The film explores the complexities of sibling bonds against a backdrop of eerie suspense, as the siblings are placed with Laura, a former social worker whose caring facade slowly reveals a darker side. With standout performances from Sally Hawkins as the twisted Laura, and young actors Billy Barrett and Sora Wong portraying the vulnerable siblings, the film masterfully intertwines emotional depth with horror elements.
What sets *Bring Her Back* apart is its originality, steering clear of typical horror tropes while delivering a uniquely terrifying narrative. The film's gradual unfolding of tension keeps viewers engaged, as disturbing visions and gruesome scenes amplify the sense of dread. The exceptional sound design plays a crucial role in establishing an ominous atmosphere, enhancing the film's chilling experience from the very start.
With a commendable score of 7.5 out of 10, this film proves that the Philippou brothers are not just a flash in the pan but emerging talents in the horror genre, showcasing their ability to craft original narratives that push boundaries. Join us as we dissect the film's themes, performances, and technical achievements, while preparing for the stomach-churning moments that define this haunting tale.
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00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 Chris: The Philippou brothers, Danny and Michael,
00:00:02 --> 00:00:04 fresh off their successful supernatural
00:00:04 --> 00:00:07 horror debut Talk to Me, return with another
00:00:07 --> 00:00:09 chilling feature titled Bring Her Back.
00:00:10 --> 00:00:11 Shot in their hometown of South Australia,
00:00:12 --> 00:00:14 this new terror venture showcases their
00:00:14 --> 00:00:17 evolving mastery of the horror genre.
00:00:17 --> 00:00:19 Though the brothers relocated to the United
00:00:19 --> 00:00:22 states in early 2019, they
00:00:22 --> 00:00:24 maintain strong ties to their Australian
00:00:24 --> 00:00:27 roots, choosing to continue filming in their
00:00:27 --> 00:00:30 native country. The story centers on two
00:00:30 --> 00:00:33 siblings, Piper, a nearly blind
00:00:33 --> 00:00:35 girl who can only perceive shapes and light,
00:00:36 --> 00:00:38 and her older stepbrother, Andy.
00:00:39 --> 00:00:42 Despite her disability, Piper refuses to
00:00:42 --> 00:00:44 use a cane, determined not to be treated
00:00:44 --> 00:00:47 differently. Their lives take a devastating
00:00:47 --> 00:00:49 turn when they discover their father dead in
00:00:49 --> 00:00:52 the shower, leading to potential separation
00:00:52 --> 00:00:55 by social services. A sympathetic
00:00:55 --> 00:00:58 social worker named Wendy offers hope,
00:00:58 --> 00:01:01 suggesting Andy could apply for guardianship
00:01:01 --> 00:01:03 when he turns 18 in three months and in the
00:01:03 --> 00:01:05 interim, works to keep the siblings together.
00:01:06 --> 00:01:08 The plot thickens when the siblings are
00:01:08 --> 00:01:10 placed with Laura, a former counselor who
00:01:10 --> 00:01:12 worked in social services for two decades.
00:01:13 --> 00:01:15 Laura, still grieving the loss of her
00:01:15 --> 00:01:17 daughter Kathy, who drowned at Piper's age,
00:01:17 --> 00:01:19 already fosters a peculiar mute boy named
00:01:19 --> 00:01:22 Oliver. While initially appearing caring,
00:01:23 --> 00:01:25 Laura's darker nature gradually emerges.
00:01:26 --> 00:01:28 She keeps Oliver under strict surveillance,
00:01:28 --> 00:01:31 even locking him in his room when she leaves
00:01:31 --> 00:01:33 the house. The situation worsens
00:01:34 --> 00:01:35 as, she attempts to drive a wedge between
00:01:35 --> 00:01:38 Piper and Andy. While Andy experiences
00:01:39 --> 00:01:41 disturbing visions of their father and
00:01:41 --> 00:01:44 unexplained bedwetting incidents that leave
00:01:44 --> 00:01:47 him increasingly confused and distressed.
