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Aussie film Bring Her Back called one of the best horror movies of the year

Two Aussie YouTube pranksters have released a disturbing new movie being hailed as one of the best horror films of the year.

Bring Her Back official movie trailer

A new Australian horror film has left viewers terrifyingly glued to their seats.

Bring Her Back has cinemagoers both disturbed and impressed by the movie, which stars British actress and two-time Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins as a foster parent who takes in two orphaned children after the death of her own child.

The horror flick is directed by the same duo behind the widely acclaimed 2022 Aussie supernatural thriller Talk to Me.

Aussie horror film Bring Her Back has been hailed one of the best films of the year. Picture: A24
Aussie horror film Bring Her Back has been hailed one of the best films of the year. Picture: A24

Twins Michael Philippou and Danny Philippou wowed the industry when they went from YouTube pranksters known as RackaRack to filmmakers who raked in a cool $143 million at the global box office for Talk to Me, their debut film.

And now they’re back with this psychological thriller filmed in Adelaide that they’ve described as “harrowing, traumatic and fun”.

The film follows a grieving mother and foster parent who takes in two orphans. Picture: A24
The film follows a grieving mother and foster parent who takes in two orphans. Picture: A24

“We wanted to do something different from talk to me. It’s still a horror film but it’s more psychological,” Michael said in a promo teaser.

“I always knew Bring Her Back was the next film I wanted to make next. I was excited doing a character study and a psycho-biddy film,” added Danny.

“My hope is that audience go away saying it’s a horror movie but why am I emotionally moved by this too?” Michael shared, as Danny teased, “There’s some f***ed up s**t in this film.”

Jonah Wren Phillips (left) and Sally Hawkins star in the film. Picture: A24
Jonah Wren Phillips (left) and Sally Hawkins star in the film. Picture: A24

The audience agrees, with many saying the film has stayed with them long after leaving the cinema.

“The sombre quietness of everyone in the theatre walking out of Bring Her Back was something else. What a movie,” one tweeted on X, as another added, “Saw the movie bring her back last night & it might be one of the best horror films i’ve seen so far in the past couple years.”

“I mean wow,” tweeted another viewer. “I’m absolutely speechless right now and I was NOT ready for just how harrowing and devastating this movie can be. the brothers have done it once again and they’ve impressed me beyond my expectations. 10/10.”

The film has left audiences both traumatised and impressed. Picture: A24
The film has left audiences both traumatised and impressed. Picture: A24

And this from another viewer: “Holy F**k! So I went to see A24’s Bring Her Back. Brought to you by the same guys who did Talk to Me. Talk to Me was pretty good, but this movie is one of the darkest and most intense movies I’ve ever seen!”

“Just seen bring her back. Good movie but I’m traumatised,” concluded another fan.

Bring Her Back has also been praised by critics, earning glowing reviews and an 89 per cent “fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes.

The movie has you hooked from the very first scene that features grainy VHS footage from an intense cult ritual, and the film cuts back to this grisly scene every so often.

Twins and filmmakers Michael Philippou (left) and Danny Philippou directed the Aussie film.
Twins and filmmakers Michael Philippou (left) and Danny Philippou directed the Aussie film.
The twins have praised their leading lady Sally Hawkins. Picture: Kate Green/Getty Images
The twins have praised their leading lady Sally Hawkins. Picture: Kate Green/Getty Images

Hawkins’ character Laura is stellar as the chillingly creepy foster parent who welcomes Andy (Billy Barrett) and his visually impaired sister Piper (Sora Wong) to her secluded house in suburban Australia.

As it turns out, Laura’s biological child Cathy, who was also visually impaired, mysteriously died too long ago, and it soon becomes apparent that she has sinister plans for Piper.

“We love Sally Hawkins and were so honoured to be able to work with her,” Danny said of their leading lady.

“She lived and breathed this character. The process of her was so incredible. She gave a part of her soul for this character and when she went there, she went there. And the crew were terrified of her and so was I.”

Bring Her Back in now showing in cinemas

Originally published as Aussie film Bring Her Back called one of the best horror movies of the year

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/movies/aussie-film-bring-her-back-called-one-of-the-best-horror-movies-of-the-year/news-story/8afbfbf3d541ffca1d375adf65710a56