Two codependent best friends become addicted to the physical touch of an alien narcissist who may or may not be trying to take over the world.
With Touch Me, Addison Heimann delivers a film about addiction, blending horror, sci-fi, and comedy in an effective way.
To Save Us or Destroy Us?
Touch Me is a film with very few characters. Aside from a few extras, the movie only features four characters. A quarter of the way through the film, we never leave the house of Brian, this strange alien who looks like a wellness guru. Or a sexy Jesus, depending on your perspective.
At the center of the story are lies and addiction. Each character hides some disturbing secrets that will obviously interfere with the narrative. Joey and Craig, the two friends, both have a problem with addiction. Craig is addicted to alcohol, vaping, and soft drugs, while Joey is mainly addicted to men. Ultimately, they have developed an unhealthy codependent relationship.
It’s in this difficult situation that they meet Brian, and after their bathroom has a problem with poop coming out of the tub, they end up at Brian’s house for a few days during which they are launched into a wellness program worthy of the true modern, crappy gurus.
For the characters, just like for the audience, the question is to guess whether our sexy Jesus-like alien wants our good or our destruction. The plot is well-built. Not only does this central question remain subtle to the point that we almost forget it, but it remains difficult to answer even when we are given clues.
Instead, it’s the addictions of our two friends that hold our attention. Especially when the three humans in the house start to compete to see who can seduce the handsome Jesus and be the only one to benefit from his magical touch. At that point, the film becomes a sort of analysis of the human mind, showing how addiction can destroy relationships. And the person themselves.
When Japan Influences Americans
With this film, we can also see how Japanese cinema influences American creators. In fact, a specific type of cinema is represented here: that of the tentacled creatures who take pleasure with humans. You know the type, right?
But the influence from Japan goes a little further, which acts as an indicator for the viewer so they can understand where the film is slowly heading. Craig spends part of his free time doing Japanese exercises on an app that could very well be Duolingo, even if it’s not named. Brian, for his part, speaks a pretty effective Japanese, and Joey will eventually start learning the language.
And yes, tentacle lovers are likely to be satisfied with Touch Me.
A Little More…
We also have to talk about the use of colors and lighting. To show the effect Brian has on the two friends, the director uses bright, primary color filters, giving a dreamy impression. The effect is not used too often, which makes it effective and not at all distracting.
Then, when the characters are under the influence of a drug, the director places them in a small circle of light, as if they had a spotlight directly on them, without the light illuminating beyond the outline of their head. A beautiful way to show that this addiction completely isolates them from their surroundings.
Thus, without revolutionizing the genre, Touch Me is a good horror-comedy that will give the audience pleasure and excitement.
Touch Me is presented at the Fantasia Festival on August 2 and 3, 2025.
