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A24, a decade ago, transformed contemporary horror with The Conjuring franchise—a cold, suspenseful narrative woven with intricate detail, leading to moneymaking spinoffs like Annabelle and The Nun.
However, the horror landscape is ready for competition as the main series prepares to wrap up with Last Rites, to be released in 2025. This introduces A24, the independent studio known for some of the most unique horror films in the past decade. They are now preparing the groundwork for their own horror universe, integrating their legacy with future vision.
Indeed, it was they who pioneered the term ‘elevated horror’ with films like Hereditary and Midsommar, but it is the Philippou brothers’ Talk to Me and its parallel release, Bring Her Back, that suggest something more.
Not a universe defined by exorcisms and demons, but one bound by psychological dread and emotional terror. Rather than James Wan's blaring explosions, their universe replaces jump scares with unadulterated anguish, diffident horror, and profound grief that is so distorted it is achingly beautiful.
They appear ready to take over the gap the Conjuring series will leave behind. With Talk to Me and Bring Her Back receiving great reviews and a sequel in the works titled Talk 2 Me, this new horror universe—albeit in its early stages—has potential and is sure to delight older fans of the genre as well as contemporary audiences searching for more substance than mere hauntings.
A24 universe: built on subtlety and emotion
A24 insertions, apart from the Conjuring franchise, showcase a stark difference with their approach to horror films. A wider scope of lore is visually summed up through the essence of evil in the forms of Bathsheba and Annabelle. In contrast, Talk to Me and Bring Her Back focus their dynamic on more ambiguity. This vague realm encompasses auxiliary horrors that stem from internal trauma instead of ghostly forces.
In addition to enriching the emotional arc, this ambiguity plays a huge part in enhancing the archetype of characters. Through eerie narratives surrounding her new wards, Sally Hawkins in Bring Her Back takes the role of a foster mother struggling with her own losses.
This archetype of grief and vulnerability is the very essence that builds the narrative of Talk to Me through a chilling séance gimmick that spirals into a psychological collapse. The Philippous step beyond using grief and vulnerability as fear, skillfully capturing attention that resonates far beyond the screen.
Strong starts and a promising future
The reception of these films further validates their direction. Critically, Talk to Me did wonders, scoring a remarkable 94% on Rotten Tomatoes for the compelling scares and emotional depth they incorporated.
Its counterpart, Bring Her Back, currently sits at an impressive 90% while garnering praise for seasoned performances and strong thematic depth. These sustained ratings imply a controlled standard of criticism, something that isn’t there in The Conjuring’s universe, which has some of the best and worst reviewed spinoffs.
In addition, there is a reasonable opportunity for A24 to develop on its own. The Philippou brothers have openly stated that both movies live in the same universe, and they’ve suggested that greater links will come to light with later parts. If Talk 2 Me enhances this development—maybe even adding inter-film personas or collective storytelling—A24 could create a franchise that values intelligence and depth over explosions and flashy visuals.
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Setting trends instead of following them has never been their specialty—and with The Conjuring series slowly winding down, it is the perfect disguise for A24 to set forth on this springboard.
A deep dive into deeply emotional storytelling paired with restrained yet haunting visuals awakens an undercurrent of interconnectedness—the feeling of their blossoming horror universe, which not only succeeds The Conjuring with its range but also evolves the very definition of horror as we perceive it.
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