“Bring Her Back: A Chiller That Almost Brings It Home”

Directors Danny and Michael Philippou reunite with A24 for their follow-up to the 2022 hit “Talk to Me” with “Bring Her Back.” As he did with the previous film, Danny also co-wrote the script with Bill Hinzman. Andy (Billy Barratt) and his vision-impaired stepsister Piper (Sora Wong) are thick as thieves who have to come together after their father’s suicide.

A fierce protector of his sister, Andy wants to assume legal guardianship of Piper since he’s almost 18. Still, social worker Wendy (Sakky-Anne Upton)warns him that a judge may not grant him custody due to his limited income. She suggests that Piper reside with her former co-worker and foster mother, Laura (Sally Hawkins).  While Piper is more open to  Laura, Andy is overly sceptical, particularly when introduced to their new brother Oliver (Jonah Wren Phillips). However, they soon learn that Laura has a terrifying secret inside her secluded home.

No matter that the genre is following up a well-received film by any director. Seeing as their debut earned a worldwide total of $92.2 million against a budget of $4.5 million, it’s easy to see that the easy route would have been to rush a sequel or try to bring in A-List talent. Thankfully, the duo tries something new for their sophomore feature while keeping the vibe of their debut.

At its core, “Bring Her Back” has an underlying motif of death and possibly how to deal with grief. After the film’s opening, the audience becomes privy to what appears to be a sadistic ritual. The script then sets up its story, revealing spooky behaviour from the likes of Laura and Oliver. Jonah Wren Phillip is downright creepy as Oliver and gets a chance to tap into some body horror moments, while Sally Hawkins is good as always.

Whether it’s a moment featuring the emotional impact of white women’s tears or a monologue, Hawkins truly steals the scene, and I always enjoy seeing her in a genre film. Similarly, Billy Barratt and Sora Wong perform well as the main protagonists. Barratt brings an authentic teen angst vibe, while Wong manages to avoid overemphasising the disability trope, which could easily become a pitfall for a film of this nature.

Unfortunately, the tone of the film felt off to me. While I didn’t expect jump scares or anything like that, something was missing in the second and third acts. There are some complex layers of dealing with grief in this film, and I would like to see what the Philippou brothers could create with a straightforward drama.

Nevertheless, when the horror goes full throttle in the third act, the wait is worth it, and it is enough for me to recommend the film mildly.

Final Grade: B –

“BRING HER BACK” opens in theatres on May 29, 2025.