2023’s “Talk to Me” catapulted Danny and my journey as a filmmaker. Our first directorial venture was a box office sensation, raking in nearly $92 million on a budget of just $4.25 million. With accolades pouring in from industry legends like Peter Jackson, Jordan Peele, and Ari Aster, and meetings lined up all around town, including one with Marvel Studios, we found ourselves at a significant crossroads: how to build upon this incredible success.
By July 2023, when they launched “Talk to Me”, the Australian twin directors had already been working on a fresh concept for the “Street Fighter” game. However, they swiftly agreed to a sequel of “Talk to Me” titled “Talk 2 Me”. Yet, an earlier horror script they’d written, “Bring Her Back”, started troubling them. Realizing they could always return to “Talk to Me 2”, the Philippous opted instead to leverage their new fame and focus on making their original horror film. A24 supported this change of direction, but potential investors were less enthusiastic.
Danny Philippou shared with The Hollywood Reporter that when he presented “Bring Her Back” for funding, some institutions suggested “Talk to Me 2”. However, there was pressure from others. Originally, “Talk to Me 2” was planned as the next project, but he expressed a strong desire to produce “Bring Her Back”. Fortunately, A24 agreed and gave him the go-ahead.
Michael Philippou states: “Jumping directly into ‘Talk to Me 2‘ seemed more like exploiting excitement rather than choosing the right narrative for our next step. We required a pause from ‘Talk to Me 2‘, so we could reapproach it with renewed perspective.
Similar to “Talk to Me”, the movie “Bring Her Back” delves into the extraordinary measures people take when dealing with their sorrow. In this narrative, Sally Hawkins plays a foster mother named Laura who takes in two orphaned siblings, Andy (played by Billy Barratt) and Piper (Sora Wong), with the latter being partially blind. As time passes, Andy starts noticing strange occurrences within Laura’s house, but finding ways to share his concerns with Piper becomes challenging due to her visual impairment and Laura’s meddling.
The Philippous recognized that their journey through grief was far from over, and regrettably, grief continued to linger in their lives as well. In memory of their dear friend Harley Wallace, who passed away just prior to filming, Bring Her Back is lovingly dedicated.
Michael Philippou shares, “He was more like family than just a friend, and tragically, he passed away before we even started filming. It was completely unexpected and has affected how some scenes unfolded.” He continues, “When you’re grappling with such loss, you often try to shield yourself from it, but its effects seep into your work in unanticipated ways. Thus, the mourning found its way into our film in an unusual manner.
Although they don’t directly connect the stories, the brothers are hinting that “Talk to Me” and “Bring Her Back” take place within the same fictional world. The actor from “Talk to Me,” Sophie Wilde, even pops up in “Bring Her Back,” but she portrays a different character this time around, named “Middle Aged Mum #4.
Danny Philippou shared, “We pledged that no matter what we create in the future, she will always be a part of it somehow, even if it’s merely a voice contribution. Although her face isn’t shown in the movie, you only see her arm. Yet, she was present on set, offering her support, and we appreciate her immensely for that.
Regarding “Talk to Me 2,” the Phillipou brothers have penned two distinct variations of the follow-up. One continues seamlessly from the original storyline, while the other serves as more of a spin-off or complementary tale. In both instances, fresh characters take center stage.
Danny Philippou explains, ‘In one part, we’re carrying on with the original narrative, while in another, we’re introducing fresh characters.’ Essentially, we’ve crafted two distinct sets of characters within separate realms, each exploring unique themes.
In their latest chat with THR, the Philippou brothers delve into Hawkins’ transformation – from portraying a loving and devoted foster mom in the heartwarming Paddington series to embodying the most twisted foster mom imaginable in Bring Her Back.
Exiting Talk to Me, the world lay at your feet with numerous possibilities before you. Was it primarily because Bring Her Back had a well-crafted script that drew you in?
As a passionate storyteller like Danny Phillipou, I found myself faced with an unusual pressure: “The next project must be grander and more outrageous.” However, the tale I yearned to share was one of intimacy and subtlety. Given that we had already penned the script for the character Laura, it seemed as if Bring Her Back would always be a lingering influence in my creative process. If I delved into other ventures, my thoughts would constantly return to this story. We were grappling with grief at that time, and I felt an unrelenting connection to the subject matter. It was challenging to resist tempting offers such as Street Fighter, but the resonance of Bring Her Back proved too strong. Despite exciting prospects, this story simply felt right.
Hey Michael, was the sadness Danny brought up connected to the tribute for Harley Wallace in the movie’s ending?
