Substitution - Bring Her Back

This is a horror movie that doesn't have to rely on jumpscares; it doesn't have to rely on possession or creepy rituals, even though it's got both. And gore; I had to look away in one scene in particular. The actual horror is the all-too believable manipulations of a foster mother with a hidden agenda, and our feeling of powerlessness to stop her. This was the kind of film that it would be excruciating to have to leave before seeing the end, because it makes you care about its characters so much. You'll probably even finding yourself root for the villain. This is the best horror movie I've seen in a while and it stuck with me for days.

83/100

Bring Her Back is one of those rare horror films that hit both emotionally and technically. The story is intimate and unsettling, but it's the execution that makes it stand out.

First, Sally Hawkins delivers a phenomenal performance - raw, layered, and painfully real. She holds the entire film on her shoulders with such precision and emotion that it's honestly Oscar-worthy. I couldn't help but think of Hereditary (2018), where Toni Collette also gave a mind-blowing performance but was completely snubbed by the Academy. Let's hope history doesn't repeat itself.

Atmosphere is tense from the very first scene. The film masterfully builds dread without relying on cheap jump scares. The cinematography is elegant and intimate, often using close shots and cold tones to create a feeling of claustrophobia and grief. Sound design and music are subtle but deeply effective - at times you don't even notice them, but they're working in the background, crawling under your skin.

This is not just another horror flick. It's thoughtful, beautifully acted, and full of emotional weight. Highly recommended if you appreciate horror that respects your intelligence.

From the very first scenes, the film sets a heavy unsettling tone. From the beginning, the story doesn't really try to hide much I think you kind of understand where it's going early on. It's not particularly scary in the traditional sense, but it really messes with your nerves, and that's where the movie puts all its power.

It never really lands anywhere specific though...By the time the credits roll, you're left thinking, "All that... for nothing?". Not because it was a bad film, but because it left you with an emotional emptiness. It lingers in a sad, slightly disappointing way not from poor storytelling, but from how little it seemed to leave behind.

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]

I loved the acting , specially of Sally. Between moments you'd feel like you'd wanna punch her ,that's how good her acting is. Jonah tries his best for some sprinkle of horror, everytime he's on screen, he'd make sure you feel uncomfortable. Loved this movie for particularly the characters. The brother sister love is all over the movie.

It's not particularly horror, it's dark and depressing along with some gore elements sprinkled on top. Wait for the first half an hour for the character development and it takes off and never feels like a drag. No jump scare, wonderfully shot and the background score beautifully compliments the gore nature.

I'd recommend this movie wholeheartedly to everyone and would rate it a solid 8/10.