Review: Australia's 'Talk To Me' Is The Best Horror Film Of 2023 So Far
By Manuel Sao Bento
August 7, 2023
Like every year, 2023 started with the Sundance Film Festival. It's still a unique experience, especially compared to other festivals, as most films have yet to secure a distribution deal, let alone an online marketing or advertising campaign. . It's an exciting opportunity to meet with directors, writers, actors and anyone else involved in making low-budget films. The program of the last edition of this festival is as follows: It seemed to me that it was not great in 2021 or 2022… maybe because I had missed the best horror film ever at Sundance called The Talk . in the midnight category (following its world premiere at the Adelaide Film Festival in late 2022).
Australian brothers Danny and Michael Filippo were on the watchlist for the first film festival, but I can't remember why it ended up being overlooked. The premise of Brothers in Arms isn't very appealing or creative, as the story revolves around a familiar formula: human possession by supernatural spirits. The only positive side effect of missing the festival (I was talking about European digital audio) was that I got to see one of the scariest films in recent memory on the big screen when it hit theaters this summer.
From now on, Talk to Me will be evidence to support the idea that it belongs in the horror genre. It's a no-brainer that the cosmetic work on this monstrous character deserves an award. Many moments of violence with a supernatural effect - when heads fall on walls and furniture, bones break, people bite themselves or others - this feeling of disgust is caused by the fact of all the technical elements. Aside from her eyes turning horribly black, special effects in this film are rare.
Audiences have seen dozens, if not hundreds, of property characters, so tell me who 's less likely to do well in that particular area. However, the performance of these iconic moments is so vivid and intimate that it keeps viewers glued to the screen, so many try to look away without success. The Filippo brothers (creators of YouTube's " Racaraca ") focus on big performances rather than cheap, repetitive leaps, a lesson the greatest horror films never learn. Sophie Wilde is distinguished by an unforgettable performance - the physical body is very important to her - but all the actors give body and soul to their characters.
That's right, no one looks at life differently from the movie, thanks to the screenplay by Danny Filippo and Bill Hinzman. Talk to Me is one of those movies which requires a theatrical experience due to the eerie atmosphere and engaging scenes created by the makers. It's an incredibly immersive film from start to finish, and it will especially appeal to viewers who enjoy watching horror films in which every aspect of the production contributes significantly to its success.
I have to say that Talk to Me is far from easy viewing for more aggressive viewers. The brutality is very clear and unpredictable, depending on the conditions of pure visual shock. Most of these sequences are long with several intense moments rather than a single climax. From the very first takedown scene, the film maintains a breakneck pace without the need for a break.
Themes such as suicide, grief, depression and loneliness are included in the narrative but never explored, leading to the assumption that it uses human suffering to shock people. Personally, I don't think this was the intention of the filmmakers, but the truth is that they ended the film the way they started with these issues, as the characters didn't develop much. There is very little discussion of any of these topics.
However, the ending of Talk to Me leaves no one indifferent, and the ending of the main character is just excellent. It feels like one of those endings that were thought up and written before the rest of the movie because it fits so well into the structure. The film is a sad story that is sure to resonate with many viewers and I hope these Australian brothers are given more opportunities to create what they want, because they have made me a fan.
Note: A prequel is complete and a sequel is planned. Bring them up!
Final thoughts
Philips TalkTogne has experienced incredible festivals and premieres all over the world. It is without a doubt one of the scariest movies of recent years! Incredible practical effects, fantastic makeup, captivating performances - Sophie Wilde is a standout - and flawless execution of truly shocking, bloody and unexpected moments of violence. It doesn't have the most imaginative story in the "spooky characters" sub-genre and leaves some significant themes unexplored, but it's definitely one of the best horror films of the year. Danny and Michael Filippo: Remember their names.
Manual grade: A-
Follow Manuel on Twitter - @msbreviews / or Letterboxd - @msbreviews
