Verdict: 4/5
‘Bring Her Back’ is the newest film by Adelaide-born twin filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou.
It follows the story of orphaned siblings Andy (Billy Barratt) and Piper (Sora Wong) who are placed in a foster home after their father’s unexpected death.
Their foster mother Laura (Sally Hawkins) is eccentric and unnervingly friendly. She is haunted by the loss of her own daughter and immediately clings onto Piper. She also has a son named Oliver (Jonah Wren Phillips), a mute boy who exhibits unsettling behaviour.
Andy is fiercely protective of his vision-impaired half-sister and tensions grow as Laura’s intentions begin to take a sinister shape.
There are so many things I love about this film. The South Australian setting nodding to the directors’ roots; the amazing acting from every cast member keeping me hooked on the plot; the eeriness created through dialogue and pacing – not through jump scares; and the emotional exploration of grief and love.
I was fully absorbed in the film from start to finish, other than when I had to look away to protect my delicate eyes from body horror scenes.
Although I enjoyed ‘Bring Her Back’, I do have some lingering questions, particularly about Laura. I would have benefited from an exploration of her backstory – particularly about how she came into possession of the video tapes she watches repeatedly.
But that’s as far as my criticism goes. The cinematography was beautiful, recurring motifs foreshadowed upcoming events, and the special effects were convincing enough for me to squirm in my chair.
This one is for the Australian cinema buffs and those looking for something a bit deeper in a supernatural horror.
See this movie at Hoyts Penrith.
Ally Hall
Ally Hall joined the Weekender in 2024, and focuses on entertainment and community stories. She's a graduate of the University of South Australia and has previously worked as a Video Journalist with Southern Cross Austereo and as a News Reader with Australian Radio Network.