Bring Her Back (2025) Movie Review: A Visceral, Unsettling Horror TriumphReleased on May 29, 2025, Bring Her Back is a chilling Australian horror film directed by Danny and Michael Philippou, the twin brothers behind the acclaimed Talk to Me (2022). Starring Sally Hawkins, Billy Barratt, Sora Wong, and Jonah Wren Phillips, this 1-hour-48-minute R-rated thriller dives into a nightmarish tale of grief, manipulation, and occult horror. Set in suburban Adelaide, the film follows orphaned siblings Andy and Piper as they uncover a terrifying ritual at their foster mother’s secluded home. With an 89% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and $39.1 million in global box office, Bring Her Back cements the Philippou brothers as modern horror auteurs.
Introduction: A New Benchmark in HorrorFollowing their breakout hit Talk to Me, the Philippou brothers return with Bring Her Back, a film that amplifies their knack for blending visceral horror with emotional depth. Released by Sony Pictures Releasing International, this sophomore effort dives deeper into psychological and body horror, delivering a gut-wrenching experience that’s both disturbing and profound. The story centers on step-siblings Andy (Billy Barratt) and Piper (Sora Wong), who, after their father’s sudden death, are placed in the care of Laura (Sally Hawkins), a foster mother whose warmth masks sinister intentions. With its MA15+ rating in Australia and intense imagery, the film has sparked polarized reactions, with some hailing it as 2025’s scariest film (MovieWeb) and others critiquing its narrative loose ends (Metacritic). Its raw power and Sally Hawkins’ transformative performance make it a must-watch for horror fans.
Plot and Themes: A Descent into Grief and MadnessBring Her Back opens with a haunting VHS clip of a gruesome cult ritual, setting an unsettling tone. After discovering their father dead in the shower, 17-year-old Andy and his partially sighted stepsister Piper are sent to live with Laura, a former counselor grieving her blind daughter Cathy’s drowning. Laura’s home, complete with a triangular empty swimming pool, becomes a claustrophobic stage for horror. Her overly enthusiastic demeanor—described by The Guardian as “creepily matey”—raises red flags, especially when she subtly undermines Andy’s plan to gain custody of Piper on his 18th birthday. Strange occurrences, like Laura snipping their father’s hair at his funeral and watching cryptic VHS tapes, escalate into a terrifying revelation of her occult-driven agenda to “bring her daughter back.”The film explores themes of grief, abuse, and manipulation, with Laura’s actions reflecting a mother’s desperate longing twisted into malevolence. Piper’s visual impairment, used inventively in the script, heightens the tension, as noted by Rotten Tomatoes, while Andy’s psychological unraveling—marked by bed-wetting and gaslighting—adds emotional weight. Critics, like Variety, praise its “hallucinatory domestic nightmare” but note its “spaghetti on the wall” approach, with subplots like the VHS ritual feeling extraneous. The narrative’s ambiguity, while unsettling, leaves some questions unanswered, which may frustrate viewers seeking clarity, as Metacritic points out. Yet, its raw depiction of trauma and loss makes it a compelling character-driven horror.
Performances: Sally Hawkins Steals the ShowSally Hawkins delivers a career-defining performance as Laura, transforming from the warm matriarch of Paddington into a deranged, grief-stricken villain. Her “coy, evasive” acting, as The Guardian describes, dances between maternal warmth and chilling menace, making Laura both pitiable and terrifying. Billy Barratt, as Andy, anchors the film with heart, balancing tenderness and desperation, while Sora Wong, in her debut as Piper, brings authenticity to a visually impaired character caught in Laura’s manipulations. Jonah Wren Phillips, as the mute foster child Oliver, is a standout, his eerie presence and “thousand-yard stare” (The Guardian) adding a creepy edge, with critics like ScreenAge Wasteland predicting a bright horror career.The ensemble’s chemistry amplifies the film’s emotional stakes, though some characters, like Piper, feel underdeveloped, as Flixist notes. The focus on Laura and Andy’s conflict overshadows secondary roles, but the performances remain a strength, carrying the film through its narrative inconsistencies.
