Bring Her Back Movie Review (Spoiler Free)

A brilliant plot wrapped in slow-burning terror & raw, emotional pain. Featuring magnificent performances from its young leads & an unforgettable turn by Sally Hawkins.

Genre: Drama / Horror / Mystery

Director: Danny Philippou & Michael Philippou

Cast: Billy Barratt, Sora Wong, Sally Hawkings, Jonah Wren Phillips, Stephen Phillips, Mischa Heywood & Sally-Anne Upton.

Run Time: 99 min.

US Release: 30 May 2025

UK Release: 26 July 2025

German Release: 14 August 2025

With Halloween right up the alley this week, I decided to catch up on horror movies released this year. The first review this week is for Bring Her Back. After the success of Talk to Me, which I am a massive fan of, the Philipou Brothers return with their second horror feature! Here they nailed it once again! This time, however, the premise is a bleaker slow-burn. For some, this might be off-putting, but to me it was right up my alley. That said, I still believe that their prior flick is superior. So, enter the ring of insanity with me, as we spiral down the devastating emotions of loss and denial. 

When siblings Andy plus his visually impaired sister Piper lose their father in a mysterious circumstance, they are adopted by their new foster mother, Laura. Secluded from his sister, Andy soon uncovers a terrifying truth at their new home, which puts him in danger.

Written once again by Danny Philippou and Bill Hinzman, the script shines primarily by exploring themes such as grief, loss, as well as the dangers of rejecting natural cycles, illustrated through metaphors of forbidden rituals. The two writers also touch upon the subject of patchwork families with dysfunctional dynamics. At times, this feels more like an intense drama, with the agony being central to the story, highlighting how victims of post-traumatic stress can lead them to make destructive, irrational choices. 

The idea for the plot came to the brothers from personal experience, as they witnessed their cousin go through a painful process of torment after losing a child, plus the strength it took to come back from it. Furthermore, a conversation with a visually handicapped friend about her wish for more independence sparked the focus on symbolism about what people see and don’t see.

As to issues, along the middle, the story follows clichéd tropes, leading audiences to foresee what will happen next. That is subverted again by the third act; unfortunately, it takes away some of its originality. Personally, I thought the story, while haunting, was not as strong as the directing duo’s debut feature. 

Bring Her Back doesn’t rely much on dialogue, which is kept very minimalistic. Conversations are vague, hinting at secrets kept by characters or intentionally misdirecting to create a false feeling of comfort. A plus point, as this horror film relies more on the building of atmosphere.

Sally Hawkins stands out as Laura, the foster mother whose life has been marked by a devastating trauma. Laura is lost in agonising denial, becoming a complex, haunting figure herself. Hawkins delivers a deep, empathetic performance, as Laura’s silent torment pushes her to extraordinary lengths to erase the errors of her past. Her portrayal anchors the movie in authenticity.

Sora Wong is equally compelling, radiating in her feature debut as Piper, optically impaired, yet yearning for more independence. Despite her limitations, Piper’s strength plus intelligence drive much of the film's heart, in particular through her bond with her brother Andy, played by Bill Barrett, who gives another strong performance. Andy, a complex persona, is very protective, though burdened by his own unresolved trauma. His struggle to shield his sister from harm, while confronting his past, adds further psychological textures. 

Finally, Jonah Wren Phillips delivers an unforgettable act as Oliver, Laura’s third foster child. Without relying on dialogue, Phillips utilises physicality alone to create some of this horror's most chilling moments. Oliver is both eerie and mesmerising as a character.

Once again, the brothers worked together with director of photography Aaron McLisky, and the camerawork is as stunning as the previous production. The framing deliberately captures details, just like specific textures that highlight the narrative’s darker themes. Utilisation of rain, fog and shallow visuals is intentionally meant to obscure, just like create a further sense of dread. Nuanced atmosphere, as well as sentiments, are purposely conveyed through its cinematography for a larger, devastating impact. 

Effect-wise, the movie makes use of beautiful but brutal, visceral, practical effects with magnificent makeup to create realistic, shocking segments. The gore serves to maximise the disturbing feeling set by the general tone of the premise, further deepening the exploration of pain. 

The music, composed by Cornel Wilczek, is restrained, barely existent, though it underlines the creeping, growing sensation of unease, building perfect tension. The sound design is phenomenally layered, enhancing the discomfort set by the illustrations on screen.

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Verdict: Danny and Michael Philippou’s latest film is a masterclass of modern horror, manifesting the brothers as experts of the genre. The pacing is deliberately slow, nuanced with visual storytelling and minimal dialogue. The story explores facets of agony, grief, death, just like an unacceptance of the natural order, leading to spiralling, destructive results. The acting is superb, especially by British actress Sally Hawkins, who gives an emotionally unnerving standout performance. Equally, Sora Wong’s acting debut as Piper is strong and incredibly innocent. The camera work is excellent, making use of shallow perspectives to hide things, as well as focusing on specific details, important to the narrative, while the effects are shockingly realistic, once violence kicks in. In the end, Bring Her Back is absolutely effective in what it sets out to accomplish, having stayed with me long after I visited the cinema. Not as strong as Talk to Me, but it also deserves an 8.0  out of 10. 

If you are a fan of horror, I do highly recommend this one! It's devastating, though very rewarding! Thank you as always for reading!