat, or covering your eyes is determined by your tolerance for intense gore and–to be frank–sheer insanity. Supernatural forces conjure chaos in Australian filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou’s directorial debut, making for a whiplash of thrills that will no doubt delight any masochistic horror fan.
Grade: C+

Abbie Bernstein
Overall, Talk to Me is a good movie that serves its horrorcore and has intelligent observations about high school behavior.
Grade: B

Monica Gleberman
Many horror movies claim to be “the scariest movie of all time” and fail to deliver. Talk to Me promised nothing, yet over-delivers with an imaginative, fresh story full of horrifying gruesome scenes and a psychological storyline that you will think about long after it ends. The cinematographer and composer did an excellent job working together as scenes play out hand-in-hand perfectly with close-up shots and music drops that create a sense of anxiety. You will jump, have your hand on your face, and sink in your seat as you watch what happens with this group of “friends,” specifically Mia (played by Sophie Wilde). This film grabs your hand and won’t let go of you… so try to hold on for longer than 90 seconds. Good luck! 
Grade: A

Lupe Rodriguez Haas
Talk to Me doesn’t rely on the usual jump scares but introduces new ways of scaring the audience with a chilling effect.
Grade: A-

Sara Clements
Talk To Me is nuts!!! When a game of conjuring spirits goes too far, it causes so much mayhem that I had my jaw on the floor. It’s also way more bloody than I anticipated. I’m on the fence about the ending, but Sophie Wilde kills it & is a standout star.
Grade: B+

Catalina Combs
What a terrifying film! Which is a good thing. It’s an intelligent and sophisticated horror. First-time directors brought it. The acting was well done. The story was intense, emotional, and horrific in all the best ways. The tension that builds is done so with superb pacing.
Grade: A

Rick Bentley
Co-directors Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou and co-writer Bill Hinzman have breathed new life into the familiar teenager-in-peril horror genre with their Talk to Me. In doing so, they have managed to create one of the creepiest films of the year.
Grade: B+