Talk to Me (released 7/28/23)

This wasn’t originally on my watch list but I had been hearing good things about it. It is by A24 which is a bit more arthouse but they usually go for the uncomfortable, twisted horror rather than the fun, popcorn horror of Blumhouse. The premise is about these teens that have a cursed hand mold that may or may not have a real witch hand inside. If you hold the hand and say “Talk to me” then you see a dead person. If you say “I let you in” then they can possess you until you release the hand and blow out the candle. The whole thing goes off the rails and gives us the movie. It is a very get-in, get-out kind of movie. It has a 90-minute runtime and focuses on the “game” followed by the repercussions. I loved the unique premise, but the fact they kept doing it like it was a drug and not lost spirits wanting to escape or claim victims is dumb. The premise is good, the kids are stupid beyond belief. Definitely worth checking out.

Story - 18%

Characters - 16%

Pacing - 18%

Spectacle - 19%

Entertainment - 18%

Total score: 89%

Grade scale:

90%-100% = must watch

80%-89% = solid, but could be better

70%-79% = Not terrible, watch if the characters or story interests you

60%-69% = only watch for completionist reasons

0%-59% = just skip it, I find the positives and they don't exist here