The A24 production company is crafting a chilling cinematic universe, which could effectively replace the Conjuring series in certain scenarios. The Conjuring saga started more than a decade back with the 2013 James Wan film, focusing on a team of private investigators who attempt to aid a tormented family experiencing a supernatural event. Although the main storyline was expanded upon three years later through The Conjuring 2, the franchise has also produced several interconnected spin-offs within its universe, such as Annabelle and The Nun movies. Today, it stands as the most financially successful horror franchise ever.
01/ Horror flicks are off to a powerful start this year, especially in the realm of franchise movies. This encompasses the Conjuring series, which is set to conclude its mainline franchise with Last Rites. The year 2025 has witnessed the long-awaited release of the sequel film, Final Destination: Bloodlines, and in a few months, we’ll see the revival of I Know What You Did Last Summer. A24 has recently debuted an original horror movie that promises to enrich an intriguing new cinematic universe.
Bring Her Back Is The Second Film In A24’s Secret Horror Movie Universe
It Is Set In The Same Universe As Talk To Me
2023 has seen A24 face some setbacks in the horror genre with films like “Opus” and “Death of a Unicorn” falling short of expectations. However, they’re making amends with their latest offering, titled “Bring Her Back“. Directed by the duo Danny and Michael Philippou, the film features Sally Hawkins as a foster mother who takes in two siblings following a family tragedy. Additionally, it stars Billy Barratt, Jonah Wren Phillips, Mischa Heywood, and Sora Wong. Despite being a horror movie, “Bring Her Back” had a modest but promising debut, earning $7 million at the box office.
In the cinematic realm, “Bring Her Back” marks the second joint venture between Philippous and A24, following their initial collaboration on “Talk to Me” in 2023. Unlike its predecessor, “Bring Her Back” is not a continuation of the story told in “Talk to Me.” Instead, each film stands alone with distinct narratives and unique characters. However, it’s been confirmed by the directors that these two horror flicks share the same universe. This connection was hinted at by the directing duo in May, with Danny Philippou stating, “Since we are writing our own films, they are inherently set within some sort of shared universe,” and his brother adding, “There will soon be evidence to support this claim.
As a cinephile, I’ve been pondering over the subtle similarities between “Talk to Me” and “Bring Her Back”. While they may not share specific plot points, they certainly resonate in a broader context. Both movies are set in the directors’ homeland of Australia, and both feature elements of the supernatural and mystery that play a crucial role in their narratives. Most strikingly, these films delve into the poignant themes of grief, with “Bring Her Back” portraying an especially heart-wrenching tale about a mother grappling with the loss of her beloved daughter, Cathy.
Michael Philippou didn’t explicitly explain what he meant by “going to be something to prove” regarding the movies’ connections, but it seems that those connections could be solidified soon. In fact, development is currently in progress for “Talk 2 Me”, a sequel to the directors’ 2023 movie. This upcoming film could serve as a bridge between the interconnected worlds of “Bring Her Back” and “Talk to Me”. By further exploring shared themes, and perhaps introducing characters from both franchises, it could fully establish these films within a unified universe.
Bring Her Back & Talk To Me Are Very Different From The Conjuring Movies
Their Supernatural Elements Are More Subtle
In contrast to shows like “Bring Her Back” and “Talk to Me,” the “Conjuring” series stands apart due to its distinctive approach towards supernatural elements. Unlike the subtly eerie Philippous in-universe duology, the “Conjuring” movies prefer to give tangible forms to their otherworldly adversaries. For instance, the first “Conjuring” film boasts a surprising scene where Bathsheba Sherman is unveiled, portrayed by Joseph Bishara. The second installment of the “Conjuring” universe, “Annabelle,” amplifies this trend by concentrating on a spooky doll that originated from the initial film.
In the film “Bring Her Back“, some supernatural aspects are given a tangible form via Ollie. However, the Philippous films delve deeper into the emotional impact of these supernatural occurrences on the main characters rather than focusing on their physical manifestations. These A24 productions are also less explicit in providing background information. Unlike the Conjuring series that elaborate on the lore within their extensive universe, the Philippous rely more on the viewer to infer the events unfolding during the rituals and hauntings through subtle hints and character responses.
A24’s Horror Universe Is Off To A Better Start Than The Conjuring
Talk To Me And Bring Her Back Have Gotten Good Reviews
From my perspective, one more compelling aspect of Philippou’s emerging horror realm is the positive reception his works have been garnering. Specifically, both “Talk to Me” and “Bring Her Back” have earned impressive ratings. “Talk to Me” achieved a 94% Tomatometer score, while “Bring Her Back” followed closely with a 90%. Mae Abdulbaki from ScreenRant rated “Talk to Me” 7 out of 10 stars, describing it as a chilling blend of terror, gore, and heartbreak. Meanwhile, Mary Kassel applauded the intricate and fully-realized characters in “Bring Her Back,” noting that it effectively handles themes of grief.
Instead of maintaining consistency, the Conjuring series has faced a wider range of criticisms. The initial movie was highly acclaimed, boasting an 86% Tomatometer rating, but subsequent films noticed a significant drop, particularly with some spinoffs. For instance, Annabelle received a Rotten score of 28%, just like The Nun (with a 24% Tomatometer). In contrast, the Philipps only produced two movies, and both Bring Her Back and Talk to Me have been more uniformly praised.
| The Conjuring Franchise RT Scores | ||
|---|---|---|
| Title (Year) | RT Tomatometer | RT Popcornmeter |
| The Conjuring (2013) | 86% | 83% |
| Annabelle (2015) | 28% | 35% |
| The Conjuring 2 (2016) | 80% | 82% |
| Annabelle: Creation (2017) | 70% | 68% |
| The Nun (2018) | 24% | 35% |
| Annabelle Comes Home (2019) | 64% | 70% |
| The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) | 56% | 83% |
| The Nun II (2023) | 51% | 72% |
To put it simply, The Conjuring series continues to dominate at the box office, with two of its movies ranking among the top 10 highest-grossing horror films globally. Even if we expand the list to include the top 5, The Conjuring franchise would still be well-represented. However, the upcoming film Talk 2 Me is not expected to reach such heights as these movies. On the other hand, Talk to Me was a significant box office success for A24, grossing over $91 million worldwide. The films’ performance and critical acclaim demonstrate their strong impact.
With The Conjuring Ending, A24 Should Embrace The Bring Her Back & Talk To Me Universe
They Can Fill An Important Niche
The Conjuring series is scheduled to conclude with Last Rites later in the year, potentially paving the way for more spin-offs. However, the end of this franchise could create a significant void in Hollywood’s horror genre landscape. With this potential opening, A24 can capitalize on the gap and expand their emerging horror universe. The early successes of Talk to Me and Bring Her Back suggest that they are well-positioned to build upon this foundation and grow the franchise even more.
The Conjuring: Last Rites is releasing in theaters on September 5, 2025.
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2025-06-04 17:19