Talk To Me: The Scene That Almost Was Even Worse

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Mild SPOILERS are ahead for Talk To Me, now streaming with a Netflix subscription.

Approaching two years now since “Talk To Me” graced the big screen, I must confess it still ranks among the most terrifying horror films in recent memory. Interestingly, this chilling masterpiece by the Philippou Brothers has recently become accessible for streaming on Netflix and even managed to break into their Top 10 list. This suggests a large number of viewers have been subjected to the dread that is “Talk To Me” on Netflix.

I’m really interested to know how many people might have turned off the movie at that intense scene if they saw it initially at home. Frankly, it was way too much for me, and I just found out that the filmmakers initially intended it to be even more gruesome. So, let’s dive into the discussion:

I’m A Big Horror Fan, But Talk To Me’s Possession Scene Went Too Far, In My Opinion

Instead of the terrifying dog kiss scene, what I’m really talking about is when Joe Bird’s character, Riley, gets possessed after shaking a mysterious hand in the movie. The ensuing events were incredibly gruesome and disquieting. What particularly disturbed me was witnessing a 13-year-old child inflicting harm upon himself repeatedly, reaching a point where he attempted to remove his own eyeball and fracture his skull. This was especially unsettling because it felt distressingly realistic.

The filmmakers undeniably achieved their goal of creating a frightening movie, yet for me, it crossed a line and became unenjoyable altogether. Frankly, I wished I could leave the cinema at that moment, but in retrospect, I’m glad I endured it to witness the chilling, ingenious finale of “Talk To Me“.

And, Per The Filmmakers It Was Almost Even More Violent

In an interview with Business Insider, the directors shared insights on the particular scene, leaving me astounded as they revealed it could have been pushed even more towards the extreme limits. To quote Michael Philippou, “the scene could have gone further in terms of extremes.

On the filming location, during the scene setup process, it took more time than expected. However, this wasn’t due to leisurely deliberation; instead, we were in a continuous discussion about not making it excessively graphic or unnecessary. Our aim was to make that moment powerful and long enough to create an impact, but not overstay its welcome.

They were aware of a boundary they shouldn’t cross, but honestly, I couldn’t have endured any longer than the duration of that scene as it was. Co-Director Danny Philippou stated this during his 2023 interview.

In a scene on the film set, it became apparent that his behavior was becoming increasingly extreme. Initially, we observed him acting bizarrely, and as things progressed, we noticed him deteriorating. We collectively thought, “This is going too far,” as it seemed unbelievable.

I was astonished to discover that the climactic scene was a watered-down variant, but learning that Joe Bird, the actor, was enthusiastic about performing it and even chuckled during takes because he found it so unsettling, made me feel better. Additionally, it was intriguing to note that the directors also softened another sequence to emphasize this one’s impact. As Danny went on…

A significant aspect in the script was that the initial play with Mia advanced more, and some incredibly intense events transpired during this. However, it seemed to diminish the impact of the subsequent play with Riley, making it seem implausible for the children to repeatedly engage in such actions.

Undeniably, it’s been praised as one of A24’s top films due to the directors’ bold approach in delivering frightening moments for viewers. However, wow, that particular scene is quite challenging to watch, and interestingly, it’s one of just two particularly intense scenes involving Riley.

I Do Admire How The Scene Was Shot Practically Because That Definitely Made It As Effective As It Is

As a movie enthusiast, let me share my thoughts on the chilling scene from “Talk To Me.” Admittedly, it sent shivers down my spine, and I’m guessing that was the intention – to evoke genuine fear. What made this sequence particularly unsettling was its practicality, a testament to the filmmakers’ craftsmanship. They meticulously constructed a prosthetic face on top of Joe Bird’s own visage, achieving an uncanny realism that left me breathless. In essence, I can echo Danny’s sentiments: it was a scene that left me genuinely terrified, but one that I can wholeheartedly appreciate for its technical prowess.

At a particular perspective, it was hard to discern that it was merely an additional facial feature. In reality, he was extending and withdrawing a false eye from a functional prosthetic head.

Though I doubt I’ll ever re-watch this movie, and frankly, I’m quite apprehensive about the filmmakers’ future project titled “Bring Her Back“, it was intriguing to delve into the behind-the-scenes of the scene. Honestly, I’m praying that the upcoming horror films won’t surpass this particular scene in terms of intensity for a while.

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2025-04-07 23:07