User reviews

83/100

Bring Her Back is one of those rare horror films that hit both emotionally and technically. The story is intimate and unsettling, but it's the execution that makes it stand out.

First, Sally Hawkins delivers a phenomenal performance - raw, layered, and painfully real. She holds the entire film on her shoulders with such precision and emotion that it's honestly Oscar-worthy. I couldn't help but think of Hereditary (2018), where Toni Collette also gave a mind-blowing performance but was completely snubbed by the Academy. Let's hope history doesn't repeat itself.

Atmosphere is tense from the very first scene. The film masterfully builds dread without relying on cheap jump scares. The cinematography is elegant and intimate, often using close shots and cold tones to create a feeling of claustrophobia and grief. Sound design and music are subtle but deeply effective - at times you don't even notice them, but they're working in the background, crawling under your skin.

This is not just another horror flick. It's thoughtful, beautifully acted, and full of emotional weight. Highly recommended if you appreciate horror that respects your intelligence.

I've just stepped out of 'Bring Her Back' preview, and I'm still trying to steady my heart rate. For me, it felt like watching early Ari Aster or the original 'Speak No Evil' - that same creeping dread, that slow-burn descent into absolute horror. So tense, so relentless, I genuinely forgot to breathe at points.

The Philippou brothers have done it again. 'Talk to Me' was no fluke - 'Bring Her Back' proves they're not just playing in the horror sandbox, they're shaping it. This film gets under your skin early and doesn't let go.

The performances are excellent across the board (Sally Hawkins is devastating), but what really struck me was the direction. The shots are fantastic - meticulously framed, textured, and always hinting at something sinister lurking just out of frame.

And the gore. OMG, the gore. Not gratuitous, but felt - visceral, unnerving, and timed so well that even I, who usually handles horror like a champ, found myself getting properly squeamish.

The payoff? 100% worth it. Tonally, it sticks the landing. Emotionally bleak, sure, but never cheap. If you love your horror smart, stylish, and genuinely disturbing - this one's for you.

Definitely not disappointed.

This is a horror movie that doesn't have to rely on jumpscares; it doesn't have to rely on possession or creepy rituals, even though it's got both. And gore; I had to look away in one scene in particular. The actual horror is the all-too believable manipulations of a foster mother with a hidden agenda, and our feeling of powerlessness to stop her. This was the kind of film that it would be excruciating to have to leave before seeing the end, because it makes you care about its characters so much. You'll probably even finding yourself root for the villain. This is the best horror movie I've seen in a while and it stuck with me for days.

From the very first scenes, the film sets a heavy unsettling tone. From the beginning, the story doesn't really try to hide much I think you kind of understand where it's going early on. It's not particularly scary in the traditional sense, but it really messes with your nerves, and that's where the movie puts all its power.

It never really lands anywhere specific though...By the time the credits roll, you're left thinking, "All that... for nothing?". Not because it was a bad film, but because it left you with an emotional emptiness. It lingers in a sad, slightly disappointing way not from poor storytelling, but from how little it seemed to leave behind.

I'm not one to usually write reviews, but after catching an advanced screening of the Philippou brothers new entry into the horror genre, I just had to praise what I witnessed.

First off, this film is definitely not for the faint hearted, nor is it a horror film to particularly get enjoyment out of. It's bleak, extremely visceral, unrelenting and really emotionally devastating ... but in the best ways horror can be!

As soon as the movie starts revealing its evil side, it takes hold of you and doesn't let go.

All the actors portrayed their characters with emotional and realistic excellence, but Sally Hawkins was just unmatched. It's hard to really describe her performance without getting into spoiler territory, but she couldn't have done a better job at being so unnerving & emotionally powerful, both at the same time.

The cinematography was incredible, with heaps of little foreshadowing details sprinkled throughout the film. So many of the shots were precisely made to convey & ooze that feeling of uneasiness/dread, which just adds that extra layer to the film's atmosphere.

Speaking of the atmosphere, the Philippou brothers sure know how to pack a punch with their direction. While there is still a deeply emotional and brutal story at play here, the brothers don't mind having loose ends here and there & instead, they are more after that gut-wrenching, stomach-churning horror experience as a whole.

