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Indie studio A24 appears to have delivered another chilling modern horror masterpiece titled “Bring Her Back“. Penned and helmed by the creative minds behind “Talk to Me“, Danny and Michael Philippou, this upcoming 2025 film promises to send shivers down your spine. “Bring Her Back” tells the tale of a group of siblings who have been placed in a foster home, only to discover that their caretaker has dabbled in some ominous practices following the loss of her own child. Details about the plot beyond this point remain shrouded in mystery. Set to open alongside “Karate Kid: Legends“, although it may not have as much mainstream attention, there’s been a lot of excitement building up around it.

Prior to its broad cinema premiere, the film “Bring Her Back” by A24 had already earned a chilling 90% approval from 67 critics on Rotten Tomatoes. The general consensus among these critics was that it was a “domestic horror” offering terrifying moments derived primarily from Sally Hawkins’ captivating performance. This early critical acclaim appears to have set the film on course for becoming both another modern horror masterpiece and a lucrative hit for the Philippous. From the acting, the heartrending storyline, to the nerve-wracking scares, there are numerous aspects that have sparked praise from critics about “Bring Her Back”.

6. Sally Hawkins’ Performance

Hawkins Unleashes An Unforgettable Horror Villain In Laura

In the movie “Bring Her Back”, although many of its cast members are young and relatively inexperienced actors, it boasts two-time Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins in a leading role. Known for her work in films like “The Shape of Water”, “Blue Jasmine”, and the initial “Paddington” movies, she takes on the character of Laura, the foster mother to Andy and Piper in the film. Unlike her previous roles, Laura is markedly different from Hawkins’ other characters, exhibiting a more cunning and unkind side that showcases her versatility as an actress.

In the movie “Bring Her Back,” Sissy Spacek, as portrayed by Carlos Aguilar of IGN Movies, exhibits a chilling mix of malevolence and desperation. Similarly, Tim Grierson from Screen International describes her performance as devilishly captivating, hinting at the character’s wickedness before delivering an unsettling portrayal of profound evil that is eerily subtle in its intensity. The prospect of witnessing Spacek in a unique role has made “Bring Her Back” intriguing, and it appears her performance will meet and possibly surpass expectations.

5. Bring Her Back Features A Talented Cast Outside Of Sally Hawkins

It Is Elevated By The Performances Of Its Young Actors

While Hawkins undeniably shines in this film, “Bring Her Back” isn’t solely reliant on her acting prowess to thrive. It is also said that it boasts impressive performances from actors Sora Wong and Billy Barratt, particularly the latter who won an International Emmy Award at 13 for his role in “Responsible Child”. These two stars portray Piper and Andy, siblings taken under Laura’s care. This implies that they will likely be the center of attention in the movie, suggesting that a significant portion of its success hinges on their performances.

In a review by ‘Xero Gravity’ from ‘Horror Press’, they noted that the relationship between Wong and Barratt’s sibling characters in the movie ‘Bring Her Back‘ is strongly portrayed, and as viewers progress through the film, they can sense how it “elongates and distorts their connection right up until the third act“. Similarly, Caralynn Matassa from ‘CBR‘ stated that the film’s main cast makes it simple for the audience to become engrossed in their stories from the very beginning. Ross Bonaime from ‘Collider‘, on the other hand, praised Jonah Wren Phillips’ performance as the mostly silent character Oliver, describing it as “one of the finest child acting performances in horror films in recent times“.

4. The Film Features A Creepy Atmosphere

Bring Her Back Pulls Audiences Into An Unnerving World

Using “Talk to Me,” the Phillipous demonstrated an ability to generate suspense without resorting to traditional jump scares. This innovative method appears to be echoed in their subsequent work, “Bring Her Back.” In a year dominated by horror blockbusters like “Sinners” and “Final Destination Bloodlines,” it’s clear that there’s still an appetite for original portrayals of fear. As Owen Gleiberman from Variety puts it, the film offers a “domestic nightmare fever dream” set in suburban Australia, with the Phillipous using their “impressionistic” style to create a “rich and unsettling sensation of malevolent dread.

According to Gleiberman, although the film’s plot may lack solid reasoning, it makes up for this by focusing on creating a chilling and suspenseful atmosphere from the get-go, using ominous and grainy VHS footage of a terrifying cult ritual. If Bring Her Back provides an immersive viewing experience, it could contribute to its success in theaters. So far, reviews suggest that this movie is best enjoyed in a theater, and the Philippous excel at constructing tense worlds.

3. Bring Her Back Explores The Horrors Of Death And Unresolved Grief

The Film Deals With Heavy Themes In A Terrifying Fashion

In much the same vein as their earlier work, “Talk to Me”, the Philippous delve into themes of grief and loss in their new film, “Bring Her Back”. Both films portray characters grappling with the death of a loved one following unfortunate accidents. Here, the characters Andy and Piper mourn their father, while Laura grieves for her daughter. As a recurrent theme in cinema, grief has proven to be a rich source of inspiration due to its universal nature and capacity to be interpreted in numerous ways. It can also be particularly potent when employed in horror films, with several recent entries in the genre exploring this topic.

In “Bring Her Back,” as Andy and Piper grapple with their grief, Laura employs questionable, boundary-pushing tactics that border on necromancy, similar to characters in “Talk to Me.” Critic Bonaime from “Collider” noted that the film effectively portrays the deep sadness and terror of losing someone, while still producing one of the year’s top horror flicks. This implies that the movie somehow maintains a level of relatability, despite delving into a chilling supernatural narrative.

2. The Film Features Some Intense Horror

Bring Her Back Holds Up Next To Talk To Me In Terms Of Terror

A significant aspect that contributes to a horror movie’s success is its ability to instill fear, and the film Bring Her Back appears to meet this requirement, particularly following the Philippous raising the bar with their previous work Talk to Me.. Critic Matt Schimkowitz from AV Club highlighted the film’s frightening elements, stating, “Much like a punk band transforming simple chords into raw angst, Bring Her Back converts familiar horror tropes centered around trauma into a genuinely distressing experience.” It seems that horror enthusiasts will find satisfaction with this film, although it appears to be most impactful for those who appreciate intense scares over surface-level frights.

If you’re sensitive to graphic depictions of violence and horror, then the Philippous’ latest film, may not suit your taste. The previews for Bring Her Back suggest a high level of intensity, with scenes of decaying and contorted bodies, possibly from Satanic rituals or demonic possession. It appears that this movie does not resort to cheap scares.

1. Bring Her Back Presents An Incredible, Depressing Story

It Holds Nothing Back With Its Bleak Narrative, And It Works

As a movie enthusiast, I wouldn’t typically choose horror films for an emotional pick-me-up. Given the somber themes of loss and mourning in “Bring Her Back”, it wasn’t destined to be a cheerful movie. Similar to “Talk to Me”, “Bring Her Back” is said to narrate another heartrending and tragic saga, as its characters grapple with grief and supernatural elements while attempting to resurrect the dead, in a manner reminiscent of Stephen King’s “Pet Sematary”. It’s a recurring narrative, but one that I expect will come with its own unique twists and turns.

Critics have expressed that the film’s grim and poignant narrative has left an indelible mark while maintaining a favorable impression. Nadine Whitney from The Curb describes Bring Her Back as “as hauntingly sad as it is unsettlingly terrifying.” Similarly, Peter Gray of The AU Review stated that the story told in the film is “a chilling, bleak portrayal of grief that underscores their skill as narrators.” Given that good horror requires a strong foundation in storytelling, this movie seems poised to deliver on that aspect. At present, the critical response is overwhelmingly positive, indicating promising prospects for its success.

2025-05-28 22:38