The Hand Is Back: 5 Insane Updates On The 'Talk To Me' Sequel And New A24 Horror From The Philippou Brothers

The demonic porcelain hand that launched a thousand nightmares is officially returning, but horror fans need to brace themselves for a long wait. As of December 2025, the biggest news surrounding the smash-hit Australian horror film, *Talk to Me*, is the confirmation of its sequel, *Talk 2 Me*, which the directors have already described as "insane" and "horrific." However, the twin masterminds behind the phenomenon, Danny and Michael Philippou, have a packed schedule, with their next A24 project arriving much sooner, shifting the timeline for Mia's return.

The original 2023 film, which became A24’s highest-grossing horror movie domestically, captivated audiences with its raw, intense take on possession and grief. This article dives deep into the latest updates on the sequel, the directors' new 2025 film, and a comprehensive look at the breakout stars and creators who brought the chilling lore of the embalmed hand to life, cementing *Talk to Me*’s place as a modern horror classic.

The Creative Forces Behind the Horror: Director and Star Profiles

The success of *Talk to Me* is intrinsically linked to the fresh, visceral energy of its creators and the powerful performance of its lead actress. This is a look at the key entities who defined the new era of A24 horror.

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Danny and Michael Philippou (Directors/Writers)

• Role: Co-Directors, Co-Writers (Danny also Co-Wrote the story)
• Origin: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
• Background: The twin brothers first rose to prominence as the creators of the hugely popular and often violent YouTube channel, RackaRacka, which boasts millions of subscribers. Their transition from chaotic online content to feature film directing was seamless, bringing a raw, high-energy style to the horror genre.
• Feature Debut: *Talk to Me* (2023).
• Signature Style: Known for practical effects, intense, fast-paced sequences, and a focus on contemporary youth culture.
• Awards: Nominated for numerous awards, winning several for their directorial debut.
• Upcoming Projects: *Bring Her Back* (2025, their next A24 horror film) and the confirmed sequel, *Talk 2 Me*.

Sophie Wilde (Actress, Mia)

• Role: Mia, the protagonist whose grief-fueled obsession with the hand drives the film’s central conflict.
• Nationality: Australian.
• Breakout Role: *Talk to Me* (2023).
• Acclaim: Her performance as Mia earned widespread critical praise, establishing her as a major new talent in cinema. She won a Critics Choice Super Award in 2024 for her role.
• Other Credits: She has also appeared in the Netflix series *Everything Now* and other projects, but *Talk to Me* remains her most recognized work to date.

The Immediate Future: Why 'Bring Her Back' is the New Horror to Watch in 2025

While the excitement for *Talk 2 Me* is palpable, fans of the Philippou brothers will get their next dose of their unique horror vision much sooner. The directors’ follow-up film, *Bring Her Back*, is the most current and significant update for the duo in late 2025 and is set to be a major event for A24.

This new project is not a direct sequel or spin-off, but it confirms the Philippou brothers' commitment to the genre and their partnership with A24, the studio that championed *Talk to Me* to massive success.

What We Know About 'Bring Her Back'

• Release Window: Expected in 2025.
• Studio: A24.
• Starring: The film features two-time Academy Award nominee Sally Hawkins, known for her roles in *The Shape of Water* and *Paddington*.
• The Directors' Take: Danny and Michael Philippou have described *Bring Her Back* as a "whole different creature" compared to their debut, suggesting a fresh narrative approach while retaining their signature intensity.
• Impact on the Sequel: The production of *Bring Her Back* is the main reason for the anticipated delay of *Talk 2 Me*. The directors have indicated a timeline that places the sequel after their other projects, potentially pushing it to a 2027 release window.

This strategic move allows the directors to avoid being pigeonholed by their debut and demonstrates their range, while also building anticipation for the eventual return to the *Talk to Me* universe. The success of *Talk to Me* has given them the creative freedom to pursue multiple ambitious projects.

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'Talk 2 Me': The Insane and Horrific Updates on the Sequel

The demand for a sequel was inevitable after *Talk to Me* earned over $92 million worldwide on a modest budget, becoming A24's highest-grossing horror film domestically.

The sequel, tentatively titled *Talk 2 Me*, is officially in development, and the updates from the Philippou brothers promise a film that will escalate the terror and expand the chilling lore of the embalmed hand.

The Two Script Versions and The Prequel

In a recent update, the directors revealed they have been working on not one, but two different versions of the sequel script.

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One of the most intriguing developments is the confirmation that the Philippou brothers have already shot a prequel. This prequel focuses on the character of Cole and his brother, Duckett, whose harrowing story is briefly referenced at the beginning of the original film. This footage, shot during the production of the first movie, is a complete entity that explores the terrifying events leading up to the film’s opening scene.

While the prequel's release date is tied to the sequel's overall timeline, it confirms the directors' deep commitment to building out the *Talk to Me* mythology, not just repeating the original's formula. This expansion of the lore will undoubtedly satisfy fans hungry for more details about the hand's origins and the rules of the possession game.

Expanding the Mythology of the Embalmed Hand

The central artifact, the mysterious embalmed hand, is what gives the film its potent topical authority. The lore surrounding the hand is a key element the sequel is expected to explore further.

The directors have hinted that they know far more about the hand than what was revealed in the 2023 film. They've stated the hand is purportedly the severed, embalmed hand of a medium or sorcerer, but its true history is deliberately ambiguous in the first movie to enhance the terror.

The terrifying cycle shown at the end of the first film, with Mia becoming a trapped spirit, suggests that the sequel will either follow a new group of teenagers who find the hand or, more chillingly, explore the afterlife of a trapped soul.

The directors have promised the sequel will be "horrific" and "insane," suggesting a deeper dive into the spiritual realm and the consequences of breaking the 90-second rule.

The Enduring Legacy of the Original Film

The original *Talk to Me* was a critical and commercial triumph that revitalized the possession subgenre. Its success was built on several key factors:

• A Modern Analogy: The film expertly used the possession ritual—filmed and shared on social media—as a chilling metaphor for drug use, peer pressure, and the dangerous pursuit of viral fame among Gen Z.
• Practical Effects: The reliance on unsettling practical effects over CGI gave the possessions a visceral, grounded horror feel that resonated deeply with audiences.
• Emotional Core: The story was anchored by Mia’s profound and complex grief over her mother’s death, giving the supernatural horror a devastating emotional weight that elevated it beyond a simple jump-scare flick.

The film's ending, where Mia is forever trapped among the lost souls, mirrors the fate of the hand’s previous victims, establishing a terrifying, perpetual cycle of spiritual entrapment. This bleak, powerful conclusion is what sets the stage for the sequel, promising a continuation of the dark, uncompromising vision that made the original a masterpiece.

While the wait for *Talk 2 Me* may extend until 2027, the immediate release of *Bring Her Back* in 2025 ensures that the Philippou brothers will remain the most talked-about names in modern horror. The foundation for a new, terrifying horror franchise has been laid, and the next two years will be defined by the expansion of their unique cinematic universe.