June 9, 2025
Fractured Bonds: The Twisted Family Dynamics in 'Bring Her Back'
In this episode of *Movies First*, we dive into the chilling world of *Bring Her Back*, the latest horror feature from the Philippou brothers, Danny and Michael, who captivated audiences with their debut film, *Talk to Me*. Set in their native South Australia, this gripping tale follows the harrowing journey of two siblings, Piper, a nearly blind girl, and her older stepbrother Andy, as they navigate the aftermath of their father's tragic death and the looming threat of separation by social services.
The film explores the complexities of sibling bonds against a backdrop of eerie suspense, as the siblings are placed with Laura, a former social worker whose caring facade slowly reveals a darker side. With standout performances from Sally Hawkins as the twisted Laura, and young actors Billy Barrett and Sora Wong portraying the vulnerable siblings, the film masterfully intertwines emotional depth with horror elements.
What sets *Bring Her Back* apart is its originality, steering clear of typical horror tropes while delivering a uniquely terrifying narrative. The film's gradual unfolding of tension keeps viewers engaged, as disturbing visions and gruesome scenes amplify the sense of dread. The exceptional sound design plays a crucial role in establishing an ominous atmosphere, enhancing the film's chilling experience from the very start.
With a commendable score of 7.5 out of 10, this film proves that the Philippou brothers are not just a flash in the pan but emerging talents in the horror genre, showcasing their ability to craft original narratives that push boundaries. Join us as we dissect the film's themes, performances, and technical achievements, while preparing for the stomach-churning moments that define this haunting tale.
https://www.bitesz.com/podcast/movies-first
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WEBVTT
0
00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.800
Chris: The Philippou brothers, Danny and Michael, fresh off
1
00:00:02.800 --> 00:00:05.280
their successful supernatural horror debut
2
00:00:05.520 --> 00:00:08.080
Talk to Me, return with another chilling feature
3
00:00:08.080 --> 00:00:10.680
titled Bring Her Back. Shot in their
4
00:00:10.680 --> 00:00:13.320
hometown of South Australia, this new terror
5
00:00:13.320 --> 00:00:16.279
venture showcases their evolving mastery of the
6
00:00:16.279 --> 00:00:19.240
horror genre. Though the brothers relocated to
7
00:00:19.240 --> 00:00:22.240
the United states in early 2019, they
8
00:00:22.240 --> 00:00:25.040
maintain strong ties to their Australian roots,
9
00:00:25.770 --> 00:00:28.010
choosing to continue filming in their native country.
10
00:00:28.890 --> 00:00:30.970
The story centers on two siblings,
11
00:00:31.290 --> 00:00:34.210
Piper, a nearly blind girl who
12
00:00:34.210 --> 00:00:36.970
can only perceive shapes and light, and her
13
00:00:36.970 --> 00:00:39.890
older stepbrother, Andy. Despite her
14
00:00:39.890 --> 00:00:42.610
disability, Piper refuses to use a
15
00:00:42.610 --> 00:00:45.450
cane, determined not to be treated differently.
16
00:00:46.010 --> 00:00:48.890
Their lives take a devastating turn when they discover their
17
00:00:48.890 --> 00:00:51.700
father dead in the shower, leading to
18
00:00:51.700 --> 00:00:53.620
potential separation by social services.
19
00:00:54.660 --> 00:00:57.220
A sympathetic social worker named Wendy
20
00:00:57.380 --> 00:01:00.340
offers hope, suggesting Andy could apply for
21
00:01:00.340 --> 00:01:03.220
guardianship when he turns 18 in three months and
22
00:01:03.220 --> 00:01:05.780
in the interim, works to keep the siblings together.
23
00:01:06.580 --> 00:01:09.460
The plot thickens when the siblings are placed with Laura,
24
00:01:09.460 --> 00:01:12.220
a former counselor who worked in social services for two
25
00:01:12.220 --> 00:01:15.100
decades. Laura, still grieving the loss of her
26
00:01:15.100 --> 00:01:17.760
daughter Kathy, who drowned at Piper's age, already
27
00:01:17.760 --> 00:01:20.480
fosters a peculiar mute boy named Oliver.
