Directed by: Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou
Written by: Danny Philippou and Bill Hinzman
Run Time: 1 hour 44 mins

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It would be unfair to reduce the immense talents of Sally Hawkins to her more twee, innocent and distinctly British roles only. Although, her popular work in the likes of The Lost King (2022), Wonka (2023) and of course Paddington (2014) has seen her adopt a rather quaint image with mainstream audiences. However, in her latest film Bring Her Back, she confirms that any claims of type-casting are completely unfounded.

Following up their breakthrough horror hit Talk to Me (2022), YouTubers-turned-directors Danny and Michael Philippou are back with a brand new nightmare. Their sophomore effort follows 17-year-old Andy (Billy Barratt) and his younger step-sister Piper (Sora Wong), who after a family tragedy are sent to be fostered by former counsellor, Laura (Sally Hawkins). As they attempt to settle into their new home, Andy becomes increasingly unnerved, suspecting that something seriously sinister is going on with Laura’s other, voluntarily mute foster child, Olly (Jonah Wren Phillips).

What follows is a deeply disturbing dissection of grief and the all-consuming effect it can have on those afflicted by it. All the film’s main characters are experiencing it, but in drastically different ways. Piper retreats into herself, struggling to understand the sudden loss of her father. While Andy is haunted by the memory of discovering the tragic scene of his death. Conversely, Laura is further into her journey with grief, continuing to mourn the loss of her young daughter Cathy after a fatal accident some time ago. The overwhelming sense of loss is inescapable, for characters and audiences alike, and the Philippous only extend this entrapment further as they gradually reveal the terrifying reality of Andy and Piper’s new domestic setting.

While Bring Her Back isn’t without the obligatory genre jump scares, its horror is far more multifaceted. There’s a psychological fear at play as Andy begins to see through Laura’s behaviour. Especially unnerving is the might of her manipulative actions in being able to undermine Andy, particularly in terms of his relationship with Piper. While the film’s more grotesque in-your-face horrors are distressing in a distinctly visceral way. The use of practical effects and prosthetics are utilised to particularly upsetting effect, and of course it’s all the more disquieting because these horrors are predominately being inflicted upon children.

With so many juvenile characters, naturally a cast of young actors is required, and what a talented trio Bring Her Back boasts. As Piper, Sora Wong makes a confident debut proving a natural in front of the camera. While as her onscreen brother Andy, Billy Barratt excels. Only just approaching the cusp of manhood, Andy already adopts a protective parental role towards his younger, vision impaired step-sister. And Barratt brings a real duality to this character, demonstrating both his instinctive sibling care but also his own youthful vulnerability. Whereas Jonah Wren Phillips as Olly, offers an intensely physical performance, contributing much of the film’s true terror, with his disconcerting displays of violence creating some of the film’s most unforgettable imagery.

The casting of Sally Hawkins as Laura, the supposedly responsible adult entrusted with the care of these kids is a playful piece of misdirection from the directors. Her aforementioned association with innocence makes her character’s depravity all the more shocking. She conveys Laura’s abuse of power masterfully, steadily chipping away at Andy’s psyche while escalating her unhinged antics to hysterical levels. Yet, amazingly she also provides her character with a lot of heart. Her odious actions make being sympathetic towards Laura unthinkable, however the way Hawkins hones in on her humanity so intently gives her character a profound emotional depth that can’t be denied.

And it’s this combination of earnest human emotion with repulsive visual horror, deftly exploring the different parameters of grief and its ability to ensnare its victims in a deadly cycle of torment, that makes this film such a staggering success. Comparatively speaking, Talk to Me now merely feels like a simple conversation starter, because Bring Her Back confirms that Danny and Michael Philippou are two of the most exciting voices in horror right now, and they’ve clearly got plenty more to say.

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Star Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

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