00:01:48 --> 00:01:51 Written by Danny Filippo and Bill Hinsman,
00:01:51 --> 00:01:53 the film distinguishes itself through its
00:01:53 --> 00:01:56 originality, avoiding common horror
00:01:56 --> 00:01:58 tropes in favor of its own unique and
00:01:58 --> 00:02:01 frightening premise. The narrative
00:02:01 --> 00:02:04 complexity unfolds gradually, keeping
00:02:04 --> 00:02:07 audiences engaged throughout. The
00:02:07 --> 00:02:09 evil underbelly of the story manifests
00:02:09 --> 00:02:11 itself through bloody and and gruesome
00:02:11 --> 00:02:14 scenes, making it clear this isn't a
00:02:14 --> 00:02:17 horror film for the faint of heart. The plot
00:02:17 --> 00:02:20 takes its time to unravel, building tension
00:02:20 --> 00:02:23 and mystery rather than rushing to reveal its
00:02:23 --> 00:02:26 secrets. Sally Hawkins delivers a
00:02:26 --> 00:02:28 compelling performance in an unusually dark
00:02:28 --> 00:02:31 role, demonstrating her versatility as an
00:02:31 --> 00:02:33 actor through her portrayal of the twisted
00:02:33 --> 00:02:35 Laura. The young actors Billy Barrett and
00:02:35 --> 00:02:38 Sora Wong bring remarkable depth to their
00:02:38 --> 00:02:41 characters, Barrett effectively portraying
00:02:41 --> 00:02:43 Andy's confusion and frustration, and
00:02:43 --> 00:02:46 Wong capturing Piper's vulnerability and
00:02:46 --> 00:02:49 yearning for nurture. The supporting cast
00:02:49 --> 00:02:51 adds significant weight to the story, with
00:02:51 --> 00:02:54 Jonah Wren Phillips delivering a haunting
00:02:54 --> 00:02:56 performance as the tortured and terrifying
00:02:56 --> 00:02:59 Oliver, while Sally Ann Upton brings a
00:02:59 --> 00:03:01 pragmatic touch to her role as Wendy.
00:03:02 --> 00:03:05 A standout element of Bring Her Back is its
00:03:05 --> 00:03:07 exceptional sound design, which plays a
00:03:07 --> 00:03:10 crucial role from the very beginning. The
00:03:10 --> 00:03:12 film opens with a blank screen where audio
00:03:12 --> 00:03:15 alone sets the ominous tone, immediately
00:03:15 --> 00:03:17 establishing the importance of sound in the
00:03:17 --> 00:03:19 narrative. Throughout the movie,
00:03:20 --> 00:03:22 background sounds are deliberately amplified,
00:03:23 --> 00:03:25 keeping viewers on edge and contributing
00:03:25 --> 00:03:28 significantly to the atmosphere of unease.
00:03:29 --> 00:03:31 This careful attention to the aural
00:03:31 --> 00:03:34 experience creates a palpable sense of dread
00:03:34 --> 00:03:36 that persists throughout the film. The
00:03:36 --> 00:03:38 technical mastery extends beyond just sound.
00:03:39 --> 00:03:41 With the overall production quality matching
00:03:41 --> 00:03:44 the high standards set by their debut, the
00:03:44 --> 00:03:46 Philippou Brothers demonstrate their growing
00:03:46 --> 00:03:48 confidence behind the camera, crafting scenes
00:03:48 --> 00:03:50 that build tension while delivering the
00:03:50 --> 00:03:53 shocking moments. Horror fans expect
00:03:53 --> 00:03:55 the film's ability to maintain its
00:03:55 --> 00:03:57 threatening atmosphere while developing
00:03:57 --> 00:03:59 complex character relationships, and shows
00:03:59 --> 00:04:02 significant maturity in their filmmaking
00:04:02 --> 00:04:05 approach. This sophomore effort from the
00:04:05 --> 00:04:08 Philippou Brothers showcases their ability to
00:04:08 --> 00:04:10 craft original horror narratives that don't
00:04:10 --> 00:04:13 rely on established formulas. With its
00:04:13 --> 00:04:16 MA rating and a score of 7 1/2 out of 10,
00:04:16 --> 00:04:19 bring her back proves that the director's
00:04:19 --> 00:04:21 success with Talk to Me was no fluke,
00:04:22 --> 00:04:24 firmly establishing them as emerging talents
00:04:24 --> 00:04:27 in the horror genre. However,
00:04:27 --> 00:04:29 viewers should be prepared for some stomach
00:04:29 --> 00:04:32 churning gore as the film doesn't shy away
00:04:32 --> 00:04:34 from graphic content in service of its story.
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