Bring Her Back Delivers a Haunting Blend of Grief and Psychological Horror

Australian twin filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou, best known for their breakout hit movie Talk to Me (2022), return with their second feature, Bring Her Back. This time, the duo shifts away from visceral shock toward a more restrained and atmospheric exploration of trauma, grief, and obsession.

The story centers on teenage siblings Andy (Billy Barratt) and Piper (Sora Wong), who are placed in foster care after their father’s sudden death. They move in with Laura (Sally Hawkins), a seemingly compassionate former social worker mourning the loss of her daughter. Beneath her outward warmth, however, lies a disturbing plan that gradually ensnares the siblings in a suffocating web of grief-driven ritual.

Adding to the unease is Oliver (Jonah Wren Phillips), a silent foster child whose presence in the siblings' home heightens the film’s eerie, oppressive mood. Hawkins delivers a career-defining performance, twisting her trademark gentleness into something menacing and unhinged. Critics have praised her ability to blur empathy with quiet malevolence, creating a character both sympathetic and terrifying.

Barratt and Wong anchor the film with a believable sibling bond, with Wong’s portrayal of the visually impaired Piper earning particular acclaim for its emotional authenticity.

Critics note that Bring Her Back thrives on slow-burning dread and psychological depth, presenting grief as both a universal pain and a dangerous obsession. While some argue the film lacks the adrenaline-fueled momentum of the Philippous’ debut, citing pacing dips and narrative gaps in its midsection, its thematic richness and unnerving atmosphere leave a lasting impression.

With an 89% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 75/100 Metascore, Bring Her Back may divide audiences, and confirms the Philippou brothers as daring voices in contemporary horror.