28
00:01:21.200 --> 00:01:24.200
While initially appearing caring, Laura's darker
29
00:01:24.200 --> 00:01:27.120
nature gradually emerges. She keeps Oliver
30
00:01:27.120 --> 00:01:29.920
under strict surveillance, even locking him in his
31
00:01:29.920 --> 00:01:32.520
room when she leaves the house. The
32
00:01:32.520 --> 00:01:35.290
situation worsens as, she attempts to drive a
33
00:01:35.290 --> 00:01:38.010
wedge between Piper and Andy. While Andy
34
00:01:38.010 --> 00:01:40.610
experiences disturbing visions of their
35
00:01:40.610 --> 00:01:43.610
father and unexplained bedwetting incidents
36
00:01:44.160 --> 00:01:46.640
that leave him increasingly confused and
37
00:01:46.640 --> 00:01:49.160
distressed. Written by Danny
38
00:01:49.160 --> 00:01:51.720
Filippo and Bill Hinsman, the film
39
00:01:51.720 --> 00:01:54.480
distinguishes itself through its originality,
40
00:01:54.880 --> 00:01:57.800
avoiding common horror tropes in favor of
41
00:01:57.800 --> 00:01:59.920
its own unique and frightening premise.
42
00:02:00.720 --> 00:02:03.360
The narrative complexity unfolds gradually,
43
00:02:03.840 --> 00:02:05.920
keeping audiences engaged throughout.
44
00:02:06.720 --> 00:02:09.720
The evil underbelly of the story manifests
45
00:02:09.720 --> 00:02:12.490
itself through bloody and and gruesome scenes,
46
00:02:13.210 --> 00:02:16.210
making it clear this isn't a horror film for the faint of
47
00:02:16.210 --> 00:02:19.210
heart. The plot takes its time to unravel,
48
00:02:19.850 --> 00:02:22.850
building tension and mystery rather than rushing to
49
00:02:22.850 --> 00:02:25.610
reveal its secrets. Sally Hawkins
50
00:02:25.610 --> 00:02:28.330
delivers a compelling performance in an unusually dark
51
00:02:28.330 --> 00:02:31.010
role, demonstrating her versatility as an
52
00:02:31.010 --> 00:02:33.930
actor through her portrayal of the twisted Laura.
53
00:02:34.250 --> 00:02:36.730
The young actors Billy Barrett and Sora Wong
54
00:02:37.160 --> 00:02:39.080
bring remarkable depth to their characters,
55
00:02:39.560 --> 00:02:42.320
Barrett effectively portraying Andy's confusion and
56
00:02:42.320 --> 00:02:44.800
frustration, and Wong capturing
57
00:02:44.800 --> 00:02:47.720
Piper's vulnerability and yearning for nurture.
58
00:02:48.200 --> 00:02:51.160
The supporting cast adds significant weight to the story,
59
00:02:51.560 --> 00:02:54.440
with Jonah Wren Phillips delivering a haunting performance
60
00:02:54.840 --> 00:02:57.680
as the tortured and terrifying Oliver, while
61
00:02:57.680 --> 00:03:00.480
Sally Ann Upton brings a pragmatic touch to her
62
00:03:00.480 --> 00:03:01.720
role as Wendy.
63
00:03:02.530 --> 00:03:05.250
A standout element of Bring Her Back is its
64
00:03:05.250 --> 00:03:08.090
exceptional sound design, which plays a crucial role
65
00:03:08.090 --> 00:03:10.930
from the very beginning. The film opens with a
66
00:03:10.930 --> 00:03:13.850
blank screen where audio alone sets the ominous
67
00:03:13.850 --> 00:03:16.850
tone, immediately establishing the importance of
68
00:03:16.850 --> 00:03:19.810
sound in the narrative. Throughout the movie,
69
00:03:20.130 --> 00:03:22.610
background sounds are deliberately amplified,
70
00:03:23.250 --> 00:03:25.650
keeping viewers on edge and contributing
71
00:03:25.730 --> 00:03:28.450
significantly to the atmosphere of unease.