That brings me to the practical effects... Somehow, this film got a classification of only MA15+ in Australia, and that just baffles me in the best way possible.

After 'Talk To Me', I was expecting some pretty skin-crawling gore & practical effects, but boy oh boy, I wasn't expecting this.

This film just ramps up the violence on every level and is done so in a way that will have even the hardcore horror fans wincing, incredible stuff!

In all, this movie makes their debut film 'Talk To Me' come across as a fun horror movie to watch after 'Bring Her Back', just to wind down.

It's a slow burn descent into hell & by the end of the film, actually ends up being one of the more depressingly sad/emotional horror films I've seen in some time.

It will make you feel sick, sad & terrified, all at the same time.

Well done RackaRacka !

After the success of "Talk To Me," Danny and Michael Philippou teamed up again to make "Bring Her Back." This movie had a lot of buzz when it came out, but I never got around to seeing it until recently. Starring Billy Barratt, Sally Hawkins, and Sora Wong, this movie is about a pair of siblings moving to a foster home after their dad died. However, some things don't seem to be normal at their new home.

It is a type of movie that I suggest going into blind, so you can get the best experience. It is a story that has been seen before, but it's done in a unique way. Horror this year has been giving us a lot of good original stories. The gore and effects were disturbing and gnarly. The effects seemed practical, but if they weren't, the CGI was great. I found the characters to be interesting and well-acted. Sora Wong is actually visually impaired in real life, but she was able to emote and connect to the scene really well. There were many tense situations due to her character's condition. Billy Barratt was a strong protagonist who had a compelling character arc mostly. Sally Hawkins was the standout, however. Her character had a different mask for each character she interacted with.

From the beginning of the movie, there were rules set about certain things. The movie follows those rules loosely, especially in the third act, but it was never explained why these rules existed. There was a lot of ambiguity involved that allowed the movie to go where it did. The third act also seemed to fizzle out. I was let down by how weakly the movie ended. We never got a satisfying ending to the stories of multiple characters, but this is also due to how poorly they handled one of the main characters toward the end. There was a setup that they never capitalized on. It is almost like the studio said there had to be some positivity in this movie, so they threw it in at the very end.

Overall, "Bring Her Back" was a decent movie exploring grief. The gore and horror elements were very good, but the film dragged on in what should have been a simple ending. I would only recommend this to horror fans.

BRING HER BACK was everything I hoped it would be. It will absolutely nauseate thousands of people. While many will recognize it's greatness, an equal amount will call it "a terrible movie" because it will so effectively fill them with intensely negative feelings throughout it's entire runtime, as it intends to do, and as most of the greatest horror movies of all time do. It is utterly brutal, and wholly unnerving, with the power to sicken and traumatize. There are plenty of movies that feature relentless amounts of brutal violence, but BRING HER BACK manages to disturb on a deeper level, likely by way of the great majority of it's brutality occurring amongst children (and, kids who are being manipulated by an adult, on top of everything else). It is painful to watch things unfold, and that's what makes it a truly effective horror film.

I took a chance on the directors' first film TALK TO ME when it hit theaters a couple of years ago, and was blown away. Not only was it fiercely original with it's concepts and it's vibe, but it was more fun than the majority of horror films, and got WAY more cruel and intense than I was expecting in its second half. When I saw the trailer for this, I knew it was highly likely they would be taking the cruelty even further, and that is precisely what they have done.

Casting lead Sally Hawkins in this role is the most brilliant casting utilization I have seen this year thus far. She is most commonly known as playing heartwarming characters (like Paddington's adoptive mother), but here, as the villain she is utterly terrifying - I think that knack for playing warm characters adds to the horror of her character immensely, and with these elements combined it leads to by far the best performance I've ever seen by her - fully gut-wrenching. All of the kids that fill out of the rest of the cast were phenomenal as well. I can't even imagine being Jonah Wren Phillips and playing the poster boy character Oliver - the role is so colossally intense, it makes me wonder if it's going to effect him in reality for the rest of his life - I feel like it will have to in some form.

