Bring Her Back

Ok I bought into many of the reviews and went to see this in the theatre. I don't know if these are paid people to post reviews or employees etc, but omg are so many of these reviews uber dramatic and hyperbolic. This is film is a tragedy with horror elements. I will always appreciate those trying to make original film and not just cashing a paycheck for derivative BS, but this movie is average or above average. The pacing isn't fast but it never drags. The acting is probably the true highlight. There are some gory, squirm in your seat scenes, but there's no way to call this movie "scary." And I'm not sure that's what it tried to be- rather many viewers seem bent on labeling this as just a crazy, scary, insane ride. It is not. It does, however, make a strong and emotional statement about loss, grief, and the power of family. My rating compared to most on this site these days will be seen as hating on the film. This isn't the case- I hate rating inflation. This film is worth a watch but you'll be frustrated if you expect the movie that is falsely presented in most of these reviews.

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]

Bring Her Back is a visual horror masterpiece that left me feeling a bit hollow.

I did have an emotional connection with the characters and each actor was on point. However the ending left me wanting way more. I understand visual story telling, and some things are better left unsaid but with this film I needed more exposition.

This movie could have really built some cool lore with the cult elements and the ancient demonic entity, but instead it was pretty much brushed over. I did enjoy the videotapes when we got to see them but I wanted to see how Laura acquired them. That would have been really cool.

The character of Oliver was by far my favorite and every scene he was in he stole the show.

Brother and sister Andy and Piper were great leads and you could really tell they loved each through all of this grief they experienced.

Laura was a wicked person who had her own motives and she definitely had me sympathetic for her at times.

Overall I'd recommend, it's not for the faint of heart. It's dark, bleak and depressing with a beautiful visual paint brush over the lens. The Philippou brothers are technically brilliant and I'm looking forward to any piece of art they decide to put out in the future.

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'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.