In 2023, Australian brothers Danny and Michael Philippou made their feature film debut with Talk to Me. It became an instant favorite among horror fans. Two years later, the Philippou brothers are back with a new shocking horror film to frighten and disturb audiences. Bring Her Back tells the story of two step-siblings forced into the foster care system after their father dies. The longer the siblings are at their new foster mom’s home, the more they realize she has horrific plans for them.

With only two feature films under their belt, the Philippou brothers are already making their style known. With Talk to Me, audiences witnessed occult rituals with unknown origins, a blend of traumatic grief and paranormal frights to build tension, and moments of shockingly graphic violence (especially towards kids). These are all things fans can expect to see in Bring Her Back as well. The film introduces teenage Andy and his younger step-sister Piper. Even before their father dies, it’s clear Andy has taken on the role of protector for Piper, who is visually impaired. After the death, the two grieve in different ways and Andy takes caring for Piper even more seriously than before. Their foster mother, Laura, is also grieving the loss of her daughter. At first, this helps to explain away some of her eccentricities, but things become increasingly strange the longer Andy and Piper live with Laura. Not to mention, Laura has another foster child, Oliver, who never speaks and acts even more bizarrely than Laura. Horror has always been a great conduit for examining grief, and Bring Her Back is another wonderful example of that. It weaves together a thought-provoking story of human emotion, then raises the stakes with horrifying supernatural elements.

It’s important to note that, while there are aspects of Bring Her Back that are similar to Talk to Me, Bring Her Back is a much more intimate story. It focuses on just four characters and really deep-dives into the psychology behind each character’s actions, leaving the occult elements to help showcase their emotional turmoil, rather than having that horror be the focus of the plot. This also means there is a more gradual building of suspense, ultimately leading to the dramatic climax. The filmmakers don’t care as much about the how and the why of this story, but instead, they keep the film firmly rooted in the present and the experiences of these characters. It might be too slow for some viewers, but the way the Philippou brothers create a tense, edge-of-your-seat viewing experience with this film is sure to grab many by the throat and never let go.

Bring Her Back has some of the best performances of 2025, so far. Billy Barratt (Blinded By the Light, Marry Poppins Returns) plays Andy. Barratt creates a great balancing act as Andy, conveying a complex young man who is at times a typical angsty teen and at other times a capable, loving caretaker for his little sister. Sora Wong makes her film debut as Piper. What makes her portrayal of Piper so wonderful is her determination to ignore her visual impairment, just wanting to be treated like any other kid. Yet she still lets Andy be her protector, further highlighting their bond. Sally Hawkins (The Shape of Water, Godzilla: King of the Monsters) plays foster mother, Laura. This is Hawkins at her most unhinged. Underneath it all, she shows the many layers to Laura – caring, grief, vindictiveness, cruelty, determination, and more. Jonah Wren Phillips (Sweet Tooth, How to Make Gravy) plays the strange and silent young Oliver. Because Phillips has virtually no lines in the film, most of his performance is based on his physicality. He is truly brilliant as Oliver, as he brings to life many of the most memorable moments from the film.

This wouldn’t be a Philippou brother’s horror film without truly horrifying sights and sounds. Bring Her Back at first shows subtle imagery that hints to everything that is wrong at Laura’s house. As the mystery unravels, the imagery comes to the forefront in graphic and terrifying ways. The location and set design create a great sense of isolation and unease, especially with the somewhat odd layout of the house. As the supernatural elements ramp up, the gore comes into play. The practical effects and makeup design are absolutely brilliant, adding brutality and gruesome carnage to the otherwise understated story. Adding to that bloody imagery is sound design sure to set audiences’ teeth on edge. All of these elements help to create an unforgettable time at the movies.

Bring Her Back is a harrowing blend of grotesque, supernatural horrors and gut-wrenching grief. The Philippou brothers have not only delivered another horror hit, but they’ve also made the traits of their unique filmmaking style abundantly clear. While the film might be more of a slow-burn with a few unanswered questions, the build-up of terror is crafted in such a way that audiences have no choice but to succumb to the darkness unfolding on screen. It has fantastic performances from the entire cast, as well as gory practical effects, leading to a viewing experience audiences won’t soon forget. Be sure to experience Bring Her Back in theaters beginning Friday, May 30th.

OVERALL RATING: 8.5/10