Addison Heimann’s Touch Me feels like a strange dream you didn’t know you wanted—or maybe one you’ll regret chasing. This 2025 sci-fi horror-comedy is weird, colorful, and full of tentacles, trauma, and crazy humor. It started at Sundance’s Midnight section and was shown at festivals like SXSW and Fantasia. The film isn’t shy about its bizarre style; it’s a wild mix of erotic moments, dark satire, and a look at how we justify hurting ourselves. It’s not for everyone, but for those who enjoy its strange vibe, Touch Me offers a unique midnight-movie experience.
The story is about two best friends who get addicted to the “touch” of an alien who calls himself a narcissist. Joey (Olivia Taylor Dudley) is a quiet woman with OCD and childhood scars. Her roommate Craig (Jordan Gavaris) is her trust-fund friend. When their plumbing breaks and money runs out, they get involved with Joey’s mysterious ex, Brian (Lou Taylor Pucci), an alien who wears retro clothes and lives in a big mansion. Things get complicated as they become involved with Brian and his assistant Laura (Marlene Forte). The film keeps most of the plot a secret but uses bold visuals and surprising shifts in tone to keep viewers off-balance—in a good way.
Dudley’s performance is the heart of the film. She plays Joey as someone fragile but growing stronger, using both surrender and anger to find her power. Pucci’s alien Brian is creepy and weird, with strange movements that make him both attractive and unsettling. Forte is memorable as Laura, who seems loyal but might have her own secrets. Gavaris makes Craig’s wounded entitlement believable. The small cast feels natural together, making the story’s messy relationships feel real.
The film takes risks and isn’t afraid to be messy, reflecting the characters’ struggles to break free from destructive patterns. Touch Me uses Brian’s addictive touch as a metaphor for cycles of abuse and addiction. The film mocks “wellness” culture and denial, showing how trauma keeps us connected to our pain—wrapped in disturbing tentacle sex and weird dance therapy. It’s uncomfortable, funny, and oddly touching, reminding us that the monster’s embrace feels good because it’s dangerous.
The film isn’t perfect, though. Its shifting tone can sometimes weaken emotional moments, and the ending can feel a bit too complicated and messy. Some parts may feel confusing or frustrating rather than freeing.
In the end though, Touch Me is a gooey, wild reminder that the best midnight movies stick with you and don’t let go. It’s provocative, funny, and surprisingly sincere. If you want something that’s like a mix of Titane and an unhinged therapy session, give it a try.
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