From Danny and Michael Philipou, the filmmakers who brought us the horror sensation Talk to Me, comes a masterstroke of a movie that ups the ante when it comes to disturbingly dark cinema. Although Bring Her Back is not exactly an enjoyable film, it is a movie that deserves respect for its dedication to delivering unrelenting dread and insanity. Because it is probably the most shocking and unnerving film released this year, I doubt any other movie can dethrone it as the top horror film of the year.
Andy (Billy Barratt) and Piper (Sora Wong) are siblings forced into foster care after the untimely deaths of their parents. Because they are so close, they manage to stay together when they get placed under the care of their foster mother, Laura (Sally Hawkins). Although Laura seems somewhat sweet and caring, something doesn’t feel right about her and her mute son, Oliver (Jonah Wren Phillips). As the two siblings get to know Laura and Oliver better, they eventually realize that they are in grave danger.
This movie blew me away. The Philippou brothers have managed to outdo themselves with an even darker and more disturbing film than Talk To Me. The movie’s central theme is about death and the way people cope with the losses of people close to them. Bring Her Back is a horrific reflection of the dark side of this issue. It focuses on how some people become obsessed and fixated on the desire to undo what cannot be undone. I want to say more, but this would dilute the film’s shocking impact.
The Philippou brothers do an exceptional job of creating a dark and horrible atmosphere, but they never resort to heavy-handedness. The cast is fantastic, with Sally Hawkins delivering an uncharacteristically frightening turn. This movie is not for horror fans seeking a rollercoaster ride. Bring Her Back is a film for the diehard horror folk looking to be shocked and frightened.