Bring Her Back(2025)(Review) - Gruesome Gazette

In 2023, Australian filmmaking duo the Philippou Brothers made their shocking debut ‘Talk to Me’ which took the festival circuit by storm. It won multiple awards and was highly sought after by companies to release. A24 won the bidding war and had great success when the film was finally dropped onto the masses. Their sophomore effort comes out of left field to deliver another powerful punch without trying to get pigeonholed into one category.

‘Bring Her Back’ tells the story of Andy and Piper, teenage siblings whose father unexpectedly dies one day. They are quickly put up for adoption, but Piper is almost completely blind so they both fight to stay together. Luckily, one highly-praised foster mother named Laura has accepted having them both. After all, Andy turns 18 in a couple months and should be moved out by then, and even though he intends to bring Piper with him, you never know how things will turn out. But when they do get to Laura’s home they learn that there is another foster child living there named Oliver. Oliver doesn’t talk and is typically locked in his room, the few interactions they do have with him are unsettling – to put it lightly.

As time goes on and we attend the father’s funeral, we slowly begin to understand who Oliver is and why it was never mentioned that he lived there already. And strange things are happening in the middle of the night.

This film is a suckerpunch to the emotional core. Whereas ‘Talk to Me’ was very heavy on its scares and brooding atmosphere, this one instead focuses on intense emotions, complicated characterization, painful grief, an oppressive atmosphere, and an ending that left most of my theater’s audience weeping in their seats as the lights came up. However, don’t think that this film doesn’t have horror embedded all throughout it. There are some specific images that made my jaw drop and cover my mouth with my hand. There are some very intense moments that shake you to your spine. And the acting prowess of foster mother Laura is played by Sally Hawkins (The Shape of Water) is on a whole other level. For a film that mostly involves children, everyone is on the same level.

When I got home and thought about this film and ‘Talk to Me’ together, they really gave me the feelings I had watching old James Wan & Leigh Whannell films. Their style is just so distinct and smart in a way that they can tell a story that has many familiar tropes and themes but still catch you off guard. Upon further inspection, I realized that these 4 filmmakers together have an Australian Gothic vibe – and a very specific one. So if you enjoyed the first ‘Saw’ film, the first ‘Conjuring’ or ‘Insidious’ films, or even ‘Dead Silence’, then you’ll certainly have a good time here.

This film has haunted me since I saw it. There’s one specific scene that takes place in the house that really just… ugh.. I can still feel it. And the twists that develop not only make sense, but they are challenging. Even when you are convinced you hate a character for whatever reason, within the next few moments you are reminded of the complexities going on which makes this film seriously engaging. Even as we go into some grotesque, terrifying directions.

I went in without even seeing the trailer, and I had no idea where we were going. But good Lord, I am excited to see what else these two filmmakers are capable of.

4.5/5

“Bring Her Back” is playing currently in theaters.

‘Til Next Time,
Mike Cleopatra