Bring Her Back

In the Australian countryside, two step-siblings, Andy and his younger sister, are orphaned after their father's sudden death. They are placed in the care of Laura, a seemingly nurturing foster mother played by Sally Hawkins. But her secluded rural home holds a dark secret, and Andy, portrayed by Billy Barratt, begins to suspect that Laura's maternal warmth hides a sinister plan.

Bring Her Back is the second feature from twin directors Michael and Danny Philippou, following their breakout hit Talk To Me. Produced by Causeway Films and A24, the film blends psychological thriller with supernatural horror. It was shot on a $15 million budget and grossed over $39 million worldwide, proving the duo's knack for turning grief into dread.

The cast includes Mischa Heywood as Cathy, Jonah Wren Phillips as Oliver, and Stephen Phillips as Phil. With a script by Bill Hinzman and Danny Philippou, the film explores how far a parent might go to reclaim a lost child. It holds a 7.3 rating on IMDb from over 1,800 votes, resonating with audiences who appreciate horror that lingers long after the credits roll. [edit]

Andy and his younger sister are reeling from the death of their father. With no other family, they are placed in the care of Laura, a woman who seems kind and patient. Her home is a sprawling farmhouse, isolated from the nearest town. At first, Laura offers comfort, cooking meals and tucking them in at night. But Andy notices small inconsistencies: locked doors, whispers in the dark, and a strange VHS tape hidden in the attic.

Laura's behavior grows increasingly erratic. She imposes strict rules, like never entering the basement and always keeping the curtains drawn. Andy, protective of his sister, begins to investigate. He finds photographs of a young girl, clearly Laura's daughter, and a collection of occult books in Russian. The tape, when played, shows a ritual meant to summon a spirit and bind it to a living host.

As Andy digs deeper, he realizes that Laura's grief over her daughter's death has curdled into obsession. She has been using the foster system to find children who resemble her lost child, and Andy and his sister are the latest candidates. The ritual requires a sacrifice, and Laura intends to transfer her daughter's soul into one of them.

The tension escalates as Laura begins to gaslight Andy, making him doubt his own perceptions. She isolates them from the outside world, cutting phone lines and sabotaging the car. Andy must protect his sister while unearthing the truth about Laura's plan. The film builds a thick atmosphere of paranoia, where every kindness feels like a trap and every creak of the floorboards signals danger.

Ultimately, Andy uncovers the full scope of the ritual: it demands a willing victim, or at least one who is unaware. He races against time to stop Laura before she can complete the ceremony. The story becomes a harrowing battle of wills, pitting a grieving mother against a terrified brother, with the fate of an innocent child hanging in the balance.[edit]