Movies
The Ending of ‘Talk To Me’ Explained
A24’s Talk To Me chronicles the story of 17-year-old Mia, played by Sophie Wilde, whose desperation for genuine connection makes her a dangerous candidate for possession. The possession is voluntary and happens to anyone who grabs the movie’s signature embalmed Hand before a lit candle and recites two incantations. The first is “Talk to me,” which summons a spirit for the person holding the Hand to see. Lastly, “I let you in” grants the spirit permission to enter the person’s body for 90 seconds. Any longer, and the spirit may become too attached: a lesson Mia unfortunately learns in the worst way possible. Spoiler’s ahead.
According to the kids in the movie, the mysterious hand once belonged to a medium, who had their hand severed and then embalmed. It’s now used to conjure spirits.
The Talk To Me Game Explained
The film opens with a party going off the rails when a disturbed young man stabs his brother and himself (in the face) in front of everyone. Before learning their place in the story, we meet Mia and the people in her life, including her best friend’s younger brother Riley (Joe Bird), a good kid. While Mia’s driving Riley down a country road late at night, the two encounter a severely injured kangaroo on the road. Mia’s left with the decision to either put the kangaroo out of its misery or leave it to suffer. She cannot kill it, so she chooses option two.
Mia’s best friend and Riley’s older sister, Jade (Alexandra Jensen), go to a party. Mia’s been struggling to cope with losing her mother, Rhea (Alexandria Steffensen), so she jumps at the first chance for a cheap thrill at the party: the Hand. Whatever spirit possessed Mia wantingly fixated on Riley, likely because it could control younger vessels more easily.
Letting go of the Hand and blowing out the candle ends the possession, but everyone around Mia fails to do that within the 90-second window. Despite this, she loved the experience and didn’t seem possessed after they removed the spirit from her. At this point, the film’s message of codependency and maladaptive coping mechanisms for grief becomes clear. The possession via supernatural spirits is not unlike the experience of drinking liquor (also referred to as spirits) or taking other substances. The camera angle when the teenagers are lighting the candle is reminiscent of “lighting up” certain other substances, as another example.
Riley’s Overdose
Everyone continues playing with the Hand night after night, and Mia loses herself in the good times until the night of Riley’s first possession. Riley’s not taking well to being possessed, but Mia prolongs it because she believes the spirit is Rhea’s. Mia’s grief has been so unbearable that she’s risking her friend’s well-being just for a chance to talk to her mother again.
Whatever Riley lets in nearly kills him by throwing his body around the room. The scene seems to be a gruesome reminder of the bodily, mental, and spiritual harm overdosing poses to anyone using mind-altering substances and those around them.
Riley’s family casts Mia out because they blame her for what happened to him, inadvertently contributing to her downward spiral. Even worse, she’s stolen the Hand and continues using it mostly privately. She believes the ghost she’s connecting to is her mother, despite clues seemingly pointing to the contrary.
Desperate for connection, Mia uses the Hand alone for a chance to see her deceased mother one more time.
Why Did the Struck Kangaroo Return?
What appears to be Rhea’s ghost convinces Mia that Riley’s soul is being tortured in limbo and instructs her to free the boy by killing him. The spirit tricks Mia into stabbing her father in the neck with scissors before she heads to the hospital.
While Mia’s working up the courage at Riley’s bedside to do the evil deed, she sees the kangaroo they saw on the road earlier in the film. The vision reads like an eerie goading from beyond their physical world to put the boy out of his misery.
Mia puts Riley in a wheelchair and kidnaps him from the hospital, taking him to the side of a busy highway. She intends to push him into oncoming traffic until she realizes Rhea’s ghost is a spirit posing as her mother. It possesses Mia, and she ends up severely injured on the road like the kangaroo. However, Mia’s death isn’t the end of her misery.
Mia’s Nightmare Becomes Reality
Mia’s a ghost but doesn’t realize it, so she tries without success in the hospital to talk to those around her. How did she end up here? I imagine Mia was still alive after getting struck on the highway, and she died while the medical support team fought to save her.
