'Talk to Me' is modern horror movie possessed by unflinching gore of 1970s slasher films

There is much to admire in “Talk to Me,” the feature debut of Australian twins Danny and Michael Philippou.

It’s a horror movie that is actually scary; it’s got a good idea that feels both relevant and contemporary; and it’s really gross. (That’s a plus — it is a horror movie, after all. Sometimes they skimp.)

I just wish I understood its logic a little better.

The Philippous have a popular YouTube channel, RackaRacka, with more than 6.7 million subscribers. Evidently, it served them well — the direction of the film is first-rate, without resorting to cliches. The opening scene, an epilogue that sets the unhinged tone, is an example.

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What is 'Talk to Me' about?

A tracking shot follows a young man into a raging party, where his brother is locked in a bedroom. He begs him to come out and breaks down the door when he won’t. This turns out to be an unwise decision — but man, what a boffo horror blowout scene.

Then we meet Mia (Sophie Wilde), on the anniversary of her mother’s death, possibly by suicide. She’s distanced from her father, Max (Marcus Johnson), so she all but lives with her friend Jade (Alexandra Jensen), her brother, Riley (Joe Bird), and their acid-tongued mom, Sue (Miranda Otto, outstanding — like she was in “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina”).

The kids sneak out one night and go to a decidedly weird party. The main attraction is a seance, conducted by some friends. They’ve gone viral, and how could they not? One of them has obtained what is said to be the embalmed hand of a powerful medium, encased in plaster. The gist is that you grab the hand, say, “Talk to me,” and you immediately see a dead person in front of you.

Then you invite the dead person “in” — as in, in you, to possess you. A candle opens the door. Blowing it out closes it. And you have to close it before 90 seconds, or bad things happen, which of course means that someone’s going to be possessed for longer than 90 seconds.

To repeat: It is a horror movie, after all.

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'Talk to Me' is good, creepy fun

It’s all good, if creepy, fun. There’s something genuine in the gleeful squirming and laughing among everyone watching the possessions. (As long as you mind the 90-second deadline, you’re no worse for wear afterward.)

Then one possession goes wrong. Horribly, horribly, gut-wrenchingly wrong. The Philippous’ direction in this scene tops the prologue — it is searing and unflinching, reminiscent of those unflinching ’70s slasher films.

One character winds up in a coma in a hospital; soon, Mia — she broke the 90-second barrier — is seeing spirits, including her mother, Rhea (Alexandria Staffensen), who has information about a lot of things — her death, and what’s going on with Mia’s injured friend.

This is all quite good. Mia practically vibrates with a sense of dread. But the resolution requires a few leaps I couldn’t quite make. Of course, there’s always the possibility that just because I was left scratching my head, it’ll make perfect sense to you.

Whatever the case, the Philippous coach winning performances from the cast, particularly Wilde and Bird. They just seem so natural, so real — not unlike the cast of “It Follows,” one of the seminal horror films of the century.

This isn’t that. But “Talk to Me” is a promising debut for the Philippous, and a pretty good scare to boot.

'Talk to Me' 3.5 stars

Directors: Danny and Michael Phillippou.

Great ★★★★★ Good ★★★★

Fair ★★★ Bad ★★ Bomb ★

Cast: Sophie Wilde, Joe Bird, Alexandra Jensen.

Rating: R for strong/bloody violent content, some sexual material and language throughout.

How to watch: In theaters Friday, July 28.

Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. Twitter: @goodyk.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 'Talk to Me' movie review: Philippou brothers scare and confuse