Touch Me Review: Addison Heimann’s Latest Is A Deliriously Horny & Mesmerizing Sci-Fi Thrill Ride

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Many films gain attention at festivals like Sundance and SXSW, potentially becoming big hits. However, some of these films take a long time to reach a wider audience. For example, Am I Ok?, starring Dakota Johnson, premiered but wasn’t available on HBO Max for over two years, and David Schwimmer’s Little Death hasn’t been released even after premiering in 2024. Initial positive reviews can only go so far in getting a film seen by more people.

The upcoming release is truly something special. This unique sci-fi horror-comedy first premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, alongside popular films like Together and Train Dreams, and quickly became a festival favorite. Its bold and visually stunning story tackles difficult themes of addiction and trauma with a surprisingly sexy and psychedelic approach. After a year of anticipation, it’s definitely a film you won’t want to miss.

Touch Me’s Bold & Innovative Style More Than Makes Up For The Occasional Writing Stumble

Addison Heimann’s second film, Touch Me, follows Joey (Olivia Taylor Dudley) as she starts a new chapter after leaving a controlling relationship with an alien named Brian (Lou Taylor Pucci). She moves in with her friend Craig (Jordan Gavaris), who, like her, is a young adult struggling to find his way. Craig is stuck in a rut, unable to move forward due to past trauma and a resistance to change.

After a sewer explosion damages their house and leaves them struggling financially, Joey unexpectedly reconnects with Brian, who offers them a weekend escape to his secluded desert mansion. Eager to leave their damaged and smelly home behind, Joey and Craig cautiously accept. However, Brian slowly manipulates them, using the guise of emotional healing to spark a chaotic few days filled with personal issues and competitive attraction.

Right from the start, the film clearly shows how much of the writer/director, Heimann, went into creating the characters of Joey and Craig. Their struggles with life and their open, honest way of living feel authentic, reflecting Heimann’s own experiences and those of many people his age. Both characters are relatable and well-developed, constantly putting themselves down hoping for approval, or avoiding dealing with past hurts that still affect them today. While the movie’s ending feels a bit messy, it doesn’t completely take away from the realistic portrayal of Joey and Craig.

What I really find interesting about Touch Me is how the director uses the sci-fi premise to dig into how people get stuck in unhealthy relationships. It’s like, Joey can’t pull away from Brian because his touch gives her this almost addictive relief from her worries. And with Joey and Craig, their bond is so complicated – they see each other’s flaws, but they also let each other get away with them, which makes their friendship both cozy and impossible to escape. It’s a really clever way to show how these dynamics work.

While Heimann carefully develops his characters, he also creates a stunning visual experience in Touch Me. Working with editor Jess Weber and cinematographer Dustin Supencheck (whom he previously collaborated with on Hypochondriac), Heimann showcases a talent for diverse visual styles. He’s particularly inspired by Japanese exploitation films, and this influence makes nearly every shot vibrant and full of energy.

The movie’s visually stunning and surreal style is enhanced by its commitment to real, physical effects rather than relying on computer graphics. While keeping the details of Brian’s alien identity mysterious, the film doesn’t shy away from intense and bizarre scenes, including both passionate encounters and shocking deaths. One particularly memorable scene, depicting an intimate moment between different species, is incredibly striking and stays with the viewer long after it’s over.

Courtesy of Yellow Veil Pictures

While Touch Me is enjoyable when it embraces typical genre elements, the movie truly shines thanks to its talented cast. Olivia Taylor Dudley, who hasn’t had enough opportunities to showcase her skills since The Magicians and Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls, is outstanding as Joey, giving what is likely the best performance of her career.

Jordan Gavaris, best known for his role in Orphan Black, is hilariously energetic as the eccentric Craig, though his serious moments don’t quite have the same impact as Dudley’s. Lou Taylor Pucci (Daredevil: Born Again) fully embodies the role of the cult-like leader Brian, and Marlene Forte (Hypochondriac) is captivatingly intense as Brian’s assistant and secret admirer.

While Touch Me isn’t flawless – the final act loses some momentum, and the complexities of the main characters’ friendship could have been explored more deeply – these shortcomings are minor. Overall, it’s a welcome return for director Heimann, and hopefully it will lead to even more creative and visually striking films from him in the future.

Touch Me hits theaters on March 20.

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2026-03-19 21:29