Talk to Me is quite an original Aussie horror film and a very impressive feature film debut from Danny and Michael Philippou who had previously made a name for themselves on YouTube. A variation on the Ouija Board theme (don't play games with the occult or you'll unleash evil things) its also a morality tale about impressionable teenagers making stupid decisions within their peer group.

The Philippou brothers have constructed an adrenaline-filled horror film that goes for the throat and carries you along with millennial energy, on a well-paced journey into hell and back. The cast of young actors give very impressive, naturalistic performances, especially Sophie Wild as Mia and Alexandra Jensen as Jade. Miranda Otto adds some star power as the mum. The bonds of family loyalty are tested to the limits in an attempt to reclaim the soul of a younger sibling. These sorts of films usually involve American teens but the setting in an Aussie family adds a freshness and familiarity that brings the horror home with greater power.

It's interesting how post-Christian society, and even many churches, have moved away from belief in demons, hell etc. But in popular culture fears about such things continue to appear. There seems to be something visceral in our fears about primal evil. Not for the faint of heart, there are some genuinely disturbing sequences. If you're a horror fan, you'll probably love it. If you're not, I suggest you steer clear.