MICHAEL PHILIPPOU Indeed, he was more than just an acquaintance; he was a dear family friend. Unfortunately, he passed away during our preparations for filming. It was utterly unexpected and affected how certain scenes unfolded. When you’re grappling with loss, there’s this instinct to shut down emotionally, but it finds its way out subtly while we’re filming. Once the movie production begins, there’s no braking, so that sadness seeped into the film in an unusual manner.
Initially, your plan was to develop “Talk to Me” in the United States, but certain artistic compromises turned out to be insurmountable obstacles. Was there no restriction on creative freedom from the start when working on “Bring Her Back”?
DANNY PHILIPPOU Really, what’s so impressive about A24 is their approach towards filmmaking. They don’t operate like a committee where everyone adds suggestions, such as “You need to do this, you have to change that, you must explain this.” Instead, they give us the freedom to lead the project. They were available when we needed them for advice, but they also stepped back when we wanted them to, which was fortunate for us in working with them.
Are Bring Her Back and Talk to Me set in the same universe?
Danny Philipou might be referring to the fact that there’s a multimedia project they are currently developing, which subtly connects with their ongoing work. While it may not be explicitly displayed in the movie itself, he seems to suggest that the connection is indeed present.
In both the movies ‘Bring Her Back’ and ‘Talk to Me’, the characters Laura (played by Sally Hawkins) and Mia (portrayed by Sophie Wilde) each undertake significant risks in a desperate attempt to reconnect with their missing loved ones. Interestingly, they both sport chipped nail polish.
THE PHILIPPOU BROTHERS (Laugh.)
DANNY PHILIPPOU I’m fascinated with using a character’s fingernails as an indicator of their mental state, something I can’t get enough of. I enjoy expressing this intrigue extensively, and I’m always looking for alternative ways to do so as well. For Laura, we aimed to make her feel like a wilting leaf, which is symbolized through her wardrobe – starting with oranges and culminating in browns. There’s green used in the flashback scenes. In public areas, she projects an image of being lively and cheerful, so the greens are more prominent there. However, when she’s in her bedroom, it becomes more run-down, with a sense of impending death pervading the atmosphere. Essentially, I’m always searching for creative visual themes to connect the characters.
MICHAEL PHILIPPOU I can’t help but ponder what makes characters such as Laura and Mia so captivating. This narrative veers off course, yet it serves a purpose. Reminiscing on an incident with my pet dog, I once hid behind a bush to observe him. Though he couldn’t see me, his keen ears picked up my voice. Instead of circumnavigating the bush, he plunged straight through it in the mud, driven by his desire to be near me. Similarly, these characters act impulsively. Laura yearns for her daughter’s return above all else and is willing to do whatever it takes, even if it means acting recklessly and losing her grip on reality due to her overwhelming grief.
Michael, it sounds like you’re responsible for Laura’s taxidermied dog.
THE PHILIPPOU BROTHERS (Laugh.)
MICHAEL PHILIPPOU Indeed, Laura seems to have a unique perspective on death compared to many others. To her, it’s not an ending but a transition. Similarly, she regards funerals as a means to celebrate and honor the life that was lived.
DANNY PHILIPPOU Greek Orthodox funerals feature open caskets and require attendees to kiss the deceased on the head, which used to unsettle me as a child. [Billy Barratt’s Andy] isn’t required to approach the coffin or gaze at the corpse, but Laura, who is very astute, grasps the psychology of people, especially young ones. She thinks, “I can help mitigate [Andy’s] distress here. I can touch a nerve here.” Therefore, incorporating such awkward real-life encounters into a movie often feels like a way to expel those lingering fears.
In our previous conversation, you expressed the hope that actress Sophie Wilde, your Talk To Me star, might serve as a good luck charm similar to Sam Raimi/Bruce Campbell or James Wan/Patrick Wilson. You subsequently managed to include her in a brief return appearance. Was there ever any uncertainty that this would transpire?
Danny Phillipou She had given us her word! We had agreed that whatever we would create in the future, no matter how minor a role it might be, she would be part of it somehow. Although her face is absent from the film, you only see her arm. Yet, she came to set and supported us, for which we hold her in high regard.
MICHAEL PHILIPPOU She’s credited as “Middle Aged Mum #4.”
DANNY PHILIPPOU She really wanted that credit.
MICHAEL PHILIPPOU We don’t know where one, two or three are, but she’s number four.
THE PHILIPPOU BROTHERS (Laugh.)
Although the scheduling didn’t allow for it, I appreciate the thought that Sally Hawkins exchanged her role as Paddington with the Philippou brothers. (It should be noted that she did not reprise her character in 2024’s Paddington 2: Peru.) Her transformation was remarkable – from portraying the world’s best foster mother in a heartwarming series to embodying the most unconventional foster mother conceivable.