Mia can’t see her reflection in a mirror, which is her recurring nightmare made real. Next, Mia finds herself in complete darkness until a faint light appears. A new group of kids is playing with the Hand and Mia’s become part of the game.
Some questions remain, but a Talk To Me sequel is in the works, so we’ll likely understand more about the creepy Hand and its obscure origins soon.
You can watch Talk To Me on VOD or purchase the Blu-ray starting October 3rd, 2023.
December is a time for family problems, and that is why I am here with a streaming guide filled with ghoulies goodies that understands the assignment. One thing Netflix excels at is genre movies that put families front and center. Whether they are fighting ghosts, trying to survive hectic circumstances, or trying to kill each other, these movies will make you happy that you put a cap on family time this holiday season. So, grab some leftovers and get ready to hit play on some wild film suggestions. Let us end this year with a bang (or five)!
The Best Movies to Stream on Netflix This Month
Before I Wake (2016)
A couple adopts a child whose dreams and nightmares manifest in the real world. I was late to check out this Mike Flanagan film on Netflix. To be honest, I mostly hit play because of the cast. I needed to see what Kate Bosworth, Thomas Jane, and Jacob Tremblay were doing with my own eyes. While it’s not my favorite movie on the list, I love that it reminds us that even adopted parents can be the worst. This lady really almost put this kid at risk, and we don’t talk about that enough as a society. I’m putting her in bad mother (and guardian) jail immediately. Aside from that, the movie does have some sick imagery despite its meager budget.
Cobweb (2023)
A young boy investigates knocking sounds in the walls of his house and discovers a dark family secret. I ran at this movie because it was directed by Samuel Bodin (Marianne). Lizzy Caplan, Antony Starr, and Cleopatra Coleman being in the cast was the cherry on top of the eerie sundae. Cobweb is like a waking fairytale nightmare. It’s gorgeous, creepy, and unsettling in all the right ways. It also has one of Lizzy Caplan’s top-tier performances, and I live every time I rewatch it. If this wasn’t on your holiday watchlist, it should be. Ignore the autumn vibes and get into the sickening scenery. Make sure you watch it while it is on Netflix. You will thank me later.
The Haunting of Hill House (2018)
A fractured family must face their chilling past in a haunted home they fled from. They soon discover they are still in danger from the things they have avoided dealing with all of these years later. Overall, this was a great show, even if the ending pissed me off. It proved that Mike Flanagan understands family drama and that his audience craves it. The series gave us ghosts, twists and turns, and a lot to talk about. So, if you are looking for a binge this December, it is one of the best ones on Netflix. Between the family drama and The Bent-Neck Lady reveal, this is a pretty awesome way to spend a holiday. Come for the stellar cast and stay for all the ghosts hiding in the background of scenes.
Nowhere (2023)
A pregnant woman escapes from a country at war and hides in a container aboard a cargo ship. When she gives birth after a dangerous storm, she must fight the harrowing conditions for the survival of her and her newborn. I’m not one for pregnancy horror, but I could not resist hitting play on this because I do like a survival horror/thriller. This was a weirdly fun Netflix find, and I suggest it if you want a little adrenaline this holiday season. It also features an outstanding performance from Anna Castillo as Mia. She deserved awards and more attention for her work. So, if you are looking for something popular but very different than the other recs on this list, this might be your girl.
Under the Shadow (2016)
A mother and daughter trying to survive war-torn Tehran of the 1980s discover an evil entity is haunting their home. Under the Shadow is creepy, educational, and severely underappreciated. It has amazing performances, gorgeous cinematography, and immaculately disturbing vibes. If you liked The Others (2001), then think of this as its very distant and cool cousin. I would even recommend doing them as a double feature because I am a professional couch potato with a vision. If you have not watched this Netflix gem yet, the holidays are a good time to fix that. If you have, then maybe revisit and make a friend watch along with you. After all, unsettling movies are the gift that keeps on giving.