Beyond all else, it's clear that the Philippou brothers are intelligent people. They know how to dig into the audiences psyche with such precision, and one of the key ways they do that is by keeping their films rich with a level of psychological depth that a great majority of horror films are missing nowadays. The movie is brimming with dramatic themes that are the type of things that deeply traumatize children in reality - taking this and rounding it out with some truly hellish supernatural ideas and visual horror, and you have the recipe for an absolutely devastating horror film. I was also impressed with the level of emotive resonance that this brutal film managed to conjure during its finale - I was on the verge of tearing up, and that is very rare for horror. The only reason I don't give it a 10 out of 10 is because I know it will simply be too dark and brutal for a huge chunk of the population, it doesn't exactly cater to repeat viewings.

Bring Her Back" is the second feature film and horror movie made by the Philippou brothers. After their recent hit Talk to Me really blew me away with expert filmmaking, storytelling, hidden details, and strong characterization, I was excited to see their new movie and whether they could repeat that success. In this film, we follow a brother and his stepsister who are sent to live with a foster mother after their father dies. However, something strange is going on, and with the brother's troubled past and the sister's limited vision, their investigation into what is happening in their new home becomes increasingly difficult.

I can confidently say that the Philippou brothers did not create a one hit wonder with their debut film because Bring Her Back is an amazing cinematic experience filled with visceral bloody carnage and emotional depth. The movie has a tense atmosphere and some genuinely suspenseful moments that manage to scare without relying on cheap jump scares or tired genre tropes.

Even for someone like me who has rated over 3,000 horror films on IMDb, this movie was able to surprise me in several ways. While it becomes clear fairly early where the story is heading, it never felt boring or too predictable. The film features excellent cinematography and strong performances from the entire cast. The characters are interesting and multi-dimensional, and although the themes of trauma and grief are common in the genre, the Philippou brothers introduce them in a fresh and compelling way. "Enjoyable" might not be the right word given the dark themes and brutal violence, but the film does not shy away from showing the horrifying things that can be done to the human body.

One thing that could have enhanced the experience even further would have been more background information. The movie opens with found footage of a ritual, and I would have loved to learn more about the backstory behind how everything came to be.

Even though supernatural horror is not my favorite subgenre because it is filled with lazy films and generic scripts, Bring Her Back managed to both entertain and scare. It is a memorable addition to the genre and has me genuinely excited to see what Danny and Michael do next. I am especially happy for them since I have followed them since their chaotic YouTube days as "RackaRacka," and now they are creating well crafted and horrifying films for the big screen. [6.9/10]

I initally didn't like Bring Her Back as much as I hoped I would, but upon rewatch, I enjoyed it a lot more. I think part of the problem was the movie wasn't exactly what I was expecting, and I didn't see it for what it is: character drama with horror elements.

Sally Hawkins plays quite literally one of the most evil and despicable characters I've ever seen. Her selfishness and cruelty is even more striking upon rewatch. I actually felt that we should've seen the fim from her perspective, but I was wrong: we do. The movie is pretty clear about where it's going and the manipulative web she entraps Piper (Sora Wing) and Andy (Billy Barratt) in.

Hawkins gives one of the year's best performances, and so much of the story works because she conveys so much through it. She is a deeply sad character whom on some level, we can all understand, but man, she is unbelievably evil.

Billy Barratt's Andy is a deeply complex and unbelievably tragic character. Rewatching it, it's truly devastating what Laura puts him trhough and so sad knowing his deeply traumatizing past. His performance is also a real highlight.

Jonah Wren Phillips is a source of much of the film's horror, and he really gives a great physical performance as well. Enhanced by some truly incredible makeup and visual effects.

This is not an easy film to watch. This film depicts abuse against children both physically and psychologically, self harm, and cannibalism. This is a seriohs horror film and very dreadful. It's not for the faint of heart.

On a rewatch, the disturbing imagery and slow burn work really, really well. I caught things I hadn't before; like how the cinematography and set dressing (the taxidermy, the constant rain) and costumes (especially with Piper). The movie actually does have a quite self assured nature about its lore and communicates it well. The "demon" in the film is unique and interesting; so voracious to the point of eating inanimate objects, the way Laura's grief consumes her.