THE PHILIPPOU BROTHERS (Laugh.)
Have you both had a laugh about this?
MICHAEL PHILIPPOU Yeah, we kept thinking, “What happened to her between Paddington 2 and 3.”
Danny Phillipou: She didn’t come across as someone who was known for being in Paddington or having some specific role. Instead, she naturally exuded a nurturing, radiant, and stunning aura.
MICHAEL PHILIPPOU And warm, loving and inviting.
DANNY PHILIPPOU She adopts such unique portrayals for each character. It’s as if she transforms into a different individual with each role. The thought crossed my mind, “What if she infused those distinct traits into this portrayal of a mother?” This idea intrigued me and sparked my excitement.
Michael Philippou’s portrayal of Laura is captivating because it showcases a transformation from her initial wholesome nature before the tragedy. As a child psychologist, she was known for helping children. However, the irony lies in how she now employs these same skills not to heal, but to cause harm – a chilling twist that makes her character all the more intriguing. Sally’s performance truly shines here.
DANNY PHILIPPOU Following her reading the script, they contacted us and said, “Sally has taken quite a liking to the script. She’d like to discuss it.” I was astounded by this revelation. My initial response was, “But this is a genre film,” but she didn’t seem to view it that way at all. Instead, she expressed deep empathy for Laura as a character, stating, “I didn’t perceive it as a genre film; I simply felt a strong connection to Laura.” She’s truly remarkable.
Did she ever comment on the Paddington of it all?
DANNY PHILIPPOU In our discussions, none of her other films were mentioned as relevant to this topic. Instead, we analyzed each scene collaboratively, often drawing on shared knowledge of people or personal experiences that we’ve had. Interestingly enough, Paddington was never brought up during these conversations.
MICHAEL PHILIPPOU No, it didn’t. She meticulously immerses herself in the process of assuming a role, ensuring no external influences taint her portrayal. Her aim is to transform into this specific character and inhabit its world. Any personal elements brought along would disrupt the character in some way. Instead, she concentrates solely on this individual and their environment, fully embodying them. She even went shopping for the character and bought items to decorate Laura’s home, thinking about what Laura might purchase herself. In essence, she became an integral part of this captivating character.
DANNY PHILIPPOU For extended periods, Laura immersed herself in her role, enacting scenes beyond the movie script. There’s a palpable bond between Laura and Wendy [Sally-Anne Upton]. They socialized together frequently, and we would encourage them to explore topics such as Wendy’s gambling addiction, for instance. They would then improvise based on these suggestions, creating a narrative that doesn’t appear in the final cut. However, this off-screen interaction helped build a rich history and understanding between them.
You tried to cast Billy Barratt in Talk to Me. Did the dog and foot scenes scare him away?
THE PHILIPPOU BROTHERS (Laugh.)
DANNY PHILIPPOU Well, he was going to play Riley in Talk to Me.
Oh, I wrongly assumed he was in the mix for Otis Dhanji’s part.
MICHAEL PHILIPPOU Maybe he read [Riley’s] face-smash on the table and decided [against it].
DANNY PHILIPPOU It proved challenging to portray him accurately for that scene. The inspiration stemmed from studying the script and empathizing with Andy. As I know individuals similar to Andy, it was easier for me to step into his perspective.
MICHAEL PHILIPPOU: From the moment we encountered him in “Responsible Child”, there’s a certain ominous quality that seems to emanate from him or his performance style. There’s just something more somber about him, and I had faith that he could bring this troubled character to life with genuine, understated depth. Billy seemed to grasp it and convey it convincingly in a true-to-life manner. He’s truly exceptional.
Since Piper (Sora Wong) is partially sighted, she heavily depends on the descriptions provided by those around her, leading to an intriguing situation as she must decide which person’s account she can trust. It is said that she was modeled after a friend’s younger sister?
Danny Phillipou Indeed, our friend’s younger sister is visually impaired and was eager to take the bus alone for the first time, but her parents had some concerns. I found this situation intriguing from various angles, and during our conversation, I inquired about her thoughts on sight. She replied, “I’m grateful that I can’t see because I don’t have to witness the unpleasant aspects of the world.” This profound remark served as the foundation for the entire film. When speaking with individuals like this or casting authentic personalities, they offer a unique perspective that you may not have seen before on screen. They can make it feel incredibly personal and realistic. That’s why I enjoy working with novice actors or those who are new to the camera, as their performances are unfiltered. There’s an authenticity about their acting that I find captivating.
