Bring Her Back Movie Review: This is a 2025 Australian supernatural horror movie featuring Billy Barratt, Sora Wong, and Sally Hawkins. It was released in Australian cinemas by Sony Pictures Releasing International on 29 May 2025.
The story is about two step-siblings who get caught up in a dark ritual meant to bring their foster mother’s dead daughter back to life.
Plot Summary
Bring Her Back is a 2025 Australian supernatural horror film that follows two step-siblings, Andy and Piper, as they are placed in a new foster home after a family tragedy. While Piper adjusts well, Andy grows suspicious of their eccentric foster mother and her unsettling household, which includes a mute and disturbed nephew.
As Andy begins to notice strange behavior, eerie rituals, and chilling secrets, he uncovers a sinister plan rooted in the supernatural. The film explores themes of grief, trauma, and the dangers of blind trust, gradually building a disturbing and atmospheric story filled with psychological tension and haunting twists.
A Harrowing Descent into Dread
Bring Her Back Movie Review: Bring Her Back is not a horror film that offers comfort, escapism, or even a sense of cathartic release. It’s a bleak, visceral, and emotionally pummeling experience that drags you into its nightmarish world and refuses to let go. The Philippou brothers, known for their breakout Talk to Me, return with something far darker, far more devastating—and ultimately unforgettable.
From the moment the film begins to reveal its malevolent core, there’s a suffocating grip that tightens with each passing scene. This is horror at its most emotionally raw and physically unsettling.
At the heart of this hellish tale is Sally Hawkins, delivering a performance that’s difficult to even describe without venturing into spoiler territory. Suffice it to say, she is an absolute force—unsettling, heartbreaking, and unnervingly powerful. Her portrayal is steeped in both pain and terror, making it one of the most compelling performances in the genre in recent memory.
Technically, the film is a masterclass in atmosphere. The cinematography is laced with foreshadowing—each frame meticulously constructed to maintain a constant undercurrent of dread. The visuals are not just there to unsettle; they tell a story all their own, dripping with ominous details that only deepen the film’s haunting effect.
The Philippou brothers’ direction has matured in the most disturbing way. Where Talk to Me had moments of levity and teen-centered accessibility, Bring Her Back is a descent into pure emotional and psychological chaos. It’s unflinching, brutal, and intentionally unresolved. They aren’t interested in clean arcs or tidy conclusions—they want to leave you raw and disturbed.
And let’s talk about the gore. The practical effects are staggeringly intense. It’s astonishing that the film only received an MA15+ classification in Australia; some scenes push the boundaries of what’s bearable even for hardened horror aficionados. The violence escalates to shocking degrees, but never gratuitously—every wound, every scream, every horror serves the story’s emotional core.
In the shadow of Bring Her Back, Talk to Me feels like a casual, even fun genre outing. This new film is a slow-burn spiral into darkness—less about jump scares and more about emotional trauma and spiritual decay. By the time the credits roll, you’re not just frightened; you’re exhausted, shaken, and quietly devastated.
A visual slow-burn that’s highly disturbing
While Talk to Me delivered its fair share of creepy imagery and crowd-pleasing chills, it leaned more toward popcorn-style horror. With Bring Her Back, the Philippou brothers shift gears, embracing a more mature, serious, and artistic vision—and the result is an ambitious, if imperfect, follow-up that solidifies their place as genre talents to watch.
The film’s first 30 minutes are a slow burn, prioritizing character development over scares. While this setup feels slightly bloated and could benefit from tighter editing, it ultimately pays off once the story kicks into gear.
Instead of relying on conventional jump scares, Bring Her Back masterfully builds tension through mood, unsettling visuals, and emotional weight. It’s visually striking and often deeply disturbing, with cinematography that lingers in your mind long after the film ends.
The performances across the board are excellent, with a standout turn that anchors the film’s emotional core. This is horror with depth—designed not just to scare, but to unsettle and linger.
Verdict
Bring Her Back is a harrowing watch—one that will leave you sick to your stomach, emotionally gutted, and unable to shake its grip long after you leave the theater. It’s not for everyone, but for those who can stomach it, this might just be one of the most disturbing and emotionally resonant horror films in years.
Trailer
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