So, these Netflix movies are how I plan to spend this December. Let me know if any of these also make it onto your holiday watch list. Or if you have a completely different list of family forward genre movies awaiting you this month. I am so serious because I am really nosy. Happy Holidays to you, your TV, and your favorite snacks. I am proud of you for making time for Netflix this holiday season, friends.
Halloween season is over, and many streamers have forgotten about us horror kids. While they take their 11-month hiatus from the genre, we can be grateful that we still have an app that cares. We are so lucky that Shudder remains that girl year-round. Whether you’re finishing their new original show Guts & Glory, catching up on The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula: Titans, or running at some of their deep cuts like I am, Shudder has your best interests at heart. As usual, she has quite a few titles fighting for our attention. Which is why I am here with five titles I think should be at the top of all of our watch lists this November. So, cancel your holiday plans and pick up your remote because we have got horrifying things to watch.
The Best Movies to Stream on Shudder This Month
Habit (1995)
An alcoholic unwittingly enters into a relationship with a succubus in New York City. If you ever wondered what Larry Fessenden was getting up to in his youth, you need to see this ’90s gem. I lucked out and caught it at Brooklyn Horror Film Festival last year, and I lived my best life. While watching it on the small screen will not be the same, I plan to hit play anyway. Mostly because I love to see 1990s succubi leaving their mark on men…and also the horror genre. Shudder is also adding The Last Winter and Depraved, so we can spend a whole day with Uncle Larry’s work.
Sew Torn (2024)
A seamstress happens upon a failed drug deal and steals a briefcase. She soon finds herself caught in a deadly situation where all roads lead to death. I caught Sew Torn at SXSW last year and have been wondering what happened to it. So, I am very happy this odd little bird has found her way to Shudder. I cannot wait to make my friends who are looking for something cute and deadly watch. I knew nothing when I hit play on this, and I encourage you to know as little as possible, too. I fear I have already written too much in this blurb to be completely honest.
You can watch Sew Torn on November 1st.
The Retreat (2021)
A couple goes on a pre-wedding retreat and unwittingly becomes targets of a group of serial killers. We have seen too many movies about retreats, and I thought this one would be more of the same. This title does not completely reinvent the wheel, but it does set itself apart within this oversaturated subgenre. The Retreat is a surprisingly fun and tense little thriller that feels made for the winter watches. Come for the lesbian characters leading the film, and stay for the violence. I also encourage you to check it out while it is on Shudder, because it is usually on apps with ads.
You can watch The Retreat on November 1st.
The Creep Tapes (Season 2)
Peachfuzz returns with more tapes, chaos, kills, and WTF moments. Mark Duplass and Patrick Brice have reentered the TV arena and are making things weird again. If award shows were real, this duo would be leading the Emmys charge. I saw the first three episodes, and Josef/Peachfuzz is still the serial killer after our own hearts. Our Wolfie is still cutting up (literally and figuratively) in the most amazing ways. Guest stars in danger this season include David Dastmalchian (Late Night with the Devil), Katie Aselton (The League), and Robert Longstreet (The Haunting of Hill House).
You can watch The Creep Tapes (Season 2) on November 14th.
Krampus (2015)
A kid accidentally summons demons during the holidays in this horror comedy. Krampus remains one of the top-tier Christmas horror titles for me. It is also my favorite Michael Dougherty film. Not only because it has the star power of Adam Scott and Toni Collette, either. This movie is wicked, and even the kids are in danger. I do not have many holiday horror movies I revisit every year, but Krampus is one of the very few. It still holds up, and I cannot wait to rewatch it with a festively boozy beverage.
You can watch Krampus on November 15th.
Those are a few reasons I am grateful for Shudder this holiday season. While the rest of you are fighting with your family and friends, I will be parked in front of my TV. You can have your turkey because I would rather gorge myself on episodes of The Creep Tapes anyway.
Let me know what Shudder shenanigans you have got your little eye on. I am nosy and want to make sure I am not missing anything on my favorite streamer.
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