Netflix is Now Streaming the Scariest Horror Movie of 2023: “It grabs hold of you by the wrist and refuses to let go”
There are some years where I’d be hard-pressed to pinpoint just one film as the scariest released within. With 2023, however, I have no such reservations. For me (and for quite a few of my peers), Talk to Me is the most terrifying feature released in 2023. It is fast-paced, unpredictable, and properly frightening from the jump. With all of that in mind, you may be pleased to learn that Talk to Me is presently streaming on Netflix.
If you’re curious as to why I label the film the most unnerving offering of 2023, there are several reasons for that. Talk to Me is visually imposing thanks to the frequent use of low light and persistent blue hues that pair nicely with the recurring themes of isolation and grief. That combination gives the film an imposing look from the get-go, perfectly complementing the picture’s decidedly dark narrative.
Talk to Me puts viewers through the wringer, following Mia (Sophie Wilde) as she struggles to cope with the aftermath of her mother’s untimely death. The film paints young Mia as a lead character who will stop at nothing in her quest for connection. She’s broken and desperate to the point where she jeopardizes relationships with her surviving loved ones in an attempt to reconnect (on any level) with her late mother. A grief-stricken Mia throws caution to the wind, repeatedly using a dangerous supernatural conduit (a severed hand) with unpredictable results that put her in grave danger.
Wilde’s strong performance, paired with a smart script by brothers Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou (who co-directed Talk to Me in addition to writing), makes her character resonate. Mia’s status as a grieving, vulnerable character gives us ample reason to relate, encouraging us to invest in the title fresh on Netflix.
Investing in Mia, however, becomes increasingly unnerving as her arc unfolds. We watch as she systematically self-destructs, pulling those closest to her into her downward spiral. Not to mention, plenty of carnage and all sorts of supernatural shenanigans are on display throughout.
Dread’s editor Josh Korngut called the horror movie “freshingly low-concept and surprisingly scary” in his review of the film out of its Sundance Film Festival world premiere. Adding “‘Talk to Me’ grabs hold of you by the wrist and refuses to let go. It’s a nasty, mean-spirited good time from start to finish.” Check out his four-star review here.
Now that I’ve made my case as to why Talk to Me is the scariest film of 2023, perhaps you’d like to seek it out for yourself to see if you have a similar reaction. If you’re game, you can do just that by making your way over to Netflix, where the flick is presently streaming.
Stay tuned to Dread Central for more updates from the streaming scene in the near future. Until then, if you’d like to keep up with my comings and goings, you can find me on Threads as @FunWithHorror.
Categorized: News
