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, fresh off
00:00:02 --> 00:00:05 their successful supernatural horror debut
00:00:05 --> 00:00:08 Talk to Me, return with another chilling feature
00:00:08 --> 00:00:10 titled Bring Her Back. Shot in their
00:00:10 --> 00:00:13 hometown of South Australia, this new terror
00:00:13 --> 00:00:16 venture showcases their evolving mastery of the
00:00:16 --> 00:00:19 horror genre. Though the brothers relocated to
00:00:19 --> 00:00:22 the United states in early 2019, they
00:00:22 --> 00:00:25 maintain strong ties to their Australian roots,
00:00:25 --> 00:00:28 choosing to continue filming in their native country.
00:00:28 --> 00:00:30 The story centers on two siblings,
00:00:31 --> 00:00:34 Piper, a nearly blind girl who
00:00:34 --> 00:00:36 can only perceive shapes and light, and her
00:00:36 --> 00:00:39 older stepbrother, Andy. Despite her
00:00:39 --> 00:00:42 disability, Piper refuses to use a
00:00:42 --> 00:00:45 cane, determined not to be treated differently.
00:00:46 --> 00:00:48 Their lives take a devastating turn when they discover their
00:00:48 --> 00:00:51 father dead in the shower, leading to
00:00:51 --> 00:00:53 potential separation by social services.
00:00:54 --> 00:00:57 A sympathetic social worker named Wendy
00:00:57 --> 00:01:00 offers hope, suggesting Andy could apply for
00:01:00 --> 00:01:03 guardianship when he turns 18 in three months and
00:01:03 --> 00:01:05 in the interim, works to keep the siblings together.
00:01:06 --> 00:01:09 The plot thickens when the siblings are placed with Laura,
00:01:09 --> 00:01:12 a former counselor who worked in social services for two
00:01:12 --> 00:01:15 decades. Laura, still grieving the loss of her
00:01:15 --> 00:01:17 daughter Kathy, who drowned at Piper's age, already
00:01:17 --> 00:01:20 fosters a peculiar mute boy named Oliver.
00:01:21 --> 00:01:24 While initially appearing caring, Laura's darker
00:01:24 --> 00:01:27 nature gradually emerges. She keeps Oliver
00:01:27 --> 00:01:29 under strict surveillance, even locking him in his
00:01:29 --> 00:01:32 room when she leaves the house. The
00:01:32 --> 00:01:35 situation worsens as, she attempts to drive a
00:01:35 --> 00:01:38 wedge between Piper and Andy. While Andy
00:01:38 --> 00:01:40 experiences disturbing visions of their
00:01:40 --> 00:01:43 father and unexplained bedwetting incidents
00:01:44 --> 00:01:46 that leave him increasingly confused and
00:01:46 --> 00:01:49 distressed. Written by Danny
00:01:49 --> 00:01:51 Filippo and Bill Hinsman, the film
00:01:51 --> 00:01:54 distinguishes itself through its originality,
00:01:54 --> 00:01:57 avoiding common horror tropes in favor of
00:01:57 --> 00:01:59 its own unique and frightening premise.
00:02:00 --> 00:02:03 The narrative complexity unfolds gradually,
00:02:03 --> 00:02:05 keeping audiences engaged throughout.
00:02:06 --> 00:02:09 The evil underbelly of the story manifests
00:02:09 --> 00:02:12 itself through bloody and and gruesome scenes,
00:02:13 --> 00:02:16 making it clear this isn't a horror film for the faint of
00:02:16 --> 00:02:19 heart. The plot takes its time to unravel,
00:02:19 --> 00:02:22 building tension and mystery rather than rushing to
00:02:22 --> 00:02:25 reveal its secrets. Sally Hawkins
00:02:25 --> 00:02:28 delivers a 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 Laura.
00:02:34 --> 00:02:36 The young actors Billy Barrett and Sora Wong
00:02:37 --> 00:02:39 bring remarkable depth to their characters,
00:02:39 --> 00:02:42 Barrett effectively portraying Andy's confusion and
00:02:42 --> 00:02:44 frustration, and Wong capturing
00:02:44 --> 00:02:47 Piper's vulnerability and yearning for nurture.
00:02:48 --> 00:02:51 The supporting cast adds significant weight to the story,
00:02:51 --> 00:02:54 with Jonah Wren Phillips delivering a haunting performance
00:02:54 --> 00:02:57 as the tortured and terrifying Oliver, while
00:02:57 --> 00:03:00 Sally Ann Upton brings a pragmatic touch to her
00:03:00 --> 00:03:01 role as Wendy.
00:03:02 --> 00:03:05 A standout element of Bring Her Back is its
00:03:05 --> 00:03:08 exceptional sound design, which plays a crucial role
00:03:08 --> 00:03:10 from the very beginning. The film opens with a
00:03:10 --> 00:03:13 blank screen where audio alone sets the ominous
00:03:13 --> 00:03:16 tone, immediately establishing the importance of
00:03:16 --> 00:03:19 sound in the 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 experience
00:03:32 --> 00:03:35 creates a palpable sense of dread that persists
00:03:35 --> 00:03:37 throughout the film. The technical mastery extends
00:03:37 --> 00:03:40 beyond just sound. With the overall production quality
00:03:40 --> 00:03:43 matching the high standards set by their debut,
00:03:43 --> 00:03:46 the Philippou Brothers demonstrate their growing confidence
00:03:46 --> 00:03:49 behind the camera, crafting scenes that build
00:03:49 --> 00:03:51 tension while delivering the shocking moments.
00:03:51 --> 00:03:54 Horror fans expect the film's ability
00:03:54 --> 00:03:57 to maintain its threatening atmosphere while developing complex
00:03:57 --> 00:04:00 character relationships, and shows significant
00:04:00 --> 00:04:02 maturity in their filmmaking approach.
00:04:03 --> 00:04:06 This sophomore effort from the Philippou Brothers
00:04:06 --> 00:04:09 showcases their ability to craft original horror
00:04:09 --> 00:04:11 narratives that don't rely on established
00:04:11 --> 00:04:14 formulas. With its MA rating and a
00:04:14 --> 00:04:17 score of 7 1/2 out of 10, bring her back
00:04:18 --> 00:04:21 proves that the director's success with Talk to Me was
00:04:21 --> 00:04:23 no fluke, firmly establishing them as
00:04:23 --> 00:04:26 emerging talents in the horror genre.
00:04:26 --> 00:04:29 However, viewers should be prepared for some stomach
00:04:29 --> 00:04:32 churning gore as the film doesn't shy away from
00:04:32 --> 00:04:34 graphic content in service of its story.
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