Touch Me is a psychosexual science-fiction horror comedy making its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. Joey (Olivia Taylor Dudley, She Dies Tomorrow) and Craig (Jordan Gavaris, Hacks) live a life of codependency and little responsibility. When the adult world catches up to them, they turn to Joey’s ex Brian (Lou Taylor Pucci, American Horror Story) for help. On the plus side, he is an alien who can remove all anxiety with just a touch. Unfortunately, he might also be planning to take over the world.
It is not often that tentacle sex and deep personal traumas exist in the same space, but that is exactly what writer-director Addison Heimann goes for. Touch Me is constantly throwing things at the audience. Dark childhood secrets, betrayals, and inter-species sex are just the tip of the iceberg. It is a dangerous mix that works more often than not.
This is due to great direction that conveys uncertainty while still giving time to develop characters. Heimann is unafraid to settle in and deliver exposition – things start with a minutes long monologue from Joey – without sacrificing pace. Touch Me takes some odd detours along the way, but it is constantly moving forward.
This push and pull can be hard to process at times. In between silly dance routines and gory limb dismemberments, there are some DARK revelations. This change of tone is always jarring since these moments are deadly serious. The past traumas of Joey and Craig have shaped their lives and, to an extent, their friendship. Even in its most jovial moments, Touch Me never feels lighthearted, but what the two friends experienced growing up makes for some incredibly uncomfortable moments.
Sex, and more specifically the long term consequences, are an important part of the movie. The irony of Touch Me is how disposal the act can often seem. From the earliest moments, sex is talked about and an undercurrent of sexual tension runs through the majority of the scenes.That being said, it is often an unintended result of a strange situation. In the most extreme cases, it is unwanted. But every single time, it ruins family, friendships, and lives.
Touch Me is unlike anything else that is screening at Sundance. Chances are there will be nothing like it this year. Because there is so much going on, it can be confusing at times – especially tonally. The mix of 1990s erotic thriller, zany antics, and sci-fi come together in an entertaining watch.
Touch Me is screening at the Sundance Film Festival. Sundance is taking place through February 3, 2025.
