Substitution - Bring Her Back

Bring Her Back is probably one of the most disturbing movies I've ever seen, I certainly didn't expect this movie to be a comfortable watch but in comparison to how I felt walking out of Talk To Me it makes that film look like child's play. It's the sort of film that gets under your skin early and stays there and I honestly wouldn't have had it any other way. The Phillipou brothers are clearly masters of their craft and it's a shame that I don't know if I'll be able to stomach a second watch because I would love to see what new details would reveal themselves on rewatch.

This very much felt like a Jordan Peele film to me in that every new scene contain some small new piece of the larger puzzle, it had my full attention from the very beginning and that's a testament to not only the script but the filmmaking. The directors always felt like they were one step ahead of me and I loved discovering more and more about the larger story they were telling as the film went on. It has such a perfect grasp on its tone and it made me feel horrified and uncomfortable and honestly disgusting at points and it's got some of the most effective uses of violence I've seen in any horror movie. It never felt gratuitous in its content and I think that's because it felt like the film was actually trying to say something meaningful about grief and trauma. The two child performers are astounding but I have to say that the film belongs to Sally Hawkins who gives a performance that I can only describe as a tour de force. She hit every beat of this massively complex character perfectly and it really does feel like that character is what makes the movie because the effective moments that I'll remember mostly come from her. She gives a performance that left me in awe from scene to scene and it's destined to be yet another amazing horror performance that the academy will ignore.

Bring Her Back has a script that's worthy of being studied and examined and it has such a good execution of it's story that I honestly wish it was something I'd come up with myself. Every emotion this movie made me feel felt like exactly what the directors wanted me to and I truly cannot believe how disturb it left me. There are moments and images I don't think will ever fully leave my mind and this a new directing duo that's really worth getting excited about. Sally Hawkins is outstanding, as is all the acting, with a script that feels effortlessly intelligent in how it ties everything together. It's rare that a film with such little chance of a rewatch is a positive for me but in Bring Her Back's case I could not think of higher praise for how truly effective it is.

I've just stepped out of 'Bring Her Back' preview, and I'm still trying to steady my heart rate. For me, it felt like watching early Ari Aster or the original 'Speak No Evil' - that same creeping dread, that slow-burn descent into absolute horror. So tense, so relentless, I genuinely forgot to breathe at points.

The Philippou brothers have done it again. 'Talk to Me' was no fluke - 'Bring Her Back' proves they're not just playing in the horror sandbox, they're shaping it. This film gets under your skin early and doesn't let go.

The performances are excellent across the board (Sally Hawkins is devastating), but what really struck me was the direction. The shots are fantastic - meticulously framed, textured, and always hinting at something sinister lurking just out of frame.

And the gore. OMG, the gore. Not gratuitous, but felt - visceral, unnerving, and timed so well that even I, who usually handles horror like a champ, found myself getting properly squeamish.

The payoff? 100% worth it. Tonally, it sticks the landing. Emotionally bleak, sure, but never cheap. If you love your horror smart, stylish, and genuinely disturbing - this one's for you.

Definitely not disappointed.

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.

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 dives into darkness, but not for cheap scares. It's a layered, slow-burning descent into grief, guilt, and obsession, where horror is a byproduct of emotional unraveling.

The possession element is handled with restraint. The young boy's performance is deeply unsettling, not because of jump scares, but because it feels believable. The mother's arc is the true backbone. Her desperation, unraveling, and gradual revelation give the film its emotional weight.

The horror sequences are disturbing, yes, but they're never the point. What drives the film is a mother's raw need to retrieve what was lost, no matter the cost.

It's not just a horror film. It's a psychological excavation, with more to unpack than it first lets on. A strong, thoughtful entry in the genre.