Technical Craft: A Masterclass in AtmosphereThe Philippou brothers, with cinematographer Aaron McLisky, create a visually stunning nightmare. The sleek, twisty camera work and detailed close-ups, as Roger Ebert notes, turn Laura’s home into a deceptively cozy trap. The triangular pool, lashing rain, and cracked windscreen serve as metaphors for obfuscation, mirroring Piper’s limited vision. Cornel Wilczek’s “shapeshifting” score, described by The Guardian as demonic, amplifies the dread, with sound design—creaking floorboards, buzzing ambiance—heightening tension. The practical effects, especially in gore-heavy scenes like a knife sequence (Roger Ebert), are skin-crawlingly realistic, pushing the MA15+ rating to its limits.Editing maintains suspense but falters with loose ends, like the cult ritual’s underdeveloped mythology, as Film Ireland critiques. The production design, with its eerie VHS aesthetic and isolated setting, enhances the film’s unsettling vibe, making every frame a study in dread.
Direction and Execution: Bold but ImperfectDanny and Michael Philippou solidify their reputation as horror innovators, weaving familial drama, body horror, and occult thriller elements into a cohesive, if messy, whole (AVForums). Their ability to craft “slo-mo cringe-scares” and “squirm-scares” (The Guardian) sets them apart, but the film’s ambition sometimes outpaces its focus. The emotional depth, particularly around grief, surpasses Talk to Me (The Nerds of Color), yet the narrative’s opacity and reliance on shock over coherence, as Purcell notes, can alienate viewers. The brothers’ punk-like energy, per Reddit, turns familiar tropes into a traumatic experience, but the film’s intensity may overwhelm those expecting lighter thrills.
Audience Appeal and ImpactWith an R rating and a 1-hour-48-minute runtime, Bring Her Back targets hardcore horror fans. Its $39.1 million global gross and 89% Rotten Tomatoes score reflect strong critical and commercial success, though audience reactions vary, with some on Reddit calling it “polarizing” and others hailing it as “2025’s best horror” (MovieWeb). Available for rent on Prime Video and YouTube, its OTT release broadens its reach. The film’s visceral gore and emotional weight make it a one-time watch for some, as ABC News suggests, but its disturbing impact lingers.
Conclusion: A Traumatic TriumphBring Her Back is a bold, unsettling horror film that showcases the Philippou brothers’ mastery of dread and Sally Hawkins’ chilling brilliance. While narrative loose ends and an overemphasis on shock prevent it from surpassing Talk to Me, its emotional depth and visceral scares make it a standout. For horror enthusiasts, it’s a must-see that demands endurance but rewards with a haunting experience. Rent it digitally or catch it in theaters for a gut-wrenching ride.Rating: 4/5
Introduction: A New Benchmark in HorrorFollowing their breakout hit Talk to Me, the Philippou brothers return with Bring Her Back, a film that amplifies their knack for blending visceral horror with emotional depth. Released by Sony Pictures Releasing International, this sophomore effort dives deeper into psychological and body horror, delivering a gut-wrenching experience that’s both disturbing and profound. The story centers on step-siblings Andy (Billy Barratt) and Piper (Sora Wong), who, after their father’s sudden death, are placed in the care of Laura (Sally Hawkins), a foster mother whose warmth masks sinister intentions. With its MA15+ rating in Australia and intense imagery, the film has sparked polarized reactions, with some hailing it as 2025’s scariest film (MovieWeb) and others critiquing its narrative loose ends (Metacritic). Its raw power and Sally Hawkins’ transformative performance make it a must-watch for horror fans.
Plot and Themes: A Descent into Grief and MadnessBring Her Back opens with a haunting VHS clip of a gruesome cult ritual, setting an unsettling tone. After discovering their father dead in the shower, 17-year-old Andy and his partially sighted stepsister Piper are sent to live with Laura, a former counselor grieving her blind daughter Cathy’s drowning. Laura’s home, complete with a triangular empty swimming pool, becomes a claustrophobic stage for horror. Her overly enthusiastic demeanor—described by The Guardian as “creepily matey”—raises red flags, especially when she subtly undermines Andy’s plan to gain custody of Piper on his 18th birthday. Strange occurrences, like Laura snipping their father’s hair at his funeral and watching cryptic VHS tapes, escalate into a terrifying revelation of her occult-driven agenda to “bring her daughter back.”The film explores themes of grief, abuse, and manipulation, with Laura’s actions reflecting a mother’s desperate longing twisted into malevolence. Piper’s visual impairment, used inventively in the script, heightens the tension, as noted by Rotten Tomatoes, while Andy’s psychological unraveling—marked by bed-wetting and gaslighting—adds emotional weight. Critics, like Variety, praise its “hallucinatory domestic nightmare” but note its “spaghetti on the wall” approach, with subplots like the VHS ritual feeling extraneous. The narrative’s ambiguity, while unsettling, leaves some questions unanswered, which may frustrate viewers seeking clarity, as Metacritic points out. Yet, its raw depiction of trauma and loss makes it a compelling character-driven horror.
