Movies
‘Talk to Me’ Will Break Your Heart In All the Right Ways
Talk to Me is a slick, chilling horror movie from first-time feature-film directors Danny and Michael Philippou. The story follows Mia (Sophie Wilde) and her group of friends as they use a very creepy-looking hand to communicate with otherworldly entities. When events inevitably spiral out of their control, the teens must grapple with forces they cannot comprehend and consequences they cannot explain.
A Story About Kids Dealing With Things Outside of Their Control
The movie is moody and tense, which makes the sudden bursts of gore and violence all the more painful. The streak of humor that runs throughout the film provides some relief. Still, it ends up compounding the tragedy at the heart of this story. All the young actors (Joe Bird, Alexandra Jensen, Otis Dhanji, Zoe Terakes, and Chris Alosio), do an excellent job of showcasing their characters’ rebellious naivete without making any one person seem cruel or evil. There are no villains in this story, only fucked up kids trying to control the uncontrollable. “We wanted to modernize possession,” Danny told IGN at ComiCon this year, “and see realistically how the youth would react to it today.”
The boisterous Philippou brothers were brimming with excitement at Fantasia on Sunday night as they introduced their film. The sold-out audience gave the Australians a bombastic reception before the film even started. “You guys are fucking wild,” they said (which is a very common reaction to the notoriously rowdy crowds at Montreal’s long-running genre film festival). During the screening, the audience laughed, cheered, cringed, and screamed at all the right moments, leaving the duo grinning from ear to ear during the Q&A.
The Philippou Brothers Discussed Their “Impossible” Shot at Fantasia Fest
The brothers threw all their funds into making this feature themselves, in part to avoid the strings that would have come attached to a big studio budget. They focused on storytelling and practical effects, using CGI only to smooth out the edges. During Sunday’s Q&A, Michael explained that when they started making videos as kids, digital effects were not accessible to them, so using practical effects was “ingrained in us early”. There’s a particularly impressive montage sequence that the brothers scrambled to shoot, though you wouldn’t know it from looking at the finished product. “We had two hours [to shoot it] and like 50 setups. Our assistant director said it was mathematically impossible!” Michael laughed. “Shout out to our focus puller!” added Danny (the crew member who keeps the camera in focus).
The hype around Talk to Me has been brewing since it shocked audiences at January’s Sundance festival, a journey that the brothers documented on their wildly popular RackaRacka YouTube channel. The premier grabbed the attention of every big name in horror, including Ari Aster, Jordan Peele, and even Stephen King. Once A24, a powerhouse for any independent production, picked up the film for distribution, the momentum skyrocketed. “We just threw the dice and made a film we’re proud of,” said Michael during a longer conversation about the ‘stigma’ of being a YouTuber in the film industry. “If you’re a storyteller, you’re a storyteller. It doesn’t matter where you came from.”
Audiences Should Get Ready to be Terrified
There is no doubt that Talk to Me is expertly crafted on every level, from the story and the cinematography, to the sound design and the editing. The cool blue tones surrounding Mia leave us longing for connection and community, and the visual pops of yellow create an ominous sense of warmth. Sophie Wilde’s performance conveys a visceral, painful sense of guilt and denial that will squeeze your heart and leave you gasping for breath. Talk to Me will stay with horror fans long after the credits roll.
Hollywood actors and writers are currently on strike against the AMPTP. This movie is not associated with any struck production. However, you can still support those affected most by the strike by donating to the Entertainment Community Fund here!
Movies
The Best Horror You Can Stream on Netflix in February
It’s still too cold to seriously consider going outside, so I am still in my couch potato era. Cozy, comfort, and Netflix are the three words people will hear me chanting under my breath this month. I also recently finished a group rewatch of Slasher: Solstice and have been looking at the other TV shows currently living on Netflix. Which is why I am looking for the warmth of my next quick binge. That’s right! I’m here with a few shows that could be taken down in one frosty February weekend. Most of them have been on my radar forever, and one of them I want to revisit because it screams lazy Stephen King Sunday. However, what I find most appealing about each of them is that I am guaranteed to lose at least a whole day if it’s a match made in hell.
Without further ado, here are the five titles I have my evil eye on this month. Check out my five Netflix picks for this February below! Happy binging to all my fellow couch potatoes!
The Best Movies to Stream on Netflix This Month
Archive 81 (2022)
An archivist finds himself reconstructing the work of a filmmaker and her investigation into a dangerous cult. I missed Archive 81, but have only heard good things about it. Which is why it’s weird it was cancelled after only one season, consisting of eight episodes. The popular show was created by Rebecca Sonnenshine and starred talent like Mamoudou Athie and Matt McGorry. So, I’m long overdue for this Netflix watch and am excited to finally see what all of the fuss is about.
Castle Rock (2018 – 2019)
A series set in the town of Castle Rock and inhabited by characters from some of Stephen King’s most infamous works. This is the only show on this streaming guide that I have already seen. However, it’s very cozy, and I want to go back in. While this divisive series wasn’t for everyone, it scratched my King itch better than most of his adaptations. Also, this cast was ridiculously stacked. Where else can you see André Holland, Melanie Lynskey, Bill Skarsgård, Jane Levy, Sissy Spacek, and Lizzy Caplan all play together? I will definitely be revisiting these twenty episodes that make up these two seasons of what the fuckery.