I will say though, there is a decision Laura makes towards the end of the film that feels a bit contrived and unrealistic. It makes sense though, I mean the alternative would be VERY grim, and by the final Act with mostly blind Piper, Laura, and Oliver...man, do we need some relief.

This is a heavy film and I think its pace and shocking nature make it hard to really digest on one watch. This is an incredible film. The Phillipou brothers have really outdone themsleves with this sophmore effort. I still think I prefer Talk to Me, but man, this one is definitely one of the decade's best horror films.

I still think the ending couldn'

I would highly highly recommend you to watch this movie at home and not to spend your money to watch this in theatres. The movie is extremely mid and people are glazing/over-hyping it like crazy.

After seeing the reviews on IMDB, I was very excited to watch this movie considering people rated this an 8/10. This was a waste of time and money. I read a review and I agree. Gore is not horror.

I don't even normally do reviews but this movie is super boring and slow I have to warn other people. The buildup is unnecessarily long and nothing is explained in the movie. They had so much potential but blew it.

Bring Her Back is a misguided attempt at horror that mistakes gratuitous gore for genuine scares. There's no real tension or atmosphere, just a relentless barrage of blood meant to shock rather than disturb. At its core, the film is about a woman who deceives and manipulates foster children, but it fails to turn that premise into anything remotely frightening.

The so-called cult storyline is paper-thin, relying on grainy VHS footage that feels more lazy than nostalgic. I've seen people call this a masterclass and ask how anyone will ever top it, but to me, it was painfully dull, uninspired, and unoriginal.

The cinematography is nothing special, despite what some claim. This isn't elevated horror, it's mediocre filmmaking disguised as something bold, but it's really just torture porn with no substance.

I'm a fan of the Philippou brothers' work on "Talk to Me". While that film had plenty of creepy imagery, it still felt more like a fun, popcorn-style horror experience. That's why I was genuinely excited to hear about "Bring Her Back"-these are the kinds of follow-ups where you really see what directors are made of.

"Bring Her Back" takes a more serious and artistic approach to horror than Talk to Me. The first 30 minutes are dedicated to character development, which felt a bit slow and could have been tighter in editing. However, once the story gains momentum, it really takes off.

Rather than relying on cheap jump scares, this film builds tension through atmosphere and unsettling imagery. It's beautifully shot, often disturbing, and the acting performances are excellent. Definitely worth seeing in theaters.

I loved the acting , specially of Sally. Between moments you'd feel like you'd wanna punch her ,that's how good her acting is. Jonah tries his best for some sprinkle of horror, everytime he's on screen, he'd make sure you feel uncomfortable. Loved this movie for particularly the characters. The brother sister love is all over the movie.

It's not particularly horror, it's dark and depressing along with some gore elements sprinkled on top. Wait for the first half an hour for the character development and it takes off and never feels like a drag. No jump scare, wonderfully shot and the background score beautifully compliments the gore nature.

I'd recommend this movie wholeheartedly to everyone and would rate it a solid 8/10.

I never write reviews, especially because I'm a cinematic enthusiast and just rate it and move to the next one, but this one... THIS ONE. The acting? Absolutely brilliant. This is definitely the best cinematography I've ever seen. I'm feel related to the directors in the sense that I'm so proud of them. The fact that you can go from filming youtube videos to creating something of this level, is proof that dreams can come true. I'm a geek for practical effects and this surpasses almost everything I've seen. I cringed, I laughed, I cried, and I was reminded to always live every moment like it's your last. Hug your loved ones today.

Went to a mystery movie showing and right before going someone predicted it would be this and I was really hoping they were wrong. The movie felt longer than it was. It had too many hanging threads left unanswered. For just a moment I had a glimmer of hope near the end that they would do something memorable but then the makers of the movie didn't have the nerve to deliver.

A good thing the movie has going for it is that the child actors manage to not be terrible and are actually decently good. It has a couple of funny slapstick moments though they tend to break up intense moments so don't know if they were intentional or not.

Bring Her Back dives into darkness, but not for cheap scares. It's a layered, slow-burning descent into grief, guilt, and obsession, where horror is a byproduct of emotional unraveling.