In some movie titles, it’s predictable that the title will be spoken as dialogue. The most recent instance of this is “Bring Her Back,” which is used in the line, “We can bring her back.” I attempted to integrate it in various ways, but here’s one example:
There are movie titles where you can almost hear the dialogue. For instance, “Bring Her Back” has been utilized in a conversation as, “We can bring her back.
DANNY PHILIPPOU It was always the one in the movie. The buildup to it just felt natural.
Michael Phillipou expressed that it seemed like the perfect moment to speak up. The entire movie revolves around truth and deception, what’s visible and what remains hidden. When there’s no more cover to hide behind, one tells the truth. All of this originated from our friend’s blind sister not wishing to observe the unattractive aspects of the world. This idea served as a thread running throughout everything, such as Andy preventing Piper from seeing both the good and the bad, which hinders her ability to navigate the world.
Although they don’t have an identical form, was it your intention to pick the location for Laura’s house because the layout of the pool resembles her tattoo?
DANNY PHILIPPOU Indeed, our focus was on selecting a spot that made the swimming pool the central feature of the house. This way, the pool shed could serve as the heart of the design. We aimed to have the pool visible from every window or viewing angle for an unobstructed view.
MICHAEL PHILIPPOU You can’t escape it.
DANNY PHILIPPOU We constructed our pool house at the house’s site, which happened to be in a valley that experiences an earlier sunset. This arrangement provided shade across the entire backyard, allowing us to film rain scenes without worrying about blocking out the sunlight. It was indeed an ideal placement for the structure.
MICHAEL PHILIPPOU We renovated the swimming pool by placing a circular design at its center, and surprisingly, that was the property we were looking for. We couldn’t be happier to have discovered it.
Is it known if Peter Andrews and Mary Ann Bernard, alias of director Steven Soderbergh who doubles as cinematographer and editor, have any connections to your collaborator Bill Hinzman?
THE PHILIPPOU BROTHERS (Laugh.)
MICHAEL PHILIPPOU There’s a big thing going around about that.
Danny Philopou shares that he finds it challenging to work with Michael on a writing standpoint, as they seem to have different styles when it comes to scriptwriting. Regrettably, Danny has never envisioned himself collaborating with Michael on such projects. However, Bill Hinzman, who was an actor known for his role in “Night of the Living Dead,” is not Michael. [Unfortunately, Bill Hinzman passed away in 2012.]
Michael Phillipou expresses his eagerness to learn from Hinzman, who possesses an exceptional grasp of storytelling. In discussing a film, Hinzman can dissect each element with ease. Together, they can develop scenes and moments for a movie, but it’s Hinzman who can construct the overall structure and provide insights like, “This is how it would work in this format.” It seems there are aspects of storytelling that Hinzman understands that Michael Phillipou wishes he could as well.
DANNY PHILIPPOU We’re really dumb.
MICHAEL PHILIPPOU Do people think me or Danny are Bill Hinzman?
DANNY PHILIPPOU Michael is not Bill Hinzman.
I just don’t think he exists at all. That’s as far as I’ve gone with it.
THE PHILIPPOU BROTHERS (Laugh.)
DANNY PHILIPPOU It’s fascinating! I find it amazing how Bill Hinzman has transformed the question “Who is Bill Hinzman?” into something so intriguing. Great stuff!
What’s the latest on Talk 2 Me?
MICHAEL PHILIPPOU Let’s ask Bill Hinzman. (Michael points directly at Danny.)
DANNY PHILIPPOU You won’t get an answer!
THE PHILIPPOU BROTHERS (Laugh.)
Danny Phillipou shares that we have penned two distinct scripts, each featuring unique characters and settings, exploring separate themes. To ensure a truly rejuvenated approach, a necessary break is taken before returning with renewed vigor and fresh insights. Initially, “Bring Her Back” was met with curiosity about “Talk to Me 2” from certain funding entities, creating some pressure. However, we had already agreed on “Talk to Me 2,” which was slated as the next project. But my enthusiasm for this other project was strong, so I asked if I could make it instead. Thankfully, A24 supported this decision and granted us the opportunity to proceed with this new project.
MICHAEL PHILIPPOU It seemed like diving right into Talk to Me 2 would merely be cashing in on popularity rather than deciding the next appropriate narrative we should present. We required a pause from Talk to Me 2, so that we could reapproach it with renewed perspective, ensuring it stands as its own tale without simply continuing the storyline.
Do either of the scripts you mentioned originate from the first film more than the other one does?
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but express my excitement! One tale unfolds seamlessly from where it left off, while another introduces an entirely fresh cast of characters. Absolutely fascinating!
***
Bring Her Back opens May 30 in movie theaters nationwide.
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2025-05-27 23:26