Bring Her Back – Film Review
Reviewed by Harris Dang on the 30th of May 2025
Sony Pictures Australia presents a film by Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou
Written by Danny Philippou and Bill Hinzman
Produced by Samantha Jennings and Kristina Ceyton
Starring Billy Barratt, Sora Wong, and Sally Hawkins
Cinematography Aaron McLisky
Edited by Geoff Lamb
Music by Cornel Wilczek
Rating: MA15+
Running Time: 104 minutes
Release Date: the 29th of May 2025
Bring Her Back is set in present-day Adelaide and tells the story of siblings Piper and Andy (Sora Wong and Billy Barratt). Their lives are steady for the most part as Andy protects Piper from the world’s harsh realities, even as Piper is discriminated against for being legally blind. After a sudden tragedy that leaves them stranded, they are brought into the care of a foster mother, Laura (Sally Hawkins) and her son, Olliver (Jonah Wren Phillips). The overly jovial attitude of Laura, the taciturn demeanour of Oliver, the secluded location, and their looming grief leave the two emotionally withdrawn. Little do they know those are the least of their problems after the two discover there is something scary afoot in the house of Laura.
Bring Her Back is the latest film from Danny and Michael Philippou. They are Aussie twin filmmakers who are best known for their horror comedy YouTube channel RackaRacka and most recently, their critically acclaimed horror film Talk to Me (2022). Hollywood called in and offered them many opportunities for them to flourish, including a chance to direct a new Street Fighter film. However, they decided to dive back into horror (and back down under) for their sophomore effort. During their introduction to their film at the Sydney preview screening, they made it clear that the film is different to Talk to Me in terms of exploring death, loss, and grief. A mature approach after their first effort would be expected but does Bring Her Back exceed expectations?
While Talk to Me explored themes of addiction, loneliness, dependency, exploitation, and trauma with a fun mean streak, Bring Her Back dives deeper into its themes of loss, abuse and family that the Philippous establish from minute one with a foreboding and oppressive sense of dread. The film may lack Talk to Me’s fun factor, but the mean streak is still present as characters undergo gnarly acts of grisly gore that would make even the most experienced horror fans cringe and shudder. Huge credit should go to the beautifully disorienting digital cinematography by Aaron McLisky, the sharp editing by Geoff Lamb, and the powerfully blunt sound design from the sound department. They all manage to keep the audiences on their toes as the story unravels.
That is not to say their shrewd sense of humour is not present in the storytelling. Acerbic lines of dialogue, playful uses of needle drops, which are hilariously devious from an Aussie’s point of view, and innocent acts of goofiness from the characters pave their way to become clever foreshadowing from a narrative and character standpoint. The Philippous (and returning screenwriter Bill Hinzman) aim for a more intimate approach where the characters must be three-dimensional and worth following. Fortunately, the cast all deliver in spades. They relish the physicality of the horror at hand and the drama alluded to by the pathos. Sora Wong perfectly embodies the delicate balance of an understated mettle underneath her striking innocence. Billy Barratt convincingly conveys the inner trauma and emotionally distraught mental state with subtlety and nuance as he does everything in his power to protect his sister.
On the more theatrical front, Jonah Wren Phillips embodies the sinister, otherworldly presence of Oliver all through his piercing eyes, making his lashes of violence memorable and squirm-inducing. And of course there is two-time Academy Award nominee Sally Hawkins. Her performance is thrillingly overstated as she dives into the depravity of the proceedings as well as the darkness of her character with gusto. However, she never lets the theatricality of her work overwhelm the humanity of the story, as the dramatic stakes pummel her character (as well as Piper and Andy) with brute force, which brings a sense of empathy for her.
As for flaws, Cornel Wilczek’s musical score can be quite insistent. It telegraphs its scares and drama, subtracting the agency of the audience to truly judge what they are seeing for themselves. A similar flaw applies to the story’s conclusion. While the arcs and story threads are resolved well, the film lacks a sense of ambiguity and food for thought that would leave audiences thinking about it from a psychological standpoint long after it’s over. It risks diluting the value of repeat viewings.
Overall, Bring Her Back is another horror winner from the Philippous as they tone down their energetic approach to horror for more foreboding dread that will surely make audiences squirm, shake, and even shed a tear or two.
Summary: Bring Her Back is another horror winner from the Philippous as they tone down their energetic approach to horror for more foreboding dread that will surely make audiences squirm, shake, and even shed a tear or two.
4
Impressive
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