Bring Her Back (2025) is a chilling Australian supernatural horror film directed by the Philippou brothers, Danny and Michael, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Bill Hinzman. Following their successful debut with “Talk to Me,” the Philippous deliver a disturbing and intense narrative centered on grief, loss, and malevolent supernatural forces within a domestic setting.
Tracklist
The story unfolds around Laura (Sally Hawkins), a foster mother whose seemingly benign exterior masks a deeply sinister nature. Laura is caring for foster children Andy and Piper, the latter being blind, and an odd boy named Oliver who exhibits zombie-like behavior. The film opens with unsettling VHS footage of a grisly cult ritual, setting a tone of dread and supernatural horror that permeates the entire movie.
Laura’s obsession with Piper, who she sees as a replacement for her own blind daughter who drowned, drives her to manipulate and isolate the children, particularly turning Piper against her brother Andy. The narrative explores themes of psychological and physical abuse, supernatural control, and the trauma of loss. Oliver, under Laura’s influence, engages in self-harm and disturbing acts, highlighting the film’s brutal portrayal of cruelty and manipulation.
The film does not shy away from graphic and unsettling imagery, including scenes of ritualistic violence, zombification, and intense psychological torment. It uses these elements to craft a horror experience that is as much about the horrors of human cruelty and grief as it is about supernatural terror.
Sally Hawkins delivers a chilling performance as Laura, embodying a “foster mother from hell” with a haunting presence that drives the film’s tension. The young actors portraying Andy and Piper bring depth to their roles, with Andy’s character bearing the brunt of Laura’s psychological torment and Piper showing resilience despite her vulnerability.
The Philippou brothers, known for their innovative and viral filmmaking style, utilize their background in YouTube shorts to create a film that is both visually striking and emotionally impactful. Their approach to horror blends supernatural elements with raw human emotion, making Bring Her Back a compelling and brutal exploration of grief and control.
Bring Her Back (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
- Music not yet available
Bring Her Back Soundtrack – Additional Songs
- Alive – Empire of the Sun
- Boston – Dermot Kennedy
- Freaks – Timmy Trumpet and Savage
- Untouched – The Veronicas
- Broken – Ólafur Arnalds
- Breaking The Circle – The Newmarket Collective, Alex Olijnyk, Cornel Wilczek & Shianne Durdin
The original score for Bring Her Back is composed by Cornel Wilczek, who reunites with the Philippou brothers following their collaboration on “Talk to Me.” Wilczek is an acclaimed Australian composer known for his experimental approach, blending lush acoustic elements with electronic textures to create immersive soundscapes. His work on Bring Her Back enhances the film’s eerie and foreboding atmosphere, using a mix of haunting orchestral arrangements and unsettling ambient sounds to amplify the tension and supernatural menace.
The soundtrack features contributions from soloists such as Michelle Wood (cello) and Ceridwen Davies (viola), alongside a rich orchestration crafted by Mark Buys and Matt Boden. Recorded at Newmarket Studios, the score’s intricate layering and innovative sound design play a crucial role in building the film’s intense emotional and psychological landscape.
