Bring Her Back Review — Disturbing, Unapologetic, and Unforgettable
Before YouTubers Danny and Michael Philippou’s (aka RackaRacka) feature directorial debut, Talk to Me, blew up at Sundance, this writer was an early detractor. Our review called it “very solidly-crafted… [but] simply boring.” However, we argued it had mainstream breakout potential, and we were right, as it was a massive financial success for indie studio A24. We also ended the review on a very particular note:
“The strong concept and polished execution are good enough to make whatever the Philippou brothers make next into an exciting prospect, even if their debut isn’t all there.”
Reader, we were absolutely right about that too, as their sophomore feature, Bring Her Back, is the most unsettling thing we have seen this year.
The Philippous’ latest follows two siblings who are forced into foster care after the untimely passing of their father, only for them to discover a disturbing secret about their new foster mother. Although it takes some time for the movie to reveal its hand, those who are patient with the film will be rewarded with a slow burn that crawls under your skin in utterly disturbing fashion.
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Ever since Ari Aster’s Hereditary broke out as a mainstream hit, there has been a massive surge in indie horror movies that are thinly veiled metaphors for grief — and this is a subgenre that A24 all but has a monopoly on. Bring Her Back is one of those films, and it does feel a bit tired and generic because of it. From the opening scene of the movie, where we see the source of the characters’ trauma, it’s easy to tell exactly where this story is headed.
That being said, Danny Philippou and co-writer Bill Hinzman (who also co-wrote Talk to Me) manage to elevate the film above these generic genre trappings thanks to genuinely strong character development. Even if Bring Her Back doesn’t have anything particularly original to say about its themes, the writers craft interesting character arcs that get you genuinely invested in their survival and well-being, which, of course, makes the horror hit all the harder.
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Sally Hawkins (Paddington, The Shape of Water) delivers excellent work in her supporting role that is frankly nothing like what we have seen before. She certainly brings the wholesome motherly aura she has come to be known for… at least at first. But if you know anything about the genre, you’ll know that Hawkins’s performance very quickly gets unhinged, and she effectively leans into the disturbing aspects of the movie without ever feeling like she’s going overboard.
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While you might expect Hawkins to be a scene-stealer here, the Philippous are apparently great at directing young actors (the teenage cast was one of the few highlights of Talk to Me, after all), as all three young performers are incredible here. Billy Barratt carries the brunt of the film’s emotional weight on his shoulders, but he does not ever feel like he is leaning on clichés. Sora Wong, who plays Barratt’s brother, has excellent chemistry with him and nails a few heartbreaking scenes. Meanwhile, Jonah Wren Phillips gives maybe the most upsetting child performance ever committed to screen — up there with Linda Blair and Lisa and Louise Burns.
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Speaking of disturbing, Bring Her Back has no shortage of scenes that will leave audiences squirming in their seats — and that’s why people come to see horror movies, right? There are not one but two scenes in the movie that will have a guttural impact on audiences. Even those who typically have thick skin when it comes to this type of thing may find themselves genuinely freaked out by the phenomenal practical effects and the way the camera lingers on some of these images.
Is Bring Her Back worth watching?
All in all, Bring Her Back shows a massive step forward for the Philippou brothers. Although it’s much more of a slow burn than Talk to Me, and its story is a tad generic, the excellent character work, performances, and horror scenes make this a horror flick that you won’t be able to shake.
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