72
00:03:29.350 --> 00:03:31.590
This careful attention to the aural experience
73
00:03:32.150 --> 00:03:35.070
creates a palpable sense of dread that persists
74
00:03:35.070 --> 00:03:37.990
throughout the film. The technical mastery extends
75
00:03:37.990 --> 00:03:40.790
beyond just sound. With the overall production quality
76
00:03:40.790 --> 00:03:43.350
matching the high standards set by their debut,
77
00:03:43.750 --> 00:03:46.510
the Philippou Brothers demonstrate their growing confidence
78
00:03:46.510 --> 00:03:49.110
behind the camera, crafting scenes that build
79
00:03:49.110 --> 00:03:51.510
tension while delivering the shocking moments.
80
00:03:51.750 --> 00:03:54.710
Horror fans expect the film's ability
81
00:03:54.710 --> 00:03:57.670
to maintain its threatening atmosphere while developing complex
82
00:03:57.670 --> 00:04:00.360
character relationships, and shows significant
83
00:04:00.600 --> 00:04:02.920
maturity in their filmmaking approach.
84
00:04:03.800 --> 00:04:06.280
This sophomore effort from the Philippou Brothers
85
00:04:06.520 --> 00:04:09.480
showcases their ability to craft original horror
86
00:04:09.480 --> 00:04:11.960
narratives that don't rely on established
87
00:04:11.960 --> 00:04:14.840
formulas. With its MA rating and a
88
00:04:14.840 --> 00:04:17.800
score of 7 1/2 out of 10, bring her back
89
00:04:18.200 --> 00:04:21.080
proves that the director's success with Talk to Me was
90
00:04:21.080 --> 00:04:23.680
no fluke, firmly establishing them as
91
00:04:23.680 --> 00:04:26.040
emerging talents in the horror genre.
92
00:04:26.890 --> 00:04:29.530
However, viewers should be prepared for some stomach
93
00:04:29.530 --> 00:04:32.370
churning gore as the film doesn't shy away from
94
00:04:32.370 --> 00:04:34.330
graphic content in service of its story.
95
00:04:34.810 --> 00:04:37.610
Alex: You've been listening to movies first available
96
00:04:37.690 --> 00:04:40.010
at Apple Podcasts, Spotify,
97
00:04:40.250 --> 00:04:42.970
iHeartRadio or your favourite podcast
98
00:04:42.970 --> 00:04:44.730
player. You can also stream on
99
00:04:44.730 --> 00:04:47.450
demand at bitesz.com. This Has been another
100
00:04:47.450 --> 00:04:49.530
quality podcast production from
101
00:04:49.530 --> 00:04:50.650
bitesz. com.
0
00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.800
Chris: The Philippou brothers, Danny and Michael, fresh off
1
00:00:02.800 --> 00:00:05.280
their successful supernatural horror debut
2
00:00:05.520 --> 00:00:08.080
Talk to Me, return with another chilling feature
3
00:00:08.080 --> 00:00:10.680
titled Bring Her Back. Shot in their
4
00:00:10.680 --> 00:00:13.320
hometown of South Australia, this new terror
5
00:00:13.320 --> 00:00:16.279
venture showcases their evolving mastery of the
6
00:00:16.279 --> 00:00:19.240
horror genre. Though the brothers relocated to
7
00:00:19.240 --> 00:00:22.240
the United states in early 2019, they
8
00:00:22.240 --> 00:00:25.040
maintain strong ties to their Australian roots,
9
00:00:25.770 --> 00:00:28.010
choosing to continue filming in their native country.
10
00:00:28.890 --> 00:00:30.970
The story centers on two siblings,
11
00:00:31.290 --> 00:00:34.210
Piper, a nearly blind girl who
12
00:00:34.210 --> 00:00:36.970
can only perceive shapes and light, and her
13
00:00:36.970 --> 00:00:39.890
older stepbrother, Andy. Despite her
14
00:00:39.890 --> 00:00:42.610
disability, Piper refuses to use a
15
00:00:42.610 --> 00:00:45.450
cane, determined not to be treated differently.
