Danny and Michael Philippou, the twin Australian filmmakers who shook the horror world with their 2023 hit "Talk to Me," return with their sophomore effort, "Bring Her Back," a visceral and unsettling horror film set to disturb audiences on Friday, May 30, 2025. This A24 release, penned by Danny Philippou and Bill Hinzman, plunges viewers into a nightmarish domestic scenario. It stars Billy Barratt as Andy and Sora Wong as Piper, step-siblings thrust into foster care after their father's death. They find themselves under the care of Laura, played with chilling intensity by Academy Award nominee Sally Hawkins, a former child therapist whose own unresolved grief over her deceased daughter fuels a terrifying ritual. The film promises an anxiety-inducing experience, exploring how unchecked grief can curdle into something truly monstrous.
Genre:Horror, Mystery
The plot of "Bring Her Back" unravels with a deliberate, suffocating dread. Following their father's demise, Andy, nearly 18, hopes to gain guardianship of his partially sighted younger sister, Piper. However, until then, they are placed with Laura, a seemingly kind foster parent who also cares for a traumatized, non-verbal boy named Oliver (Jonah Wren Phillips). It quickly becomes clear that Laura's interest in Piper is disturbingly tied to her own lost daughter, Cathy, who was also blind. Laura begins to manipulate Andy, gaslighting him and attempting to drive a wedge between the siblings to paint him as an unreliable narrator to Piper. The film hints at occult rituals through grainy VHS tapes and a chalk circle enclosing Laura's property, suggesting her desperate plan to resurrect her dead child. The tension escalates as Andy uncovers Laura’s malevolent intentions, leading to harrowing and visceral sequences of body horror and psychological torment.
"Bring Her Back" boldly steps into the crowded subgenre of grief-based horror, but it does so with an unflinching ferocity that sets it apart. While many contemporary horror films use grief as a mere metaphorical backdrop, the Philippou brothers make it the raw, bleeding heart of their narrative, channeling the existential nihilism reminiscent of New French Extremity works like "Martyrs". This isn't a "fun" horror movie; it’s a relentlessly unpleasant and emotionally taxing experience that aims to make you squirm. The film's atmosphere is ominously unsettling, with cinematographer Aaron McLisky's work creating a sprawling yet claustrophobic location that feels damp and moldy, echoing themes of rot and decay.
Trailer Bring Her Back (2025)
Sally Hawkins delivers a truly unforgettable and complex performance as Laura. She masterfully transitions from a seemingly kind and kooky figure to a quietly terrifying sociopath, making Laura's grief-based motivations disturbingly understandable while simultaneously making her actions abhorrent. Hawkins channels elements of her "Happy-Go-Lucky" persona, using that initial warmth to curdle into something truly hideous, showcasing a manic dedication to the role that is both mesmerising and deeply unsettling. The young actors also shine, with Billy Barratt providing the film's emotional spine as Andy, whose protective instincts towards Piper anchor the narrative. Sora Wong's portrayal of Piper is particularly effective; despite her blindness being weaponized by Laura, the filmmakers never reduce her to a mere victim, showcasing her agency and resilience.
However, "Bring Her Back" is not without its imperfections. While its bleakness is intentional and effective for its target audience, it may be "too scary for many to fully enjoy". Some reviewers found the film's mythology "dizzyingly unclear and patched-together," leading to moments where ambiguity felt like a substitute for scares. The occasional attempts at dark humor, while present, are largely overwhelmed by the film's pervasive heaviness. Furthermore, the relentless focus on child peril and the graphic nature of some scenes could be deeply disturbing for viewers. The pacing, while a slow-burn initially, also introduces "too many swerves" in its third act, which may not always land effectively.
Despite these criticisms, "Bring Her Back" solidifies the Philippou brothers' position as formidable voices in modern horror. They demonstrate a remarkable skill in building tension and crafting a film that feels both audaciously brutal and genuinely humane towards its young protagonists. Their ability to expand upon their influences rather than simply imitate them is a testament to their cineliteracy beyond a single genre. For those who crave horror that is bleak, mean, and relentlessly disturbing, "Bring Her Back" is a powerful and essential viewing experience. It's a film that burns with a "white-hot nerve of pain", proving that sometimes, true horror lies in the raw, unfathomable depths of human grief. It's a testament to the Philippou brothers' craft, pushing boundaries and leaving a lasting, unsettling impression. It earns a solid 8/10 rating.