While I firmly support the members of WGA and SAG/AFTRA, I also respect that they should be given recognition – and back ends – on work already in the can. Get those bags, y’all! So without further ado…

“That was…AMAZING!”

Story: Mia is a young woman struggling through both high school and the death of her mother two years ago. So when a viral TikTok challenge catches her eye, she decides to go for it. Problem? Well, this strange “check out how people freak when they contact the spirits through a weird embalmed hand” thing is a lot darker than the seemingly goofy reactions randos have online. Especially when you don’t follow the rules.

Genre I’d put it in: Hard-Hitting Social Media Possession Piece
Release Date: 2023
Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Original: You’ll see this story hark back to stories old and new, but otherwise it’s one of a kind. FOR NOW…

Gotta say: I’ve been fascinated by the trailer for Me ever since it hit the YouTubes. And I’m happy to report that the film itself is even spookier than what we were teased with earlier this year. Me is a serious meditation on grief and loss, a low-key but effectively bloody horror, and a creepy paranormal chiller. That’s a lot to do well, but directors Danny and Michael Philippou, as well as their cast and crew, are able to pull it off. I can’t wait to watch this again during HallowMonth, dragging my whole fam to the TV Cave to get our spooky on. Me is going into the Comfort Food Horror shelf for me, for certain. Y’know, those horror films you love to watch multiple times because they’re so good, and then they just become ones you reach for over and over again, because they’ve dug into your soul? Yeah, that shelf.

From the shocking opening scene that sets the stage for Mia et al., to the final look at what’s come to pass, Me grabbed my heart and didn’t let go. A lot of that is thanks to the incredible performances by Sophie Wilde as Mia, as well as Mia’s immediate friend circle. Wilde is able to deliver so much emotional depth with a single look, physical tic, or vocal inflection. She’s a powerful talent, and I can’t wait to see this relative newcomer in more stuff.

The “teen” cast as a whole has powerful chops; they’re all able to go from “regular ol’ teens” to completely possessed, to various levels of terrified and more, all the while making it look easy. Special shout-outs to Joe Bird as Riley, Mia’s young friend/BFF Jade’s younger brother, and Otis Dhanji as Daniel, Mia’s ex and Jade’s current BF. These two guys do such an incredible job during their “talk to me” sessions, it feels almost invasive, like what they’re going through is too much to simply observe. Oh, and Zoe Terakes as Hayley, their school’s resident badass who finally gets it, and freaks? There’s just something about Terakes’ performance, and how they pull off smarmy and shaken. There’s a panicked twitchiness they deliver that’s…chef’s kiss.

While I wouldn’t say this is the goriest film I’ve ever seen, the practical and visual effects are pack a punch. The blood is used sparingly, but when it’s onscreen? Oh boy, it’s effective. In fact, one character has a particularly violent reaction to connecting with the spirit world, and it’s done in a way that goes from “oh no, no no no” to “OH MY GOD WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING” in seconds. All the while, the FX are so realistic it’ll twist your stomach. And all the characters who have interactions with the spirits/demons/whatever they are? They’re not instantly fine in the next scene. And honey, I love well done continuity FX.

While Me is excellent, it’s not The Perfect Film. There are moments where even this finely crafted story gets a bit light-handed with character development and basic exposition. (I’d have loved a bit more time exploring the strained bond between Mia and her dad, for one. And the “love triangle” feels tacked on for no particular purpose besides an idea of Teens Being Teens, I guess?) But otherwise, I love the way the characters all feel lived-in. Perhaps that’s thanks to the directors listening to the performers, and incorporating those ideas. There are so many cast members listed as writers for Me, so I can only assume there was a lot of true creation going on behind the scenes. And it shows in the finished film.

Me is yet another A24 horror that folks will point to and say “yeah, see? A24 makes really cool horror.” It takes its place with their horror catalogue, and would make a wonderful double feature with their straight-up horror films like Midsommar, X, Tusk, and The Witch. But for now? If you’re longing for a film that’ll shake you up, and break your heart in equal measure? Get thee to the multiplex.

#Protip: You want my thoughts on what happened at the end of the film? Y’know, after you’ve seen it, because you don’t want to ruin the ending for yourself…but you do want to know what I think happened? That’s damn nice of you to ask. Well, click on this hear linky and then use the password GIMME. Warning, spoilers. I mean, obviously.