16
00:00:46.010 --> 00:00:48.890
Their lives take a devastating turn when they discover their
17
00:00:48.890 --> 00:00:51.700
father dead in the shower, leading to
18
00:00:51.700 --> 00:00:53.620
potential separation by social services.
19
00:00:54.660 --> 00:00:57.220
A sympathetic social worker named Wendy
20
00:00:57.380 --> 00:01:00.340
offers hope, suggesting Andy could apply for
21
00:01:00.340 --> 00:01:03.220
guardianship when he turns 18 in three months and
22
00:01:03.220 --> 00:01:05.780
in the interim, works to keep the siblings together.
23
00:01:06.580 --> 00:01:09.460
The plot thickens when the siblings are placed with Laura,
24
00:01:09.460 --> 00:01:12.220
a former counselor who worked in social services for two
25
00:01:12.220 --> 00:01:15.100
decades. Laura, still grieving the loss of her
26
00:01:15.100 --> 00:01:17.760
daughter Kathy, who drowned at Piper's age, already
27
00:01:17.760 --> 00:01:20.480
fosters a peculiar mute boy named Oliver.
28
00:01:21.200 --> 00:01:24.200
While initially appearing caring, Laura's darker
29
00:01:24.200 --> 00:01:27.120
nature gradually emerges. She keeps Oliver
30
00:01:27.120 --> 00:01:29.920
under strict surveillance, even locking him in his
31
00:01:29.920 --> 00:01:32.520
room when she leaves the house. The
32
00:01:32.520 --> 00:01:35.290
situation worsens as, she attempts to drive a
33
00:01:35.290 --> 00:01:38.010
wedge between Piper and Andy. While Andy
34
00:01:38.010 --> 00:01:40.610
experiences disturbing visions of their
35
00:01:40.610 --> 00:01:43.610
father and unexplained bedwetting incidents
36
00:01:44.160 --> 00:01:46.640
that leave him increasingly confused and
37
00:01:46.640 --> 00:01:49.160
distressed. Written by Danny
38
00:01:49.160 --> 00:01:51.720
Filippo and Bill Hinsman, the film
39
00:01:51.720 --> 00:01:54.480
distinguishes itself through its originality,
40
00:01:54.880 --> 00:01:57.800
avoiding common horror tropes in favor of
41
00:01:57.800 --> 00:01:59.920
its own unique and frightening premise.
42
00:02:00.720 --> 00:02:03.360
The narrative complexity unfolds gradually,
43
00:02:03.840 --> 00:02:05.920
keeping audiences engaged throughout.
44
00:02:06.720 --> 00:02:09.720
The evil underbelly of the story manifests
45
00:02:09.720 --> 00:02:12.490
itself through bloody and and gruesome scenes,
46
00:02:13.210 --> 00:02:16.210
making it clear this isn't a horror film for the faint of
47
00:02:16.210 --> 00:02:19.210
heart. The plot takes its time to unravel,
48
00:02:19.850 --> 00:02:22.850
building tension and mystery rather than rushing to
49
00:02:22.850 --> 00:02:25.610
reveal its secrets. Sally Hawkins
50
00:02:25.610 --> 00:02:28.330
delivers a compelling performance in an unusually dark
51
00:02:28.330 --> 00:02:31.010
role, demonstrating her versatility as an
52
00:02:31.010 --> 00:02:33.930
actor through her portrayal of the twisted Laura.
53
00:02:34.250 --> 00:02:36.730
The young actors Billy Barrett and Sora Wong
54
00:02:37.160 --> 00:02:39.080
bring remarkable depth to their characters,
55
00:02:39.560 --> 00:02:42.320
Barrett effectively portraying Andy's confusion and
56
00:02:42.320 --> 00:02:44.800
frustration, and Wong capturing
57
00:02:44.800 --> 00:02:47.720
Piper's vulnerability and yearning for nurture.
