Directors Danny and Michael Philippou terrified audiences in 2022 with their surprise hit Talk to Me. The duo used a mix of teenage stupidity, grief, and gore to deliver an original tale of terror. They deliver another fiendishly good time with their new film, Bring Her Back.

Like their previous film, the plot for Bring Her Back is simple and terrifying. After Andy (Billy Barratt) and Piper’s (Sora Wong) father unexpectedly passes, they’re forced to live with a foster mother for 3 months before Andy turns 18 and is eligible for guardianship. Piper is partially blind and can only see shapes and light and Andy is a teenage boy with a history of anger issues. When they arrive at their foster home they meet Laura (Sally Hawkins) and a young boy named Oliver (Jonah Wren Phillips). Laura says Oliver hasn’t spoken since the loss of her daughter Cathy – who was also partially blind and drowned in a pool accident.

Laura is a little odd and quirky but the kids are trying to settle in. After a short time, Andy starts to ask questions about Oliver’s behavior and realizes Laura is hiding something. Without knowing exactly what’s going on, Andy tries to save him and Piper from Laura and her sinister plans for the two of them.

The script (written by Danny Philippou and Bill Hinzman) doesn’t hide what Laura’s plans are. There are breadcrumbs throughout the film – from the opening scene to Laura obsessively looking at occult tapes like a football coach breaking down game film. That tension is steady throughout the film with weird noises, maybe some dark magic, and strange behaviors.  Those scenes do provide is a looming feeling of dread unease throughout the film. There’s a point in the story where the audience will try to piece together what Laura is doing and that’s when Andy lets Oliver out of his room…things start to escalate from that point forward. It becomes obvious Andy and Piper are in real danger and maybe a danger they can’t escape from.

If you thought Talk to Me was intense, Bring Her Back has the same intensity times 10. There are multiple scenes that will have you look away from the screen or watch through your fingers. There are at least two scenes that will make the entire audience groan. It’s a film that’s not for the faint of heart and a tough watch, even for hardcore horror fans. They linger on shots longer than they should to drive home the disturbing imagery. I promise you will not look at cantaloupe the same after this film.

Sally Hawkins as Laura is what makes this film work on every level. Although her character says and does some very bad things, Hawkins plays her character with a level of naivety and desperation that makes sense. Laura not just even for being evil, her character is complicated. Similar to Talk to Me, the main character’s avalanche of bad decisions comes crashing down. Even in her incompetence, she’s focused and pushing forward to reach her goal. Hawkins is incredible the entire film but really makes her mark in the film’s third act. Her character is written brilliantly because it’s a character you’re supposed or dislike but they’re the vehicle for all big emotional beats in the film.  

If you’re a horror fan, Bring Her Back is a must see. It hits every mark you want an original horror film to hit. It has a great casts, some good kills, and batshit crazy story. Last but not least is Oliver. He’s one of the creepiest characters I’ve see in a horror film in a long time.

Bring Her Back is one of the best original horror films in years. It’s not what most horror fans would call scary; it is a film that has the gore and grittiness that makes horror films feel special. What makes this film work isn’t jump scares or bloody body horror, it’s the ability to fill ever scene with a sense of dread and uncertainty. It’s a film that will stick with you after you finish watching. On top of the horror, there are some heavy themes this film touches on.

One thing is clear; Danny and Michael Philippou might need therapy or a hug. Maybe they need both. Whatever freighting story they decide to tell next, I’ll be there. Even if I have to watch 60% of the film through my fingers.

Grade: A