You might be wondering why the hell this movie doesn’t create a specific buzz online. Or why did it come so late?
That’s not the problem. ‘Talk to Me’ is receiving a lot of praise on the festival circuit this year, so it didn’t exactly appear out of nowhere. However, it did manage to perform better than anticipated. One major factor that determines a movie’s success in the rapidly changing film industry is its marketing, and that’s what A24 is so strong about.
As the saying goes, when you don’t have a big budget, make a big noise.
Though it may not live up to Barbenheimer’s reputation, Talk to Me is a dark, eerie, and fantastic film. Based on word-of-mouth and a $10 million opening weekend, it is poised to become the silent sleeper hit of the year.
The Plot
The film grabs our attention in the opening scenes. Sophie Wilde’s character Mia (who recently lost her mother) is followed as she attends unique parties hosted by characters Hayley (Zoe Terakes) and Joss (Chris Alosio). These gatherings are centered around a paranormal game in which the object of the game is an embalmed, inscribed hand that can possess any random spirit in the hand of the player. Holding the hand for longer than ninety seconds is forbidden, as this allows the possessed to become the permanent home of the spirit. These get-togethers happen repeatedly and soon reach a sinister conclusion. The children understand how to let themselves into other worlds, but they do not know how to close them.
Afterthought
Did it really make a buzz here in the Philippines? I don’t think so. But surely, A24 has its ways.
Talk to Me’s attraction to many horror enthusiasts stems from precisely the same reasons you might find it objectionable. It hurts in places you didn’t know you could feel, but the benefits outweigh the discomfort, much like extremely spicy food.
A24’s Struggle To Win Is A Marketing Strat
Their Budget Was Low
The buzzy horror film from A24 only cost $4.5 million to make (before marketing). You’re looking at a movie that didn’t need to earn nearly as much money, even with a great marketing campaign. “Talk to Me” should perform admirably in the end, especially as it expands into other international markets, even if there is a significant decline in its first weekend of sales. Well, minimal risk, maximum gain.
The Trailer Was Great
You simply can’t underestimate the power of a great trailer.
It’s not surprising to discover that nearly every successful film in the past had an amazing trailer that drew people in and made them want to see the film for themselves. Even uninterested moviegoers could tell from the excellent trailer for “Talk to Me” that this was a film worth seeing. Although this film had a nice poster as well, the trailer is the most important part of any marketing campaign and is what will most likely draw viewers in. Here, it was successful.
The Reviews Were Gigantic
Not every movie with great reviews finds success, but it certainly never hurts anything. Talk to Me gains a lot from significant buzz. On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie currently has an amazing 95% approval rating from critics and an excellent 83% audience rating. Additionally, it received a B+ CinemaScore, which is good considering that horror movies typically receive lower scores than, say, a family-friendly blockbuster like “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” The important thing to remember is that all indications from both critics and audiences are positive and point to more than decent word of mouth.
The Horror Genre Sets The Bar High
Horror has been cinema’s most reliable genre since the pandemic began. We’re so done with superhero tropes that it gives us anything but ordinary compared to the horror genre.
In any case, over the past few years, horror has continued to win with very few misses. However, when they do, they land a big one. Just consider how much money Parker Finn’s “Smile” brought in last year, despite only having a $17 million budget. “M3GAN” made $179 million this year compared to a budget of $12 million. These are just a few instances, but it appears that “Talk to Me” is going to be another one of the many post-pandemic horror hits that are currently supporting the industry.
CONCLUSION
With an emphasis on unconventional storytelling and cutting-edge material, A24’s Talk To Me has captured the attention of viewers all over the world and carved out a special place for itself in the cutthroat movie industry. Using captivating teasers and trailers to pique viewers’ interest and make them eager to learn the films’ main plot points is one such strategy. These teasers frequently feature mysterious images and mysterious dialogue excerpts, allowing viewers to speculate about and analyze their possible meaning. A24 encourages viewers to actively interact with the marketing materials by creating a sense of mystery and intrigue, which creates buzz that goes beyond conventional advertising.
It’s a “word of mouth” product here in our country, but you know it’s more than just that.
