Bring Her Back: A Gripping Dive into Grief and Horror That Will Haunt You!

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In “Bring Her Back,” the Australian duo Danny and Michael Philippou prove they’re versatile beyond just one skill. The story, which delves into grief and its subsequent desolation, is bleaker than you might anticipate. This movie leaves a lasting impact, haunting viewers even after the closing credits.

2022 saw the horror genre ignite with the release of “Talk to Me,” a masterpiece that sent shivers down the spines of viewers everywhere. As a fan, I was left in awe by this incredible debut from the visionary Radelaide twins, the YouTube sensations known as RackaRacka. Their unique blend of vile body horror, supernatural themes, and an overarching atmosphere of dread made it impossible to look away and contributed to its viral success and box office domination.

As a gamer, I’ve got to say, I was thrilled when the sequel was given the go-ahead, but instead of sticking to the familiar path with a direct follow-up, the Philippou Bros. decided to venture into new territory. Instead of Bring Back the Sequel, their second project is now called “Bring Her Back.” Although it retains the brutal violence and eerie horror that made its predecessor so chilling, this one takes an unexpected turn.

Instead of finding “Where Talk to Me” an effortless recommendation suitable for many audiences, “Bring Her Back” isn’t that straightforward. It takes you on a much darker, hopeless journey with no light at the end, leaving you with an unsettling, inexplicable grime that seems impossible to shake off. Despite its more limited scope, it continues to showcase the exceptional horror skills of the directing duo, making every piece they produce worth your consideration.

What is Bring Her Back about?

The movie “Bring Her Back” was filmed in the home state of twins, Adelaide, Australia. Essentially, it offers an intimate exploration of the diverse expressions of grief that we all experience.

After the tragic passing of her daughter Laura (played admirably by Sally Hawkins), a new chapter unfolds as she assumes guardianship over siblings Andy and Piper. As soon as they step into their new home, Andy becomes increasingly aware of some inconsistencies within their seemingly ordinary environment.

What was the actual event concerning Laura’s child? Who is the silent child often seen on her property? Why does a mysterious white boundary encircle her house? And what’s the deal with her extensive collection of VHS tapes that seem quite unusual?

As chaos unfolds and fear becomes dominant, these queries linger in our minds. Determined to carry out a sinister rite no matter what, Laura remains relentless in pursuing her desires.

Will the circle be unbroken?

The core focus of this movie revolves around a recurring pattern of family violence. It’s when it tackles this subject matter that Bring Her Back becomes its most impactful, though also its most unsettling. Throughout the story, there are numerous scenes depicting violence towards children, ranging from younger to older ones. These scenes are difficult to endure, and at times they come close to being too intense. However, it’s in their struggle to rise above their ordeal that we empathize with the film’s characters.

Among the outstanding performers in this production, it’s my personal opinion that my older step-brother character Andy, skillfully played by Billy Barratt, and his younger half-sibling Piper, vividly brought to life by Sora Wong, truly shine. Don’t get me wrong; Sally Hawkins, who was Oscar-nominated for her role here, delivers a stunning performance that’s nothing short of remarkable. However, the relatively new and inexperienced cast members rise admirably to meet her level.

We empathize with their sorrow, understand their restless minds, and are deeply touched by their special connection. It’s challenging not to consider the pain it causes when one of them experiences harm, knowing the distress it inflicts on the other. And let me assure you, they encounter many harrowing situations.

In the initial part of the movie, there’s no shortage of entertainment. For Australians, this is especially appealing due to the authenticity portrayed. Not only do The Veronicas make an appearance, but so does the legendary Nollsie. Hearing this music playing loudly from school speakers as recess ended often, made watching this film a nostalgic journey.

Similar to Talk to Me, Bring Her Back subtly incorporates elements of the unexplained, yet what truly heightens the terror is the ambiguity left in some plot points, allowing viewers’ imaginations to fill in the blanks.

Some aspects of Laura’s chilling plan remain unclear to the viewers, leaving us with intriguing questions. Our fascination grows as we wonder about its origins and development. We find ourselves unable to stop speculating about how it unfolded.

As a gamer, I’m not just watching the gruesome rite unfold; the real tension lies in the enigma of Oliver, a mute child with an insatiable hunger. What’s up with this kid always being so famished? Hmm… now I get it. That’s why.

As each hint unfolds, the situation becomes increasingly bleak in this film, offering no rays of hope or veiled suggestions of positivity. The narrative is dark and disquieting, effectively achieving its aim of making the audience uncomfortable.

Unconstrained body horror

Although it may not achieve the same level of eerie intensity as Talk to Me, Bring Her Back doesn’t strive for that. Instead, it focuses on creating a sense of unease that leads to a disturbing climax, rather than using jump scares.

Here, there’s a multitude of occurrences, many of which are far from delightful. One particularly gruesome segment serves as a grim reminder of why we learn knife and fork etiquette at an early age. The repugnant sound effects intensify the already queasy visuals to create a truly heart-pounding experience in one of the more disturbing body horror scenes in recent memory.

In simpler terms, during the initial showing of our movie, there was quite a lot of people coming and going afterwards, which wasn’t the only occurrence. The film is generally unsettling, with several intense scenes that might leave you restless.

Bring Her Back review score: 4/5 – Great

Upon the ending of the movie “Bring Her Back,” my initial impression was that it was quite daring for the Philippou brothers to take such a dramatic shift in direction. While there are certainly similarities to their debut film on the big screen, this new project represents a completely distinct narrative path.

To put it simply, although it might not appeal to everyone, this movie is exceptionally well-crafted and could potentially pull you into its dark, eerie world.

This film isn’t for everyone, but if you’re open to it, it has the power to immerse you in a chilling, beautifully made underworld.

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2025-05-27 04:49