Kritiken

While the Australian director brothers’ 2022 debut Talk to Me proved a youthful horror hit in its own right, their followup explores some of the same themes of grief and trauma through a much darker, more personal narrative that leaves viewers with a sense of both dread and hope.

Anchored by a terrific Sally Hawkins, [Bring Her Back] firmly cements the [Philippous] as fresh, interesting voices in the over-saturated, often cookie cutter horror market... [Hawkins] consistently keeps you on your toes – part Paddington’s mum, part Annie Wilkes, part Pazuzu, she delivers a real tour de force.

[Bring Her Back] is a gigantic and successful leap into the abyss for the Philippous from their 2023 debut, Talk to Me... At no point does it feel like a pale imitation or re-run as the script by Danny and longtime collaborator Bill Hinzman... has an unexpected maturity to it.

While “Talk to Me” was a svelte thriller with supernatural elements, “Bring Her Back” has a bit of a “spaghetti on the wall” feel, throwing lots of ominous visuals and ideas at the audience in the hopes one of them will push the right scare buttons.

The good news: The Philippous somehow survived the experience of becoming the flavors of the month. The even-better news: They’ve delivered a sophomore feature that both proves they’re not one-hit wonders and that they’re capable of mixing things up.

The Philippous have a real gift for composing viscerally disgusting moments that will be tough for even a hardened horror fan to shake. That’s what makes their trudge toward the other side of the genre somewhat of a surprise—it’s a grasp at seriousness from a duo who have previously thrived most when they’re having fun.

“Bring Her Back” doesn’t take the viewer’s attention for granted. It’ll play like gangbusters in a crowded theater and you should watch it there to appreciate its excellent use of surround sound. But the Philippous seem exceptionally aware of the risk that home viewers might reach for their remote. And so their creeping dread moves with momentum.

The movie’s forceful visual shocks (executed mostly with practical effects) are easier to bear than its restlessly mounting anguish... “Bring Her Back” operates from a core of tragedy whose weight offsets the nebulousness of the plot... I’m beginning to think that the Philippous don’t just want to shatter our nerves: They want to break our hearts.

“Bring Her Back” is not the kind of horror movie that promises grue and doesn’t deliver, and when the carnage comes, it is fulsome, fleshy and wet... The Philippous are clearly still young enough to think modulation and moderation are for weenies.

The film doesn’t quite earn the emotional catharsis it seems to be striving for. It’s a little too insane and also underdeveloped, especially Piper’s character, to let the audience in on that level. But if you’ve come for unexpected scares and creativity, “Bring Her Back” will not disappoint.

There’s no doubting this film’s art, craft and impact, although I did leave the cinema wondering whether I was a richer person for having experienced it, or in some way irrevocably tarnished.

Once again exhibiting a knack for mournful horror punctuated by sudden, jarring jabs of gruesomeness, the Australian duo’s latest is a nightmare whose accomplished tone, pace, drama, and scares trump any minor narrative hiccups... [Bring Her Back] firmly establishes the filmmakers’ place near the head of the contemporary horror class.