Bring Her Back is best focusing on Sally Hawkins and disturbing imagery

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Directors Danny and Michael Philippou, known for their YouTube channel RackaRacka, have astonishingly ventured into cinema with a remarkable level of success. Unlike other popular YouTubers such as Angry Video Game Nerd, Smosh, Fred, Logan Paul, and others who attempted feature-length films, the results were often disastrous, making one long for the questionable charm of ‘Movie 43’. However, the Philippou twins have managed to prove that YouTube fame can indeed translate into respectable cinema.

In the meantime, the Philippou’s achieved both box office and critical success with their 2023 feature film “Talk to Me“. Years of honing their skills as horror storytellers, particularly in practical effects, have culminated in this achievement. Now they’re back with “Bring Her Back“, a project that includes Sally Hawkins, who has worked with Mike Leigh and Guillermo del Toro. Those anticipating a toning down of their unique, twisted style to accommodate such an accomplished actress are mistaken. Instead, “Bring Her Back” is reminiscent of Hershel Gordon Lewis and 80s Peter Jackson’s work.

In their world, it’s just Piper (Sora Wong) and Anthony (Billy Barratt) who rely on each other. This becomes their truth when they return home one fateful day to discover their father lifeless on the floor following a shower. The script penned by Danny Philippou and Bill Hinzman subsequently introduces us to their temporary guardian, Laura (Sally Hawkins). As Anthony is soon to turn 18 and plans to officially adopt Piper and raise her, this stay with Laura is merely a short-term arrangement. However, Laura’s heart is filled with joy upon meeting these two children, and under her care also resides the reserved, nonverbal Ollie (Jonah Wren Phillips).

From the very beginning, this household seems to be grappling with issues, as it’s evident that Laura exhibits unusual behavior. Furthermore, she appears to favor one of her two new adoptive children, Anthony, while lavishing attention on Piper. However, there are more complex matters at play. Both Piper and Anthony aren’t the only ones who have experienced loss within their family; Laura too has been dealing with the grief of losing her young daughter for years. When Anthony asks how she managed to cope, Laura simply admits “I never did.” This statement proves to be painfully accurate, and it won’t be long before Piper and Anthony feel the harsh consequences of Laura’s unresolved grief.

Once upon a time, it was considered beneath the dignity of respected stage actors to appear in horror movies, which were seen as a kind of “slumming.” However, in our current era, following the success of films like Get Out, The Babadook, and It, more and more well-known actors are jumping on the horror bandwagon. Recently, Hugh Grant, Lupita Nyong’o, Ethan Hawke, Kerry Condon, and even Samuel L. Jackson have starred in horror films. Even a spin-off of the Saw series featured Samuel L. Jackson! The casting of Sally Hawkins as the lead in Bring Her Back continues this trend. It is no surprise that a film starring such an acclaimed actor like Sally Hawkins, who has worked with directors like Mike Leigh, Guillermo del Toro, and Pablo Larrain, would greatly enhance Bring Her Back in every way.

The Phillipous cleverly guide Hawkins into projecting her past roles’ essence in her character, such as in ‘Happy-Go-Lucky’ and the ‘Paddington’ movies. For example, when Laura first meets Piper and Anthony, her charming yet realistically awkward demeanor mirrors her endearing performances in these films. Scenes showcasing Laura’s vulnerability are particularly striking, demonstrating Hawkins’ exceptional ability to portray this character’s deeply felt pain following the loss of her daughter. Whenever discussing her deceased child, Hawkins skillfully evokes a tender tone and slight head tilt, transforming Laura into a completely different person. These emotional scenes can be quite uncomfortable to watch, but they are entirely fitting.

In a subtle yet powerful way, Hawkins has consistently delivered memorable performances, such as her silent role in “The Shape of Water.” This skill even made her brief appearances in “Wonka” and “An Education” stand out distinctly. Here, this talent shines brilliantly, particularly when the script for “Bring Her Back” grows more chaotic. Despite the escalating mayhem in Laura’s household, Hawkins maintains a steady acting style. She reacts to everything around her in a realistic manner, even when she’s merely depicting Laura silently observing disturbing instructional VHS tapes.

Combining intense, authentic performances with a plethora of gruesome, violent chaos creates an unsettling viewing experience. In contrast to subtle scares, the Philippou’s certainly don’t shy away from graphic, disturbing visuals in Bring Her Back. Contrary to typical American horror films that protect children, the creators of this film disregard this rule entirely, as evident in their treatment of Ollie’s brutal ordeal. One particularly shocking scene, reminiscent of a stunt from Crimes of the Future, where a child eats waste and says “I think we could do better,” showcases their disregard for boundaries.

The gruesome scenes unfold on-screen in a realistic manner thanks to numerous stunning practical effects, devoid of any bothersome computer-generated blood, an issue that even the otherwise eerily captivating “The Monkey” struggled with. What sets “Bring Her Back” apart is its emphasis on authenticity, as demonstrated by the scene where skin is peeled off a person’s arm. Brace yourself for a blend of awe-inspiring practical effects mastery and a gnawing unease in your gut. However, unlike their previous film, these Australian directors opted for less sophisticated camera work to capture this wildly creative practical effects work.

As a cinephile, I found the cinematography in “Talk to Me” vibrant and full of expressive movements. In contrast, “Bring Her Back” seems content with standard framing. The camera rarely moves with energy or excitement, except for a few instances like the slow rotation during an early Laura/Ollie conversation. Compared to the cinematography in “Talk to Me,” this is definitely a step down. Unfortunately, “Bring Her Back” shares one persistent flaw from Philippou’s directorial debut: the balance between evoking genuine emotion and presenting disturbing violence isn’t quite right. Filmmakers like Julia Ducournau, Jeremy Saulnier, Karyn Kusama, Panos Cosmatos, Ryan Coogler with “Sinners” know how to create a perfect blend of messed-up visuals and characters that resonate with the audience.

The characters in “Bring Her Back,” specifically Anthony, Piper, and Ollie, excel at portraying gruesome insanity and gory violence effectively. Yet, I didn’t find myself emotionally invested in them as individuals. This film takes unforeseen turns when it comes to the twisted uses of knives, loose skin, or deep freezers, but its themes involving abusive parents and strained sibling relationships are less original. Consequently, the emotional depth required for crucial third-act moments falls flat. Despite Sally Hawkins delivering a deeply human performance, the attempts at eliciting empathy needed improvement. However, “Bring Her Back” succeeds spectacularly in its practical effects and shocking grotesquery, which are nothing short of impressive. Compared to other YouTube film entries like “Smosh: The Movie,” this production reaches creative heights that many can only aspire to achieve.

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2025-05-21 16:15