Talk to Me (2022) Review | MovieTalk+

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Talk to Me is a movie that honestly grew on me the more I sat with it. On my first viewing, I liked it. On repeat viewings, I got it. And once it clicked, it really clicked.

On the surface, this is a slick, modern possession movie built around a simple but brilliant hook: a group of teens use an embalmed hand to communicate with the dead, turning the experience into a party trick and viral dare. You say the words, grab the hand, let something in… and hope you can handle what comes next. It’s clean, efficient, and immediately unsettling.

But where Talk to Me really succeeds is how it blends supernatural horror with emotional trauma. Sophie Wilde is excellent as Mia, a character driven by grief, loneliness, and a desperate need to feel connected to something. Her performance anchors the film, and the more times you watch it, the clearer it becomes that this isn’t just a possession story — it’s about addiction, peer pressure, and self-destruction disguised as a horror high.

The directing debut from Danny and Michael Philippou is wildly confident. The movie has a sharp visual identity, strong pacing, and a mean streak that never feels cheap. The possession scenes are intense, uncomfortable, and sometimes downright cruel — not because they’re overly gory, but because they feel invasive and wrong. The sound design and score do a lot of heavy lifting here, constantly keeping you on edge even in quieter moments.

What surprised me most on rewatches is how disciplined the film is. It doesn’t overexplain its mythology, it doesn’t spoon-feed answers, and it trusts the audience to piece things together. Some moments that initially felt abrupt or confusing started to feel intentional — especially as the emotional arc of Mia’s character became clearer.

That said, Talk to Me isn’t perfect. Some secondary characters could’ve used a bit more development, and the film’s final stretch may leave certain viewers wanting more concrete answers. But personally, I think the ambiguity works in its favor. It sticks with you and makes you think.

Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Talk to Me is one of those modern horror films that rewards patience and repeat viewings. It’s disturbing, emotionally raw, and far smarter than it first appears. What starts as a possession party trick slowly reveals itself as something darker, sadder, and more haunting — and that’s exactly why it works.