Written by Sam Clark 

Certificate: 18 

Running time: 104 minutes 

Director: Danny Philippou, Michael Philippou 

I am of the age and generation who remember Danny and Michael Philippou (aka ''RackaRacka'') breaking onto the scene on YouTube. The two Australian YouTubers specialized in short films involving all manner of practical and physical stunts, as well as an abundance of action and violence, brought to incredible life through exceptional makeup. The highlight of their career would be collaborating with YouTube giants ‘’The Sidemen’’, one of which short films received twenty million views. However, it never occurred to me how well they would fit in Hollywood as legitimate filmmakers. All they had to do was bring their unique expertise and experience to the big screen and they were set. It wasn't until 2022's Talk to Me that they officially demonstrated what they could actually do. Given their background, anything to do with action/horror was perfect for them, as they could make the physical action and gore as convincing as they want. It shows that any filmmaker can come from any background.  

Talk to Me blew me away, and despite being released the same year as Barbie and Oppenheimer, this small horror indie was able to beat two Hollywood behemoths for my favourite and best film. Unsurprisingly, I have been eagerly anticipating what they do next, but as excited as I am, this means my nerves were turned up even more so. Now Bring Her Back is finally here, I can proudly proclaim this is one of the best horror films I have ever seen; the Philippou's are a new voice in horror cinema. 

Image credit: IMDb / A24 

The less I say about Bring Her Back, the better. We follow two siblings, Andy (Billy Barratt) and his visually impaired sister Piper (Sora Wong). After their father's sudden and tragic death, Andy (still 17) manages to convince social services to keep them together. As a result, they are placed in a foster home with Laura (Sally Hawkins) who is also caring for another child named Oliver (Jonah Wren Phillips), a mute child who looks as though he is hiding a dark secret. Laura's behaviour towards Andy grows increasingly more strange throughout the course of the film, and it is not long before he discovers her true intentions; something that is far darker and more disturbing than he could have possibly imagined. 

 I must confess that I struggled to write this review, to try and attempt to put into words just how speechless I was left during and after Bring Her Back and just how much I loved it. I worry and fear that I will not be able to do the film enough justice, but rest assured I have the desire and dedication to try my best - even then that may not be enough, but I must accept that as I can only do so much with words written on a page. But that just shows how speechless I am. Given the circumstances, my eyes were glued to the screen all throughout the film, analysing and examining every frame like a hawk. 

Not only is Bring Her Back is a masterfully intelligent horror film, but as a piece of cinema, it is crafted with such precision from filmmakers who demonstrate that they know what they are doing. In an odd sense, this is not the all-out shocker you may expect, certainly compared to Talk to Me. Yes, those elements are in there and when they finally poke their head out, they make themselves known in stomach turning fashion and then some; but I'll come to that. 

Image credit: IMDb / A24 

But before that, there is quite a fair bit of build-up and anticipation before the horror kicks in, and that is why the film excels. For a story about grief, depression and death, I don't think I have ever seen it done this well before. It properly takes the time to appropriately yet powerfully address these themes with incredible technique that stays with you, and that is exactly why I love horror, the emotion is heart wrenching (by far the saddest horror film I have ever seen). The film has a sense of patience, and the way in which the Philippou's have orchestrated that is so memorable. 

This is also a nasty and deeply, deeply, deeply troubling and alarming film, the likes of which I hope even the most hardcore of horror buffs would be taken aback by. But the mourning period in the film is carried out with such delicacy this proved to me that these guys know how to make proper cinema and how to make it feel genuinely authentic, as well as being able to make a cracking good piece of delicious horror. The framing, direction and cinematography is exceptionally well done.  

But, as I expected from its 18 certificate going in and being aware of their past work, when it comes time to put your hands over your eyes, I'd strongly advise you do. This is not for the squeamish and I cannot stress that enough. As was the case with Talk to Me you have never seen a horror film utilize physical violence like this, there are no other directors in this genre who will be able to do it as well as the Philippou brothers can or ever have; mark my words. The way they make it look and capture it in camera is staggeringly impressive, I have never seen it this well done which just adds to the experience. Granted, it wasn't the first time I'd heard gasps of shock in an auditorium, but it was still music to my ears. I hope the rave reviews this has received garner attention. Horror films have always notoriously been snubbed by the Oscar's, but I will be devastated if this does not get some form of recognition. Hand on heart, I've never seen a piece of horror more deserving than this. 

Image credit: IMDb / A24 

Sally Hawkins is a frightening force of nature here, I've never seen an individual as spine-chillingly creepy as she is here (certainly a strong departure from her cuddly, cardigan demeanour from Paddington- talk about range). Needless to say, she is my first serious first contender for Best Actress, so much so that I could go as far to say there's no point seeing the competition, but that of course wouldn't be fair. Billy Barratt and Jonah Wren Phillips are also extraordinary, and boy have they got a future ahead of them.  

Bring Her Back is absolutely everything I want from horror cinema and why I love it. I want to be shocked, and I want something that stays with me, not only after the credits have rolled, but for years and years to come. The Philippou brothers are here, and they are here to stay.  

In cinemas Friday 26th of July