Talk to Me: A Chilling Look at Social Media, Addiction, and Grief in Adolescence

By Amaal Bhaloo, Contributing Author

Synopsis

In the movie Talk to Me (2023), directed by Michael and Danny Philippou, a group of teenagers stumble upon an embalmed hand that allows them to communicate with spirits. What begins as a party trick quickly spirals into something far more sinister. As the teens push boundaries, the consequences become increasingly dangerous, yet the allure of the experience keeps them coming back for more. Beyond its supernatural horror, Talk to Me offers a raw and unsettling look at modern adolescence, touching on themes of social media influence, addiction, and grief. 

The Social Media Lens: Filming for Entertainment 

The film captures a harsh reality of modern teen culture: the compulsion to film everything, often prioritizing digital validation over real-world consequences. The séance-like ritual with the hand becomes a form of entertainment, recorded and shared to boost social status. Instead of intervening when things go wrong, the teens continue filming—laughing, egging each other on, and treating danger as content. 

A clear example of this occurs when Mia first agrees to participate. The moment she sits down, phones come out, flashes go off, and her possession is instantly documented. Within seconds, she begins choking as the spirit takes hold of her, yet instead of stopping the ritual, the ringleaders, Hayley and Joss, encourage everyone to "hold it," reinforcing the idea that the spectacle is more important than her well-being. Only Jade voices concern, but Mia ultimately pulls through, further validating the group’s reckless behavior. 

Another moment showcasing this disturbing trend is when Daniel tries the hand at Jade’s house. During his possession, he ends up making out with the family dog—a deeply embarrassing moment. Hayley and Joss gleefully record the incident, and when Daniel regains control, he immediately asks them to delete the video. They refuse, leaving him vulnerable to ridicule or potential blackmail. This highlights the insidious power of social media as a tool for coercion and peer pressure—participation in these trends isn't just about the experience itself but about the lasting digital footprint that can be used against someone later. 

Social media has transformed peer pressure into something inescapable; it’s not just about being there in the moment but having evidence of participation, which can be leveraged for status, control, or even humiliation. Talk to Me starkly illustrates how digital culture intensifies risk-taking behavior among teens, making it harder for them to escape the pressures of their social circles. 

Addiction and the Rush of Risk-Taking 

Much like substance use or thrill-seeking behavior, the hand in Talk to Me provides an intoxicating rush. The more they use it, the harder it is to stop. The ritual isn't just thrilling—it becomes compulsive. Mia describes her experience with the hand as “felt amazing, felt like I was glowing, I could hear and see and feel everything, but I was in the passenger seat, it felt incredible”—a statement similar to the sensations reported in substance use, where giving up control and losing oneself becomes part of the appeal. 

The film further reinforces this connection through a montage scene where the teens excitedly take turns “hitting” the hand, reveling in the high it provides. Joss even exclaims, “this shit never gets old,” mirroring the way individuals struggling with substance use chase repeated highs despite the risks. Initially, the group sets a strict rule: no more than 90 seconds per possession. But as their obsession deepens, they begin to push boundaries—first going past the time limit with Mia, then even longer with Riley, escalating the danger. 

Like many adolescents struggling with substance use, the teens also engage in secrecy. They never tell their parents about the hand, always keeping it hidden in their backpacks. Even after Riley’s horrific incident, Joss and Hayley—the suppliers of the hand—are seen plotting how they’re going to distance themselves from the situation, much like dealers trying to avoid the fallout of a drug deal gone wrong, rather than tell Riley’s mom the truth. 

The film highlights the psychology of addiction: even when the consequences are clear, the pull remains stronger than reason. The teens convince themselves they are in control, all while being drawn deeper into a cycle of risk-taking, secrecy, and escalating harm. 

Grief as a Gateway to Vulnerability 

Mia, the film’s protagonist, is mourning the loss of her mother. Her unresolved grief makes her more susceptible to the hand’s appeal, as she seeks connection in the spirit world. Instead of turning to her father or friends for support, she isolates herself, growing increasingly distant from her father and avoiding meaningful communication with him. Her fear of being alone is a recurring theme—she frequently expresses her deep anxiety about loneliness, even having a nightmare where she looks in the mirror and sees no reflection, symbolizing the unbearable emptiness she feels.  

This emotional vulnerability makes Mia especially drawn to the hand, not just for the thrill but for a perceived sense of connection. After her deceased mother’s spirit seemingly possesses Riley during the ritual, Mia becomes obsessed. Despite the horrifying consequences of Riley’s experience, she secretly takes the hand home and continues using it alone, desperate to see and speak with her mother again. Even as the spirit of her mother appears as a rotting corpse, Mia remains entranced, clinging to the illusion of her mother’s presence. The spirit—manipulative and increasingly grotesque—pushes Mia to more dangerous and disturbing actions, exploiting her grief and isolation. 

In Psychiatry, we often see how grief and emotional pain make adolescents more vulnerable to risky behaviors, whether through substance use, reckless peer relationships, or digital escapism. Mia’s experience is a stark reminder of how unresolved trauma can drive teens to dangerous coping mechanisms when they feel alone. Rather than processing her grief in a healthy way, Mia seeks comfort in a force that ultimately harms her, much like how adolescents may turn to self-destructive habits in their search for relief from emotional pain. 

Conclusion 

The film serves as a haunting metaphor for modern adolescence, where social media amplifies peer pressure, risky behaviors become addictive, and grief can push teens into isolating themselves rather than seeking help. These themes are highly relevant to Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, reinforcing the need for open conversations about social media, substance use, and emotional vulnerability in teens. 

A sequel could explore how the embalmed hand spreads, much like a viral internet challenge, with different groups—or even younger kids—getting access to it, leading to even more devastating consequences. But an even more compelling direction could be Mia’s redemption story. 

At the end of Talk to Me, Mia is trapped on the other side of the hand, now one of the spirits being summoned by the living. The sequel could follow her struggle to fight her way through the supernatural world, trying to break free from the cycle of possession and return to the living. This journey could parallel real-life struggles with grief and addiction—Mia would have to confront her emotional pain, let go of her dependence on the hand, and find the motivation to live again. 

Rather than succumbing to despair, Mia’s arc could become one of resilience and healing, showing that even after deep loss and self-destruction, recovery is possible. It would be a unique blend of supernatural horror and psychological exploration, turning the sequel into a battle for her soul—one that mirrors the real-world fight to escape the grips of trauma and addiction.