Dir: Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou
Cast: Billy Barratt, Sora Wong, Jonah Wren Phillips, Sally-Anne Upton, Stephen Phillips, Mischa Heywood, Sally Hawkins
Sally Hawkins’ disturbed and grieving foster parent takes in two unsuspecting teenagers in this grim and unsettling supernatural body horror from the twins behind 2022’s “Talk to Me”
The movie industry is notoriously fickle, causing many talented young filmmakers to miss out on opportunities in Hollywood due to a lack of faith from financially driven production companies. However, one company that has been instrumental in promoting a new wave of arthouse filmmakers is A24. For over a decade, A24 has been producing exceptional films by emerging directors and writers, helping to launch the careers of highly regarded filmmakers such as Greta Gerwig, Ari Aster, Robert Eggers, and Oscar winners Sean Baker and The Daniels.
Among the successful newcomers are the Philippou brothers, Daniel and Michael, who made a significant impact in the horror genre with their debut film, “Talk to Me”, released in 2022. Having previously created comedy-horror shorts through their YouTube channel, RackaRacka, the Australian twins leveraged their passion for the genre to infuse their feature film with the energy, violence, and dark humor that gained them a following online. “Talk to Me” explores themes such as drug addiction and social pressures through the lens of the demonic possession subgenre. The film became one of the sleeper hits of 2022, grossing $100 million against a modest budget of $4.5 million.
Following the success of their debut, there has been much speculation about the brothers’ next project, with rumours suggesting they are in talks to direct a modern theatrical adaptation of the video game “Street Fighter” and possibly join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Three years on from their debut feature, the brothers continue to stick to their horror roots with their sophomore feature, “Bring Her Back”, which I was fortunate enough to catch at an advanced screening ahead of its early August release here in the UK.
Similar to their debut feature, “Bring Her Back” is set in the brothers’ hometown of Adelaide and follows teenage step-siblings Andy (Billy Barratt) and Piper (Sora Wong), who have recently become orphans after the sudden death of their father in the shower. With only a few months to go until his eighteenth birthday, Andy isn’t yet old enough to apply for guardianship of his partially-sighted younger sister. As a result, they have no choice but to be placed in the care of an eccentric foster parent, Laura (Sally Hawkins).
Having lost her blind daughter, Cathy, in a drowning accident in her backyard pool, Laura’s home is specially designed to accommodate Piper’s disability, making her feel immediately welcome. However, Andy faces continuous undermining from Laura, who questions his mental state and suggests he may not be fit to be Piper’s legal guardian when he reaches adulthood.
Also under Laura’s care is another foster child, Oliver (Jonah Wren Phillips), who Laura claims has been mute since Cathy’s accident. Oliver’s strange behavior begins to unsettle Andy, while the sheltered Piper remains oblivious. As Laura’s treatment of Andy escalates, he starts to suspect that something sinister may be at play regarding his new foster mother’s intentions. He also grows increasingly concerned about Oliver, who remains locked in his room and becomes more irate and aggressive as the days go by.
Danny and Michael Philippou set a remarkably high standard with their first feature three years ago, and impressively, the twins have surpassed their previous effort by creating one of the most unforgettable and unsettling horror movies in recent memory. “Talk to Me” showcased some of the more comedic and fun elements of the siblings’ YouTube work. The core cast of teenagers mostly enjoyed adolescent antics—until the exploitation of spiritual possession takes a dark turn. These moments of levity brought some light to what was otherwise a very dark and disturbing film, making it more palatable for cinemagoers, particularly those who typically distance themselves from the horror genre.
However, “Bring Her Back” sees Danny and Michael doubling down on the darker aspects of their storytelling. The film features a deeply disturbing narrative that instills a sense of dread and unease from the moment our young protagonists first encounter their new foster mother. Aside from a few lines that remind us of Andy and Piper’s youth and naivety, which provide minor chuckles, the film is incredibly bleak and will likely be a tough watch even for the most avid horror aficionados.
Despite being a genre that is willing to push boundaries, there remains an unspoken taboo in horror films regarding harm to children. Now, just two films into their early filmmaking career, the Philippou brothers have shown they are not afraid to depict horrific supernatural occurrences or acts of graphic violence inflicted upon children. This is a bold decision that will undoubtedly turn away some audiences, but in a film like “Bring Her Back”, which focuses on child abuse and grief, it is crucial for delivering the film’s central themes. The loss of a loved one and the resultant resentment towards those nearby have been explored before in another Australian horror film, Jennifer Kent‘s “The Babadook”. However, while Kent’s film opted for a more psychological approach, “Bring Her Back” aims to shock its audience, emphasizing the stark reality of child abuse.
In its several bursts of gore and body horror, the creative team has produced some of the most impressive practical effects I have seen in recent years, particularly regarding facial and oral injuries inflicted on one of the characters, which may leave you feeling queasy in the cinema. The violence and psychological manipulation depicted may not align with conventional horror scares, but it would not be an exaggeration to say “Bring Her Back” is one of the most disturbing films I have encountered in recent years. Yet, there is also a warmth and emotional weight that shines through, thanks to the chemistry and performances of the teenage co-leads, Billy Barratt and Sora Wong.
Barratt has a few acting credits to his name, and this role will undoubtedly be a major breakout for the 18-year-old, as his character Andy embodies the frustrations and unease the audience is likely to feel while watching the film. Wong, a newcomer who auditioned for the role after her mother found an open casting call on Facebook, displays an impressive performance that belies her lack of experience. She adeptly holds her own alongside Barratt, despite her visual impairment.
The true star of “Bring Her Back”, however, is seasoned actress Sally Hawkins, who portrays the unhinged and grief-stricken Laura. Like Barratt, Hawkins does an incredible job of nailing an Australian accent despite being from the UK. Known for her natural warmth and kind sensibilities, Hawkins is often cast in lovable and caring roles, as seen in films like “Paddington”, “Wonka”, “The Shape of Water”, and “Happy-Go-Lucky”, here though, her acting strengths are utilised for a very different effect. On the surface, Laura appears to be a loving maternal figure who genuinely cares for Piper, but Hawkins’ natural motherly presence cleverly manipulates her disabled foster daughter by exploiting her visual impairment, while simultaneously creating a divide between Piper and her step-sibling, Andy. This sick and twisted role is something I never imagined being portrayed by someone like Hawkins, but it may turn out to be one of the standout performances of her illustrious career.
The Verdict:
Traumatic and shocking yet deeply emotionally engaging, the second feature film by Australian twins Danny and Michael Philippou remarkably surpasses their impressive debut “Talk to Me”. While the extreme depictions of body horror, particularly affecting children, as well as the bleak themes surrounding child abuse, may be overwhelming for some viewers, “Bring Her Back” solidifies the brothers’ standing as a significant voice in the horror industry.
Bring Her Back will start showing in UK Cinemas from 1st August
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