58
00:02:48.200 --> 00:02:51.160
The supporting cast adds significant weight to the story,
59
00:02:51.560 --> 00:02:54.440
with Jonah Wren Phillips delivering a haunting performance
60
00:02:54.840 --> 00:02:57.680
as the tortured and terrifying Oliver, while
61
00:02:57.680 --> 00:03:00.480
Sally Ann Upton brings a pragmatic touch to her
62
00:03:00.480 --> 00:03:01.720
role as Wendy.
63
00:03:02.530 --> 00:03:05.250
A standout element of Bring Her Back is its
64
00:03:05.250 --> 00:03:08.090
exceptional sound design, which plays a crucial role
65
00:03:08.090 --> 00:03:10.930
from the very beginning. The film opens with a
66
00:03:10.930 --> 00:03:13.850
blank screen where audio alone sets the ominous
67
00:03:13.850 --> 00:03:16.850
tone, immediately establishing the importance of
68
00:03:16.850 --> 00:03:19.810
sound in the narrative. Throughout the movie,
69
00:03:20.130 --> 00:03:22.610
background sounds are deliberately amplified,
70
00:03:23.250 --> 00:03:25.650
keeping viewers on edge and contributing
71
00:03:25.730 --> 00:03:28.450
significantly to the atmosphere of unease.
72
00:03:29.350 --> 00:03:31.590
This careful attention to the aural experience
73
00:03:32.150 --> 00:03:35.070
creates a palpable sense of dread that persists
74
00:03:35.070 --> 00:03:37.990
throughout the film. The technical mastery extends
75
00:03:37.990 --> 00:03:40.790
beyond just sound. With the overall production quality
76
00:03:40.790 --> 00:03:43.350
matching the high standards set by their debut,
77
00:03:43.750 --> 00:03:46.510
the Philippou Brothers demonstrate their growing confidence
78
00:03:46.510 --> 00:03:49.110
behind the camera, crafting scenes that build
79
00:03:49.110 --> 00:03:51.510
tension while delivering the shocking moments.
80
00:03:51.750 --> 00:03:54.710
Horror fans expect the film's ability
81
00:03:54.710 --> 00:03:57.670
to maintain its threatening atmosphere while developing complex
82
00:03:57.670 --> 00:04:00.360
character relationships, and shows significant
83
00:04:00.600 --> 00:04:02.920
maturity in their filmmaking approach.
84
00:04:03.800 --> 00:04:06.280
This sophomore effort from the Philippou Brothers
85
00:04:06.520 --> 00:04:09.480
showcases their ability to craft original horror
86
00:04:09.480 --> 00:04:11.960
narratives that don't rely on established
87
00:04:11.960 --> 00:04:14.840
formulas. With its MA rating and a
88
00:04:14.840 --> 00:04:17.800
score of 7 1/2 out of 10, bring her back
89
00:04:18.200 --> 00:04:21.080
proves that the director's success with Talk to Me was
90
00:04:21.080 --> 00:04:23.680
no fluke, firmly establishing them as
91
00:04:23.680 --> 00:04:26.040
emerging talents in the horror genre.
92
00:04:26.890 --> 00:04:29.530
However, viewers should be prepared for some stomach
93
00:04:29.530 --> 00:04:32.370
churning gore as the film doesn't shy away from
94
00:04:32.370 --> 00:04:34.330
graphic content in service of its story.
95
00:04:34.810 --> 00:04:37.610
Alex: You've been listening to movies first available
96
00:04:37.690 --> 00:04:40.010
at Apple Podcasts, Spotify,
97
00:04:40.250 --> 00:04:42.970
iHeartRadio or your favourite podcast
98
00:04:42.970 --> 00:04:44.730
player. You can also stream on
99
00:04:44.730 --> 00:04:47.450
demand at bitesz.com. This Has been another
100
00:04:47.450 --> 00:04:49.530
quality podcast production from
101
00:04:49.530 --> 00:04:50.650
bitesz. com.
