⭐ Bring Her Back Review: A Slow-Burning Nightmare of Grief, Possession & Parental Horror
STORY
Bring Her Back follows orphaned step-siblings Andy (Billy Barratt) and Piper (Sora Wong) as they are placed in the foster home of Laura (Sally Hawkins) — a woman drowning in unresolved grief after losing her daughter, Cathy, to an accidental drowning. Laura’s unsettling fixation on Piper, who resembles Cathy, begins to unravel the fragile stability of the household.
Meanwhile, Oliver (Jonah Wren Phillips), a mute and deeply disturbed foster child, behaves like a creature possessed. Andy slowly uncovers the horrifying truth: Laura is preparing an occult ritual powered by a demon named Tari, possessing Oliver, requiring Piper’s death and the consumption of Cathy’s remains to “bring her back.” The horror escalates into a disturbing, tragic finale, driven by grief, manipulation, and the collapse of Laura’s sanity.
PERFORMANCES
Sally Hawkins delivers a terrifying, heart-wrenching performance as Laura — a broken mother whose grief transforms into monstrous obsession. She portrays Laura with chilling precision, balancing fragility and menace, grounding even the most horrific scenes in emotional truth. Hawkins is the film’s emotional core and its most terrifying force.
Jonah Wren Phillips is a revelation. With almost no dialogue, he creates a haunting physical performance, making Oliver/Tari one of the most unsettling horror presences in recent memory. Billy Barratt’s portrayal of Andy brings quiet resilience and emotional exhaustion, anchoring the narrative with authenticity. His traumatic internal world shapes every decision he makes. Sora Wong provides the film’s rare moments of innocence and warmth, making Piper one of the few characters the audience genuinely fears losing.
TECHNICALITIES
Cornel Wilczek’s score is oppressive, atmospheric, and meticulously tied to the film’s emotional beats. From soft piano to ritualistic percussion and eerie chanting, the music evolves with the story’s descent into occult horror. Aaron McLisky’s cinematography elevates the film’s psychological tension, using varying lenses to reflect characters’ perspectives — sharp clarity for Andy, hazy vulnerability for Piper, distorted terror for Oliver.
Production design makes Laura’s home feel like a suffocating trap, each corner hinting at secrets. makeup and practical effects take center stage, especially Oliver’s grotesque transformation, creating visceral horror without resorting to excessive CGI. The sound design amplifies tension through every creak, thump, and claustrophobic noise, reinforcing the characters’ entrapment.
ANALYSIS
At its heart, Bring Her Back is not just a supernatural horror — it’s a dissection of grief left to rot, mutate, and consume everything around it. The screenplay by Bill Hinzman and Danny Philippou uses restraint, letting dread simmer rather than over-explaining its demon mythology. Laura’s rituals, tapes, and diary entries provide just enough information to unsettle without diluting fear through exposition.
The first half unfolds slowly, deliberately, mirroring gaslighting, psychological abuse, and Andy’s sinking realization that something is horribly wrong. Once the film enters its brutal midpoint — marked by the chilling “kitchen knife” scene — it shifts into gruesome body horror and spiraling chaos.
The final act is relentless, emotionally devastating, and soaked in practical-effects-driven terror. The Philippou brothers showcase immense growth from Talk to Me, choosing lingering dread over flashy scares. Their commitment to practical effects and grounded horror creates a raw, disturbing, immersive experience.
WHAT WORKS
• Sally Hawkins’ masterclass performance
• Jonah Wren Phillips’ terrifying physical acting
• Practical effects that feel painfully real
• Oppressive, perfectly tuned sound design
• Restraint in mythology, allowing dread to grow organically
• Emotionally rich themes of obsession, trauma, and grief
• A final act that is brutally intense and unforgettable
WHAT DOESN’T
• The slow first act may test impatient viewers
• Some scenes may be too disturbing for general audiences
• Minimal explanation of Tari’s lore may frustrate mythology lovers
• Bleak tone leaves little emotional relief
⭐ RATING: 8.7 / 10 — A haunting, emotionally scorching horror film that lingers long after the credits.
🎯 india Herald PERCENTAGE METER — 90%
Horror / Scares: 90%
Performances: 95%
Direction: 88%
Music & Sound: 92%
Practical Effects: 94%
Story & Emotional Depth: 85%
Rewatch Value: 70%
Overall Impact: 90%
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