Bring Her Back (2025): A Relentless Descent into Grief and Horror

Directed by Danny and Michael Philippou—the creative duo behind Talk to Me (2022)—Bring Her Back is a 2025 Australian supernatural psychological horror film that tackles grief, possession, and child abuse with chilling precision (Wikipedia, Decider, Datebook).

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Plot & Premise

The film centers on orphaned siblings, Andy (Billy Barratt) and his visually impaired half-sister Piper (Sora Wong), who are placed in the care of their new foster mother, Laura (Sally Hawkins), a woman shattered by the loss of her own daughter (Roger Ebert, Decider, Datebook).

Laura’s seemingly caring persona unfolds into a disturbing reality filled with dark rituals, occult symbols, and her mute child Oliver—a quiet and unnerving presence within the household (Decider, Roger Ebert, Datebook).

Themes & Emotional Core

Grief beyond measure: The heart of Bring Her Back lies in Laura’s obsessive need to resurrect her deceased daughter. Her grief transforms into a manipulative force that turns her into a monstrous presence. Victims of her emotional manipulation include Andy, Piper, and Oliver (Cinemablend, Decider, Datebook).

Psychological terror and child abuse: Shadows of trauma lurk in Andy’s protective desperation and Piper’s blindness. Laura’s gaslighting and emotional abuse reach deep into disturbing realism, revealing horror born from human pain rather than just supernatural scares (Cinemablend, Roger Ebert, Datebook).

Cultish eeriness and ritualistic dread: Scattered throughout the film are unsettling cult visuals—grainy camcorder footage of sinister rituals that point to a supernatural conspiracy, heightening the sense of dread (DiscussingFilm, Decider, Roger Ebert).

Cast & Performances

Sally Hawkins (Laura) delivers a hauntingly mesmerizing performance—balancing empathy and menace with unsettling finesse. Critics call it one of her most disturbing, unforgettable roles (The Times, DiscussingFilm, Datebook).
Billy Barratt (Andy) brings heartfelt vulnerability to his role, portraying grief, frustration, and unyielding determination to protect Piper (The Jam Report, Roger Ebert, Cinemablend).
Sora Wong (Piper), despite being a newcomer with no prior acting experience, shines brilliantly as the visually impaired sister, grounded and strong-willed in the face of danger (Datebook, Decider, Wikipedia).

Direction & Cinematography

The Philippou brothers craft a deliberate slowdown: scenes linger, dread simmers, and tension builds organically. There are no jump scares—only calculated unease, slowly peeling back the veneer of safety in a typical domestic setting (Horreur Québec, The Jam Report, Decider, Roger Ebert).

Visually, the film crafts horror in cozily framed everyday environments—living rooms and hallways imbued with ominous stillness. Cinematographer Aaron McLisky uses wide shots and natural light to stage escalating dread in the most unsettling ways (The Jam Report, Roger Ebert, Decider).

Music and Atmosphere

Composer Cornel Wilczek delivers an atmospheric, minimalist score—mournful piano melodies and subtle ambient textures that mirror the emotional undertones without ever overwhelming the tension (The Jam Report, Wikipedia).

Release & Reception

Release: The film hit Australian theaters on May 29, 2025 and worldwide (via A24) starting May 30, 2025 (Wikipedia, Wikipedia, Wikipedia). It began streaming on digital platforms by July 2025 (Rotten Tomatoes, Decider, Wikipedia).
Box Office: It grossed $32.3 million worldwide (approx. $19.3M in US/Canada, $13M internationally) on a $15 million budget (Wikipedia).
Critical Response: Critics responded positively. Rotten Tomatoes lists an 89% critic score and 79% audience score, praising Hawkins’ chilling performance (Rotten Tomatoes). Reviews highlight its emotional weight and haunting atmosphere, with nods to elevated horror touches and powerful direction (Cinemablend, Datebook, Vogue, The Times).

**Why Bring Her Back Stands Out**

Emotionally complex horror—more than gore or shock, it’s about grief, trust, and twisted love.
A unique approach—merging psychological dread with occult horror, yet never fully explaining its supernatural elements (DiscussingFilm, Roger Ebert).
Sally Hawkins’ performance—an unsettling maternal figure with human nuances.
Authentic horror teens can relate to—Andy and Piper feel real, grounded characters amidst surreal desperation.
Stylish, modern horror filmmaking—a minimalist but profoundly unsettling aesthetic.

Conclusion

Bring Her Back (2025) is a compelling, emotionally charged work of modern horror. Directed with maturity and subtlety by the Philippou brothers, it couples deeply disturbing visuals with a profound exploration of loss, manipulation, and psychological terror. This is a must-see for serious horror fans searching for more than mere scares—it’s an emotional journey that lingers long after the credits roll.

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