Performances: Sally Hawkins Steals the ShowSally Hawkins delivers a career-defining performance as Laura, transforming from the warm matriarch of Paddington into a deranged, grief-stricken villain. Her “coy, evasive” acting, as The Guardian describes, dances between maternal warmth and chilling menace, making Laura both pitiable and terrifying. Billy Barratt, as Andy, anchors the film with heart, balancing tenderness and desperation, while Sora Wong, in her debut as Piper, brings authenticity to a visually impaired character caught in Laura’s manipulations. Jonah Wren Phillips, as the mute foster child Oliver, is a standout, his eerie presence and “thousand-yard stare” (The Guardian) adding a creepy edge, with critics like ScreenAge Wasteland predicting a bright horror career.The ensemble’s chemistry amplifies the film’s emotional stakes, though some characters, like Piper, feel underdeveloped, as Flixist notes. The focus on Laura and Andy’s conflict overshadows secondary roles, but the performances remain a strength, carrying the film through its narrative inconsistencies.
Technical Craft: A Masterclass in AtmosphereThe Philippou brothers, with cinematographer Aaron McLisky, create a visually stunning nightmare. The sleek, twisty camera work and detailed close-ups, as Roger Ebert notes, turn Laura’s home into a deceptively cozy trap. The triangular pool, lashing rain, and cracked windscreen serve as metaphors for obfuscation, mirroring Piper’s limited vision. Cornel Wilczek’s “shapeshifting” score, described by The Guardian as demonic, amplifies the dread, with sound design—creaking floorboards, buzzing ambiance—heightening tension. The practical effects, especially in gore-heavy scenes like a knife sequence (Roger Ebert), are skin-crawlingly realistic, pushing the MA15+ rating to its limits.Editing maintains suspense but falters with loose ends, like the cult ritual’s underdeveloped mythology, as Film Ireland critiques. The production design, with its eerie VHS aesthetic and isolated setting, enhances the film’s unsettling vibe, making every frame a study in dread.
Direction and Execution: Bold but ImperfectDanny and Michael Philippou solidify their reputation as horror innovators, weaving familial drama, body horror, and occult thriller elements into a cohesive, if messy, whole (AVForums). Their ability to craft “slo-mo cringe-scares” and “squirm-scares” (The Guardian) sets them apart, but the film’s ambition sometimes outpaces its focus. The emotional depth, particularly around grief, surpasses Talk to Me (The Nerds of Color), yet the narrative’s opacity and reliance on shock over coherence, as Purcell notes, can alienate viewers. The brothers’ punk-like energy, per Reddit, turns familiar tropes into a traumatic experience, but the film’s intensity may overwhelm those expecting lighter thrills.
Audience Appeal and ImpactWith an R rating and a 1-hour-48-minute runtime, Bring Her Back targets hardcore horror fans. Its $39.1 million global gross and 89% Rotten Tomatoes score reflect strong critical and commercial success, though audience reactions vary, with some on Reddit calling it “polarizing” and others hailing it as “2025’s best horror” (MovieWeb). Available for rent on Prime Video and YouTube, its OTT release broadens its reach. The film’s visceral gore and emotional weight make it a one-time watch for some, as ABC News suggests, but its disturbing impact lingers.
Conclusion: A Traumatic TriumphBring Her Back is a bold, unsettling horror film that showcases the Philippou brothers’ mastery of dread and Sally Hawkins’ chilling brilliance. While narrative loose ends and an overemphasis on shock prevent it from surpassing Talk to Me, its emotional depth and visceral scares make it a standout. For horror enthusiasts, it’s a must-see that demands endurance but rewards with a haunting experience. Rent it digitally or catch it in theaters for a gut-wrenching ride.Rating: 4/5