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Warning: This discusses spoilers for the movie “Bring Her Back” currently playing in cinemasBring Her Back, the latest horror offering from A24, masterfully delves into the complex interplay of sorrow and the supernatural. Unlike Hereditary, it handles this theme more effectively. This is the second film by Danny and Michael Philippou, following the success of Talk To Me. Bring Her Back offers a harrowing portrayal of grief after death, layered with a chilling story about resurrection and evil spirits. The climax of Bring Her Back poignantly illustrates sorrow in a heart-wrenching manner, ending the film on a powerful note as one of the year’s top horror films.

The movie titled “Bring Her Back” isn’t new to using horror as a means to depict grief, but it stands out as one of the best examples. In many ways, it shares similar themes with a widely acclaimed 21st-century horror film, Ari Aster’s “Hereditary“. However, I’ve often found “Hereditary” to be overrated, a skillfully crafted film that fails to deliver the emotional depth required for its unsettling horror elements to truly resonate. In comparison, “Bring Her Back” is a more compelling movie and could potentially surpass “Hereditary” as A24’s benchmark in horror production.

Bring Her Back Is Really Similar To Hereditary

Bring Her Back And Hereditary Explore Similar Themes

The film “Bring Her Back” shares many thematic similarities with A24’s 2018 horror hit “Hereditary”, but it manages to convey these themes in a more gripping and impactful manner. Receiving widespread acclaim and a remarkable 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, “Hereditary” delves into a family disintegrating under the influence of supernatural forces following the demise of a child. Similarly, “Bring Her Back” centers around the complexities of grief, following the story of a mourning mother Laura, who welcomes Piper and Andy, recent orphans, into her life. Both films touch upon related themes and ideas.

In a less formal manner, both films adopt a deliberately enigmatic stance towards the supernatural aspects that run throughout their storylines. Both productions drive their main characters towards gloomy destinations, notably Laura and Annie from Hereditary who grapple with profound grief. Despite having somber endings, Bring Her Back offers a slightly more hopeful finale than the grim conclusion of Hereditary. These films are essentially tales of tragedy, exploring how sorrow can distort individuals into their most malevolent forms; however, Bring Her Back’s poignantly sweet denouement presents a sliver of optimism compared to the bleak ending of Hereditary. Lastly, both movies serve as platforms for exceptional performances, but the scripts in Bring Her Back provide more dynamic material for its actors.

Among the striking contrasts I’ve noticed between the films “Bring Her Back” and “Hereditary,” it’s the script for “Bring Her Back” that captivates me more due to its deep focus on character interactions and connections. This aspect lends a greater emotional depth to the narrative, making it far more engaging than the unrelentingly somber tone of “Hereditary.”

Don’t get me wrong; there’s some remarkable work in “Hereditary,” particularly in terms of visual aesthetics and acting performances. However, the script for “Hereditary” seems to miss the mark when it comes to injecting the right amount of levity and humanity into the story, which is something that “Bring Her Back” excels at.

I Like Sally Hawkins’ Laura Way More Than Toni Collette’s Annie

In both movies, Toni Collette delivers an awe-inspiring and haunting portrayal as Annie in “Hereditary.” Despite any issues I had with the film, Annie’s character is certainly not one of them. She embodies raw emotion, her grief and sorrow over her daughter’s death driving her into some bleak realms. Although she’s a difficult character to empathize with due to her grim nature, her situation remains deeply poignant and heartrending. Collette is exceptional in the role, yet the character is intentionally monotonous, reflecting the unyielding agony of grief.

Laura, too, is grappling with the tragic demise of her daughter in an accident, yet in “Bring Her Back,” she expresses her grief in a strikingly human manner. Hawkins particularly appreciates these poignant instances that give her character depth and authenticity. At times, she can be endearing, using this trait to influence those around her. Nevertheless, Hawkins discovers these subtle displays of humanity that lend credibility to the character. Laura occasionally confides in Piper and Andy, and exhibits genuine moments of doubt and revulsion at her actions. This only intensifies the chilling aspect of her willingness to carry on with her actions.

In simpler terms, The climaxes of both characters, Laura and Annie, reveal why Laura is more compelling than Annie. Annie, in the story, becomes possessed by the demon king Paimon, taking over her son’s body. Throughout the final part of the movie, she appears as a monster, which some might find unsettling due to its questionable special effects. On the other hand, Laura’s transformation in the third act of Bring Her Back is deeply moving as she struggles to connect with her victims and manages to perform heinous actions despite her own revulsion — making her both more relatable and chilling.

Bring Her Back’s Supernatural Elements Are More Effective Than Hereditary

Bring Her Back’s More Understated Scares Are More Effective Than The Big Swing Of Hereditary

In a simpler and more natural way, here’s how I would rephrase your statement: Both “Hereditary” and “Bring Her Back” avoid delving deeply into the supernatural elements in their narratives. This creates an eerie atmosphere as the stories unfold towards their climaxes. However, unlike other parts of these films, the arrival of the cult connected to Paimon in “Hereditary” is a particularly strange and peculiar scene. In fact, the third act of the film becomes so unique and intentionally odd that it loses touch with human experiences, making it less relatable for many viewers.

In the film “Bring Her Back,” the overwhelming majority of its chilling supernatural elements revolve around the character Ollie. As the story unfolds, she emerges as one of the movie’s most effective sources of fear. Unlike Laura, who remains untouched by any demonic influence, retaining control over her own actions throughout. The supernatural aspects are indeed unsettling and nerve-wracking, but they never detract from the film’s human element. The scariest moment in “Bring Her Back” comes at its conclusion when, with tears in her eyes, Laura tells Piper that she plans to drown her as part of the resurrection rite. This scene is stark, heart-wrenching, and infinitely more terrifying than anything portrayed in “Hereditary.

Why I Love Bring Her Back (And Don’t Like Hereditary)

Bring Her Back Tells A Similar Story In A Better Way

Initially, upon watching “Hereditary,” I was genuinely taken aback. I recognized Ari Aster’s directorial talents (which I believe were even more effectively used in his subsequent film, “Midsommar”) and appreciated the strong performances from the cast. Nevertheless, there are numerous aspects of the storyline and characters in “Hereditary” that I find difficult to endure. The family’s trauma and estrangement are central to the plot, but before Charlie’s death, the characters weren’t intriguing enough to hold my interest, and their negative traits intensify as they grieve. It intentionally inflicts pain in a way I can comprehend but don’t appreciate.

Film	Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer	Rotten Tomatoes Popcornmeter
Hereditary (2018)	90%	71%
Bring Her Back (2025)	89%	78%

In a different phrasing, here’s how I would put it:

Many people have been praising the movie, labeling it as a remarkable piece of its genre, a modern masterpiece. However, while I acknowledge the skill of those behind it, I don’t comprehend why its simple plot and unappealing characters resonated so deeply with viewers and critics. Conversely, I find the more complex portrayals of Andy, Piper, and Laura in Bring Her Back to be much more engaging. Ollie adds an eerie feel to the narrative, while Laura’s strange and cruel actions are never dismissed as mere wickedness.

Laura stands out as a more captivating, heart-wrenching, and chilling character compared to Annie, which makes the film “Bring Her Back” a more intriguing analysis of character development than “Hereditary“. The genuine scares in the Philippou film are more unsettling, and the emotional depth is more profound. Although I can appreciate what “Hereditary” aims to achieve, I believe it doesn’t quite live up to all the accolades it has received. Instead, I would encourage people to admire the same level of quality in “Bring Her Back“.

2025-06-01 00:28