Talk To Me

Genre: Horror
Rating: 15
Warnings: Intense Gore, Intense Violence, Body Horror, Intense Self Harm, Suicide References

A genuinely frightening concept with compelling plot and characters, Talk To Me isn't detracted from by its relentless gore like so many empty slashers. While it is most definitely not for everyone, (and too much for me!) the gore isn't in itself what is supposed to scare you; what causes it is.

The teenagers, one of which is only 14, summon the dead with a haunted artifact as a party game, recording each other being possessed on their phones. The protagonist, Mia, played superbly by Sophie Wilde, lost her mum two years ago, and the fourteen-year-old Riley, played emotively by Joe Bird, channels her late mother the first time he has a go. This is the inciting incident.

From here on out, Riley is in hospital, possessed by an unknown entity that wants to kill him and steal his soul away, and Mia is torn between helping him and reconnecting with her late mother. There is body horror and a lot of potentially triggering moments of self harm and familial distress as the thing puppets Riley. Mia's desperation and Riley's mum's fear for his safety are realistic horror, giving the paranormal elements a grounding that lets them be scary; injuries are only gross but with relatability they become a situation we can picture ourselves in.

The visuals are stunning too - the hand is so creepy in itself but even creepier somehow covered in graffiti, the changing appearance of both Riley through injuries and Mia through emotional breakdown, and the appearance of the dead in their realm... Without giving away the ending, the whole film is not just a gut punch but a fantastic journey. Barely endurable on the big screen, it should be a great view on home streaming for horror fans. Turn out the lights and put it on the TV screen if you dare!