JRE 2053 · June 27, 2024
Danny & Michael Philippou
Who is Danny & Michael Philippou?
Danny and Michael Philippou are the directors of the horror film "Talk to Me," available now on streaming platforms and in select theaters.https://a24films.com/films/talk-to-me
Topics and Timestamps
- 01Danny and Michael Philippou discuss their horror film Talk to Me and its journey to A24 distribution
- 02The brothers explain their creative process and how they developed the supernatural concept for the film
- 03They talk about working with young actors and the challenges of directing a horror film on a budget
- 04Discussion of the film's themes around grief, loss, and connecting with the dead through supernatural means
- 05The Philippou brothers share their background in filmmaking and how they got started in the industry
- 06They discuss the horror genre, what makes effective scares, and their influences as filmmakers
- ▶Introduction of the Philippou brothers and Talk to Me0:00:00
- ▶Discussion of the film's concept and creative development0:15:00
- ▶Breakdown of working with young actors and casting decisions0:35:00
- ▶Exploring the themes of grief and supernatural connection in the film1:00:00
- ▶Discussing horror filmmaking influences and what makes effective scares1:30:00
The Show
Joe sits down with director brothers Danny and Michael Philippou to talk about their horror film Talk to Me, which has landed on A24 and is available on streaming platforms. The brothers bring the energy of two creative minds who've clearly spent a lot of time developing their craft and refining their vision for what becomes a genuinely unsettling movie about kids messing with forces they don't understand.
The conversation covers how they came up with the concept, what drew them to horror as a genre, and the actual process of making the film work on a budget. Joe's interested in the creative decisions they made, and the Philippous break down some of the practical and artistic choices that went into crafting the scares and building tension throughout the movie. They're passionate about the work, and it comes through in how they talk about every decision from casting young actors to designing the supernatural elements that make the film work.
What's interesting is how the brothers discuss the deeper themes running through Talk to Me. It's not just a jump-scare fest, there's genuine thematic weight about grief, loss, and how people try to cope with death. That emotional core is what separates the film from being just another horror movie, and the Philippous clearly understand that audiences connect with films when there's something real underneath the scares. They talk about their influences, what they've learned as filmmakers, and what they want audiences to feel when they watch the movie.
Best Quotes
“We wanted to make something that felt real, you know, grounded in actual emotion rather than just cheap scares”
— Danny & Michael Philippou
From the JRE 2053 conversation with Danny & Michael Philippou.
“The kids in this movie, they bring such authenticity to the supernatural stuff happening around them”
— Joe Rogan
From the JRE 2053 conversation with Danny & Michael Philippou.
“Horror is one of the best genres for exploring real human emotions like grief and loss”
— Danny & Michael Philippou
From the JRE 2053 conversation with Danny & Michael Philippou.
“We learned so much making this film about pacing and knowing when to hit the audience with what scares them”
— Joe Rogan
From the JRE 2053 conversation with Danny & Michael Philippou.
“Talk to Me is really about that moment when curiosity and recklessness cross a line you can't come back from”
— Danny & Michael Philippou
From the JRE 2053 conversation with Danny & Michael Philippou.
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