NOS4A2 (2019-2020)
An immortal who feeds on children is threatened by a young woman with a mysterious gift. This show has circled my list forever, and it’s high time I cross it off my list. I also need to know what Zachary Quinto and Ebon Moss-Bachrach were doing during this era of genre TV for research. I’m ready to run through these twenty episodes and report back on my findings. More importantly, I love to see a show with big “fuck them kids” energy. So, fingers crossed, he eats a few kids to keep me leaned in. I need this to be good for so many reasons.
Peaky Blinders (2013 – 2022)
A mob family in 1900s England sews razor blades in their caps and causes a ruckus. I am so ready to find out how this alleged crime drama collected so many horror fans. Is it just because it stars Cillian Murphy? Or is it very bloody and violent due to the razor blades being a key factor? Whatever the case, I’m excited to see all six seasons on Netflix. I plan to take these thirty-six episodes down like it is my job. I also cannot get over how lucky I have been to avoid all spoilers for the show, and I need to jump on it before someone ruins it for me already.
Reality Z (2020)
When a zombie apocalypse breaks out, a TV studio becomes a shelter for a small band of survivors in Rio de Janeiro. Because of the pandemic, I missed this Brazilian horror show. However, this seems like the kind of international gory zombie situation that I would like to make my new personality. I’m looking forward to seeing if these 10 episodes are one of the few reasons to keep talking to Netflix this year. Fingers crossed it is a scary good time, because we deserve some scares this February.
So, that’s where you can find me this February. Under a weighted blanket, in front of a TV, and eagerly taking advantage of the shows Netflix has collected. Let me know if any of these titles on my list will be your excuse to stay in this winter, too. Although, I am sure many of you will be revisiting your favorite Mike Flanagan Netflix Originals. Meanwhile, I am trying to get into some new (to me) stuff because the winter of our discontent is upon us. I plan to beat the winter of our discontent by being unreasonably comfortable and drowning in genre shows. I advise you to do the same because the weather outside is frightful and we have no place to go.
Movies
The Best Horror You Can Stream on Shudder in February 2026
Shudder is making February a little more frightening with this month of programming. The streamer is adding indie horror that has been stuck in festival purgatory for a couple of years. The app is also getting a few international movies I need to see, a couple of classics, and one of my favorite overlooked Blaxploitation horror gems. So, it should go without saying that I will be very busy this month.
That is why I am sharing my notes with the class now so I can live every day in February like it is Shudder Saturday. Check out my five picks for the month below now and be prepared to see some weird stuff!
The Best Movies to Stream on Shudder This Month
J.D.’s Revenge (1976)
A murdered 1940s gangster possesses a young law student 30 years later to get revenge on his killer. This overlooked piece of cinema stars Glynn Turman and Louis Gossett Jr. I caught it last year, and will still argue that it is at the intersection of Blaxploitation and Shakespearean theatre. The plot is plotting, the drama is over the top, and the players are diabolical. Come to laugh at the outfits and stay for the betrayal and outstanding performances. I am especially grateful that Shudder is getting J.D.’s Revenge this month, so people can see a cleaner copy without ad breaks. It is truly a Black History Month miracle. Get into it while you still can.
You can watch J.D.’s Revenge on February 1st.
Nina Forever (2015)
A suicidal man starts dating a co-worker. However, whenever they have sex his dead girlfriend appears. That premise has my attention, and I will be hitting play on this immediately. I want to watch this dead woman heckle this man and his new girlfriend almost as much as I want anything else in life at the moment. This British horror comedy has my attention, and I hope it is even half as good as I have built it up to be in my head. This is the kind of chaos I expect from Shudder, and I am glad they are one of the few things that I can depend on these days.
You can watch Nina Forever on February 9th.
Kill Your Lover (2024)
A couple’s relationship becomes so toxic that it leads to an acidic battle to the death. Kill Your Lover is a movie that understands the horrors of a bad romance. This movie is sick, this apartment gets dank, and it will remind you that being single is usually for the best. I’m beyond excited to make people watch this now that it is finally on Shudder. After all, how many indie body horror breakup movies will we get in this lifetime? I highly recommend that you watch it with your friends, who should separate and see if it starts an overdue conversation.
You can watch Kill Your Lover on February 9th.
Hood Witch (2024)
A single mother who smuggles exotic animals and illegal goods develops an app that connects users with spiritual healers. However, when someone uses her app and gets deadly results, her community turns on her. Hood Witch is a lot of anxiety seasoned with some “good for her” moments. They take a witch hunt virtual with the use of apps, cellphones, and internet outrage over misinformation. The thought of your internet ops meeting up to hunt you down is enough to make us break out in a cold sweat. This movie was a fine time when I caught it a couple of years ago. I imagine it has only gotten even more timely as it finally makes its way to Shudder.
You can watch Hood Witch on February 16th.
The Last Sacrifice (2024)
The Last Sacrifice examines the real-life 1945 murder that inspired The Wicker Man (1973) and jump-started folk horror as we know it. The alarming witchcraft killing of Charles Walton shook its small community, and this true-crime documentary is here to remind us that this popular cult movie is based on a true unsolved murder. The doc also looks into society’s rabid fascination with true crime. How often do we sensationalize something grizzly to the point of losing the humanity of the subject? This documentary has eluded me for months, and I am looking forward to catching it while it’s on Shudder this month. What a time to be a subscriber!
You can watch The Last Sacrifice on February 16th.
Shudder really has something for every day of the month, and I am living. They really thought of every good little ghoul, and that’s why they’re kinda the best. So, it is only polite that we smash the play button on these wicked goodies and tell our friends to do the same.


