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1/15/2024: TALK TO ME (2022)

I will try to avoid outright spoilers, but it would be wise to skip reading this until you've seen the film. Normally I don't bother to mention this, but we're talking about a relatively new release.

I'm a year and a half late to this party, but Talk To Me is definitely my favorite horror movie of the last five years. My fiancee grew up watching Texas Chainsaw Massacre while she knitted, and she had to take a break from this one. Structurally it's similar to The Ring or Smile, in the sense that the protagonist races against time to solve a supernatural mystery. Talk To Me differs, however, in that the protagonist Mia can't seem to decide who's side she's on.

Directors Michael and Danny Philippou are masters at pacing. Setups and payoffs are delivered naturally, high tension scenes alternate with low tension ones. As the viewer, I was provided with enough information to make predictions but intrigued enough to see exactly how it would all play out. The runtime is a relatively tight 95 minutes, which I found refreshing. Also - get this - there's a prologue that actually serves to increase the tension rather than deflate it. There's a lot to love about this movie, but if you're a storyteller yourself I recommend paying particular attention to the pacing.

Also, how great is A24? In no particular order, I've been floored by Everything Everywhere All at Once, Midsommar, Hereditary, Ex Machina, Ladybird, and Uncut Gems. I've never been attached to a particular studio in this way before and I can't wait to see more.