Bring Her Back Review
Talk to Me directors Danny and Michael Philippou (known online as RackaRacka) really changed the horror movie game in 2022. Their first outing with A24 shocked the world in a gory, gruesome way, but Bring Her Back explores a totally different realm of the genre. Whereas Talk to Me felt more vivacious and supernatural with its party vibes, this film is much more sinister, yet mysterious, as it dives into heavy-handed ideas. With its own assessment around grief and adoptive families, this film is not only RackaRacka’s most emotional film put to screen, but also their most sincere yet.
The film follows Andy (Billy Barratt), a troubled 17-year-old, and his younger foster stepsister Piper (Sora Wong), who’s partially sighted. After a tragic family accident befalls the two, Andy and Piper find themselves adopted by Laura (Sally Hawkins), a caring counselor with a deteriorating home. Despite Andy’s pleas to obtain guardianship for Piper, Laura decides to take a deep interest in Piper due to the loss of her own daughter, Cathy. Though Andy tries to prove to Laura that he’s capable of being a good “big brother”, he grows an increasingly uncomfortable attitude towards her cold personality.
This leads to Andy discovering a truth surrounding Laura’s other foster child, Oliver (Jonah Wren Phillips), one that’s darker than he could’ve imagined.
Given how Bring Her Back is based on an actual experience from the lives of the Philippous, you’d wonder how personal this film actually gets. While there are some sensibilities regarding that, from Piper’s disability to the ways that Andy cares for Piper, they’re utilized perfectly in terms of the narrative. Both Andy and Piper’s arcs flesh out in this way that not only makes them feel realistic, but actually solidifies their foster sibling relationship. This makes Andy and Piper’s dynamic throughout the film incorporate this factor of empathy as the film shows us why they’re like this and how. By integrating this element with the idea of preferred familial treatment as well with Andy and Piper’s history, Bring Her Back successfully establishes its thematic core.
A huge positive of Bring Her Back comes from Sally Hawkins’ performance as Laura. While she’s sweet and sympathetic at the beginning, the way that she transforms into this deranged figurehead is very deliberate. Yet, Laura isn’t fully antagonistic as Hawkins presents Laura with this hint of empathetic desperation to resurrect her daughter. You can’t help but feel sorry, in a way, that Andy and Piper coming into her life is Laura’s last resort to make this happen. Given how this is the first horror film for The Shape of Water star, Hawkins gives an unforgettably petrifying performance that’ll stick with you.
There are so many moments between Andy, Piper, and Laura that really cement their relationship. Whether or be just letting out all their feelings in a drunken dance or that particular funeral scene, you can tell there’s some sincerity that proves Laura’s not fully evil. Still though, Hawkins still captures that cringy awkwardness to Laura with a tee, leaving you weirded out just right.
Jonah Wren Phillips gives the most chilling performance you’ll see in Bring Her Back as Oliver. Although he doesn’t say anything in the film due to his self-imposed mute, the physicality in his character is truly frightening. As he gradually transforms into this grotesque, forcefully created creature, Oliver really drives much of the scary moments of this movie. The Philippous never relent on making him a focal point for some self-inflicted terror and it really shows, particularly midway through.
There’s also this supernatural element in Bring Her Back, if it wasn’t already clear from the cult-like behavior Hawkins’ Laura. However, it never forcefully imposes itself into the narrative, instead letting itself linger at the right moments. This ties in nearly perfectly with Laura’s unhinged behavior as some moments that reveal what she’s really doing are very unsettling. From presenting those paranormally weird VHS tapes to those scenes in Laura’s backyard storage house, this aspect of the film really nails the horror in her desperate attempts at resurrection.
If you’re also expecting a happy ending, the Philippous make it clear that that isn’t the case. The third act in itself, from the build-up of this mental degradation in the previous acts, is strikingly intense with all of those observant shots. Fortunately, it’s more optimistic than Talk to Me and will leave you rightfully sobbing in the end.
Terrifying, yet emotional, Bring Her Back proves that the Philippous can create a deep and powerful story that resonates while still retaining RackaRacka’s classic horror and gore. Even though Bring Her Back is a one-off, it showcases the potential that Danny and Michael Philippou can achieve outside of their usual space in the genre. Although they’re looking to go back to that bubble with Talk to Me, this film will undoubtedly leave a positive impact on what indie filmmakers can do with storytelling in horror.
Bring Her Back releases in theaters on May 30.
Rating: ★★★★
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Christopher Gallardo is a freelance entertainment writer and critic. While not running The Reel Roller, Chris can be found writing reviews and breakdowns on all things films and TV. Outside of entertainment writing, he’s currently taking classes for a Bachelor’s of Science with a minor in Digital Media & Journalism. Plus, he loves Percy Jackson, animated films and shows, and Fallout! Follow Christopher on Instagram & X.