Talk to Me (2023)

Kernel Score: 78% · 3,613 ratings · Rated R

Genres: Horror

Released: 2023-07-26

Runtime: 95 minutes

Is Talk to Me worth watching?

Worth watching. Teenagers pass around an embalmed hand to talk to the dead, and it goes badly wrong. This is a tense, well-acted horror with real emotion behind the scares. A strong first feature.

Watch it if you

  • like modern supernatural horror
  • want scares that come with emotional weight
  • enjoy friend-group stories gone wrong

Skip it if you

  • can't handle intense or disturbing scenes
  • want a light, fun scary movie

Best for: Scary movie night

Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.

Where to watch Talk to Me

US availability, updated 2026-10-23.

Overview

When a group of friends discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand, they become hooked on the new thrill, until one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces.

Talk to Me parents' guide: ages 15+

Parents need to know that Talk to Me is an intense R-rated horror film involving addiction, self-harm, and supernatural possession among teens.

  • Violence & scariness: Strong — R-rated supernatural horror featuring possession, self-mutilation, and disturbing deaths.
  • Drinking, drugs & smoking: Moderate — Keywords reference addiction as the teens become hooked on the dangerous supernatural thrill, echoing drug-use themes.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

Movies like Talk to Me

If you liked Talk to Me, these are the movies we'd watch next.

  • Bring Her Back (2025) — 83%: Same directors' follow-up, with grief driving the horror.
  • Hereditary (2018) — 84%: Family and grief turn into slow-building supernatural dread.
  • The Conjuring (2013) — 90%: Classic-style haunting built on tension rather than gore.
  • Poltergeist (1982) — 80%: Supernatural scares that target a family.
  • Sinners (2025) — 97%: Inventive, confident modern horror with emotional stakes.
  • Rosemary's Baby (1968) — 88%: Slow, eerie classic about evil creeping in.

Director

Michael Philippou

Cast

  • Sophie Wilde as Mia
  • Alexandra Jensen as Jade
  • Joe Bird as Riley
  • Otis Dhanji as Daniel
  • Miranda Otto as Sue
  • Zoe Terakes as Hayley
  • Chris Alosio as Joss
  • Marcus Johnson as Max
  • Alexandria Steffensen as Rhea
  • Ari McCarthy as Cole

Talk to Me FAQ

Is Talk to Me worth watching?

Worth watching. Teenagers pass around an embalmed hand to talk to the dead, and it goes badly wrong. This is a tense, well-acted horror with real emotion behind the scares. A strong first feature.

Where can I watch Talk to Me?

In the US you can stream Talk to Me on HBO Max, watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Hoopla, The Roku Channel, Fandango at Home and Plex and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.

Is Talk to Me OK for kids?

Talk to Me is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Talk to Me is an intense R-rated horror film involving addiction, self-harm, and supernatural possession among teens.

What movies are like Talk to Me?

If you liked Talk to Me, try Bring Her Back, Hereditary, The Conjuring and Poltergeist.