The possession element is handled with restraint. The young boy's performance is deeply unsettling, not because of jump scares, but because it feels believable. The mother's arc is the true backbone. Her desperation, unraveling, and gradual revelation give the film its emotional weight.

The horror sequences are disturbing, yes, but they're never the point. What drives the film is a mother's raw need to retrieve what was lost, no matter the cost.

It's not just a horror film. It's a psychological excavation, with more to unpack than it first lets on. A strong, thoughtful entry in the genre.

Violence and gore: severe. That's what the warning says here on IMDb and that was completely right. There are some scenes that might shock the audience, mostly because they look real and hurtful. So credits for the makers of those bloody scenes, that's what made this horror movie stand out from the rest. The story itself was also pleasant to follow. Well pleasant might be the wrong word as the story is quite disturbing, but the story is good for a horror movie. Sally Hawkins plays the character everybody will hate, unless there's something wrong with you, and she did a good job, as well as the rest of the cast. A more than decent horror movie, that's been awhile...

Original plot, creepy, engaging. I am truly shocked this has 7.2 stars at the time of my rating of this movie. Another review said this movie doesn't rely on jump scares and I wholly agree. The movie is suspenseful and creepy I can't really think of another movie like it. The movies play on grief gives it depth and the plot and relationships between all of the characters makes for a horror movie that does more than just try to scare you but actually gives the audience a story to follow. I love a horror movie with an actual plot that "makes sense" and I think this movie does just that. I enjoyed this movie a great deal as someone who enjoys a good horror flick!

So I went to see this one on a bored work-day. I just got back from the theaters about 40 minutes ago. Overall - the RT percentage for this movie is way too high, but it's still an OK and watchable film

What I like: the protagonists Andy and Piper are both likable (though Andy is ultimately the one for the audience to get behind because Piper has a limiting handicap). There are some creepy moments, particularly involving the little boy Ollie. For a horror, the movie still has some lofty ambitions, with messages about grief and motherhood. Lastly, the movie doesn't explain the granular details about the mother's demonic ritual, such as the rules and origins; but I like that decision. The less we know, the creepier it is

Regardless, I find a bunch of faults .... as I said, the movie has some creepy moments, particulaly involving Ollie; but the scares are spaced between some very dry and slow portions. At numerous points, I found the film had an overreliance on the gross. Some scenes are unnecessarily graphic, in other words. There wasn't, for example, a legitimate need for us to see exposed male genitalia, and certain bloody scenes would've had the same effect if they were toned down ... visually, the movie is quite drab, and rather than make the film more somber or ominious, this visual style made the film an eyesore

I don't wish to spoil, but the ending is unsatisfying and un-memorable, getting a little too bleak in multiple respects. Overall - the same movie could have happened, basically, as a pure mystery-drama instead of a horror if you made some minor adjustments, like taking out the gore and eliminating Ollie's creepy appearance.

6.0/10.

The Philippou's brothers have again created a spellbinding horror film chock full of heavy themes, real characters and terrifying moments.

The brothers are arguably the best in the current horror game. Bring her Back reads more as a psychological thriller mixed with moments of true terror. The strength of the characters, the family bond and heavy themes all blend perfectly to create one hell of a ride.

The brother's style is so profound, the imagery, recurring motifs and downright brutal moments is something to relish. I love how we actually care about those on screen. Smart characters played by great actors that don't make any dumb decisions.

When the film really turns up a gear in the final act it never stops. Unafraid of breaking boundaries and playing it easy. It goes full force right until the end.

This is a must watch.

I enjoyed 'Talk To Me' and I love Sally Hawkins so I went into 'Bring Her Back' with high hopes. Sally Hawkins certainly did not disappoint. Her performance is astonishing. Her part and the entire script is quite brilliant but with a glaring flaw. Beyond all the astonishing and original events that take place during the film, a viewer is left wondering why things are happening, while characters are simply reacting to the horrific events. Because none of the characters are attempting to solve the mysterious motive of these events, there is no pull for the audience to experience the absolute horror depicted vicariously. So I was never at the edge of my seat and was disengaged throughout. The film generally was a near miss for me. I recommend it for the virtue of its inventive plot but it is simply not truly scary.