Summary
One of A24’s best horror films,Talk To Me, is terrifying onHereditary-type levels. However, the film’s disturbing events were not the reason that the film was banned in the Middle East.
Not for the faint of heart,the Australian horror moviedives deep into the depressed psychology of teenager Mia (Sophie Wilde). The young girl was still reeling from her mother’s death, who she believed died accidentally from an overdose of pills. Her grief strained her relationship with her father and drove her to seek support in other realms. And there is nothing more supportive than using an embalmed hand to communicate with the dead. What started as a carefree party game turned deadly after Mia became addicted to touching the hand. All the person has to do is say, “Talk to me,” and they will see the visage of a dead person who can possess your body.
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With only a small amount of levity, thesequences of demonic possessionare not the typical horror movie fare. But despite the horror and unsettling sequences of emotional trauma, the resulting ban had to do with the casting of one of the film’s side characters. As confirmed byThe Hollywood Reporter,Talk To Me’s release has been blocked in Kuwait, which has issues with the appearance of trans actor Zoe Terakes. Terakes identifies as nonbinary and transmasculine, which is the reported reason for the ban on the film.
The actor plays the supporting role of Hayley, an instigator in many ofTalk to Me’s events. They have the hand and are why Mia starts toying with unforeseen forces. Hayley is antagonistic for most of the A24 film, disliking Mia for being a loner following her mother’s death. And though a decent part ofTalk to Me’s plot, gender identity is not a focus of the film. The character of Hayley never specifically acknowledges what they identify as. The film does not mention gender whatsoever. Instead, it focused on the souls of one of the partygoers and Mia’s descent into madness.
Though this is the first time the Gulf bas banned a film based on the identity of one of the actors, it is not the first time that highly successful movies have been banned for social politics. Recently,Oppenheimercame under firefor how it used Bhagavad Gita. Marvel Studios’Eternalswas also the subject of discourse after Disney refused to make cuts.
Talk To Memay have some of the most nauseating visuals put to film, including a teenager making out with a dog, but somehow casting a trans actor is a bridge too far. This double standard has a long history in film and is why many brilliant films fail to reach audiences.
