Bring Her Back

Overview

Bring Her Back is a 2025 Australian supernatural horror film directed by Danny and Michael Philippou, the acclaimed duo behind Talk to Me. This time, they dive deeper into psychological dread, grief, and body horror, telling a chilling story about loss, motherhood, and the dark consequences of trying to cheat death.

Plot Summary

The story follows teenage siblings Andy and his visually impaired sister Piper, who are placed into the care of a mysterious foster mother named Laura after their father’s death. At first, the home seems calm—isolated, quiet, almost too perfect. But soon, Piper begins noticing unsettling things: whispering through vents, strange carvings, and Laura’s eerie, mute foster son Oliver, who appears to be hiding something horrifying.

As the siblings uncover the truth, they realize Laura is not just grieving—she’s performing a forbidden ritual to bring back her own drowned daughter, using Oliver’s body as a vessel. Now, Andy and Piper must escape before they become part of the ritual themselves.

Main Cast

• Sally Hawkins as Laura, the grieving foster mother with a dangerous secret

• Billy Barratt as Andy, the skeptical older brother

• Sora Wong as Piper, the blind younger sister with sharp instincts

• Jonah Wren Phillips as Oliver, the foster son trapped in Laura’s dark plan

Themes & Style

Bring Her Back is drenched in grief and supernatural tension. It explores:

• Parental trauma and denial

• Disability representation, through Piper’s perspective

• Body horror, including disturbing transformations and rituals

• Folkloric occult themes, blending spiritualism with modern horror

Visually, the film uses shadowy interiors, distorted reflections, and decaying family photos to unsettle viewers. Water is a recurring symbol—empty bathtubs, rain, drowned memories—linked to Laura’s loss and obsession.

Critical Reception

Critics praised:

• Sally Hawkins’ terrifyingly tender performance

• Sora Wong’s breakout role, bringing depth and strength to Piper

• The unsettling atmosphere and creative use of practical effects

However, some noted the film’s narrative can feel chaotic in its final act, prioritizing shock over clarity.

Production Notes

• Runtime: 104 minutes

• Language: English

• Country: Australia

• Estimated budget: $15 million

• Box office gross: $23+ million (worldwide)

Final Thoughts

Bring Her Back is a haunting, deeply emotional horror film that balances visceral scares with a tragic, human story. It’s less about jump scares and more about slowly tightening dread. For fans of Hereditary, The Babadook, or Talk to Me, this is a must-watch in 2025.

Warning: Contains graphic body horror, disturbing cult themes, and emotional trauma.