Talk to Me, the Australian horror film, has generated a lot of buzz with its recent $10 million box office haul. The movie concludes on a disturbing note, leaving protagonist Mia stuck in a purgatory of her own making after summoning spirits using an eerie embalmed hand. The film, which was picked up by A24 after its premiere at Sundance, has left audiences wondering if there will be a sequel to explore the universe further.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, directors Danny and Michael Philippou expressed conflicting feelings about the possibility of a sequel. Danny admitted that part of him feels like the story is complete, while another part of him is eager to delve deeper into the world they created. He has specific set pieces in mind that he longs to shoot, making him unable to resist the opportunity for a sequel. Michael added a question to consider: should the sequel continue Mia’s story or explore another part of the world? Danny, who co-wrote the screenplay, finds both concepts exciting. Although the twins are currently occupied with Legendary’s Street Fighter adaptation, they are open to the idea of a sequel.
One thing the Philippous are certain about is that their story is a tragedy. Despite the gory fun found in the film, Talk to Me is ultimately a tale of grief and loss. Mia, mourning the apparent suicide of her mother, integrates herself into her friend Jade’s family in an attempt to cope. However, when local kids begin playing with the haunted hand that summons evil spirits, Mia’s grief drives her to participate. Her obsession with the hand leads to the possession and hospitalization of Jade’s little brother Riley. Ultimately, Mia finds herself imprisoned with the ghouls she summoned. According to Danny, the worst possible outcome was exactly what they wanted to convey in their story, as they aimed to express their own fears and anxieties.
The ending of the film has left viewers with questions, as Mia seemingly tries to save Riley by throwing his wheelchair into traffic, but ends up falling herself. The Philippous have answers, but they prefer to leave it up to interpretation. Danny explained that all the clues needed to understand the ending are present if viewers pay close attention to the screen. After her accident, Mia wanders through a hospital, seeing Riley in a better condition and her father, whom she previously stabbed, walking away. Danny describes Mia as a lost soul caught between two worlds, with the light slowly fading. Whether the visions Mia sees are real or not is open to interpretation.
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The Philippous have also developed a “thick” mythology for their story, detailing how the haunted hand works and its origins. As for the actual prop used in the film, one is kept in Danny’s bedroom, while the other five are “out there somewhere.” The set of Talk to Me may have been intense, but the twins, known for their YouTube channel RackaRacka, created a fun and supportive environment. Before shooting possession sequences, the cast and crew would rehearse potentially embarrassing material, ensuring no one felt embarrassed on set. Games like Uno with “really awkward social dares” added an extra layer of enjoyment to the set.
The prop hands were treated delicately, with everyone avoiding unnecessary contact to avoid damage. However, there was an eerie incident involving the hand. The person who worked on the prop quit the day it was delivered, leaving the Philippous curious about what happened. They speculate that something spooky might have occurred that night and are unsure if they should attempt to contact the person to find out the truth.
In conclusion, Talk to Me has captivated audiences with its haunting story and left them wondering about the possibility of a sequel. The Philippous have expressed mixed feelings but are open to the idea of continuing the story or exploring other aspects of the world they have created. With its success at the box office, a sequel may be in the cards. Viewers can interpret the film’s ending in their own way, and the directors have provided clues for those who pay attention. Despite the intense subject matter, the set of Talk to Me was a fun and supportive environment, allowing the cast and crew to immerse themselves in the story and create a memorable horror film.
