Bring Her Back is an Australian horror movie directed by Danny and Michael Philippou, with a screenplay by Danny Philippou and Bill Hinzman. The film features performances by Billy Barratt, Sora Wong, Jonah Wren Phillips, among others. It was released in Australian theaters by Sony Pictures Releasing International on May 29, 2025, and is also available for streaming on HBO Max.
The film’s premise follows two step-siblings who, after the sudden death of their father, become orphans and find themselves caught in the midst of an occult ritual orchestrated by their new foster mother.
Bring Her Back is a horror film that strikes a powerful emotional and technical chord. It’s bleak, intensely visceral, disturbing, and unrelenting. While the story itself is unsettling, it’s the film’s execution and distinctive writing that truly set it apart. The characters are complex and multi-dimensional, and although themes of trauma and grief are familiar within the genre, the Philippou brothers present them in a fresh and compelling way. The movie unfolds as a slow burn, gradually descending into pure horror with raw and relentless storytelling. Lead actress Sally Hawkins delivers a phenomenal performance-raw, nuanced, and deeply authentic.
The writing, directing, and cinematography are exceptional, with shots carefully framed and textured to constantly suggest something sinister lurking just beyond view. This isn’t your typical horror film, rather than relying on jump scares, the terror arises from the chillingly believable manipulations of a foster mother harboring a hidden agenda. What makes it even more compelling is how you can’t help but empathize with her pain.
Bring Her Back is the Philippou brothers’ second feature film and horror project following Talk to Me. While there are a few scenes where I wished they had spent more time developing the backstory, these moments are minor and don’t detract from the overall experience. If you’re a horror fan like me, this film is definitely a must-watch.
