Chris Stuckmann reviews Bring Her Back, starring Sally Hawkins, Billy Barratt, Sora Wong, Jonah Wren Phillips. Directed by Danny Philippou, Michael Philippou.
***Spoiler warning*** In that one scene where he starts messing up Laura's arm I was starting to root for him to just straight up eat her throat out. Also, I don't know what word I would use to describe the level of hate/sympathy I felt for Laura by the end.
Arguably the best genre in my opinion. I just love it so much. Especially when we’re able to get experiences like Get Out, Hereditary, The Thing, and Talk To Me.
@squatch1565exactly. But even more so, honestly. This may have been the most effective film at upsetting me that I’ve seen in years. Maybe I was just younger when I saw Se7en and other films like Saving Private Ryan, but I found enjoyment in them. This was a harrowing experience. And I mean that in the best way. Art is best when it affects you. And I was definitely affected.
One thing I really liked with this is that the Philippou brothers didn't just make another Talk To Me. They stepped out of their comfort zone just enough to show some variety in their work. While Talk To Me was a visceral and brutal tour de force, this was a lot more of a slow burn, character driven film with a lot more emotion to it.
This is what happens when a horror movie is actually horror. The ENTIRE theatre was silent at the end credits..... A true horror. Prepare to be traumatized.... Absolute 10/10 Well done Australia!
I've never been speechless and this was the first time I didn't know what to say. I was just so horrified by the whole thing and I loved it!! This is how to make a horror film. Great acting, and no dumb lines. This is an award winning movie in my opinion. Superb!!
Too bad most people have a neutral or negative outlook on “youtubers” as a whole because of a select few that cause drama and become publicly known for not good reasons. I’d like to steer clear of calling these brothers “youtubers” anymore given the fact that their soul focus has been on film. For me I’d call them directors/producers/filmmakers with a history in RUclips fame.
They’re filmmakers. Period. These guys have proved them self completely. They’re made 2 incredible films, Bring Her Back is one of my favorite horror films in years and years
This film has the same issue with Hereditary: an incredibly poor pacing that makes your eyes go “hurry up and get somewhere” and when the film does, you feel underwhelmed. So they included some macabre knife-eating scenes or whatever to take your minds off the fact WE need to know what’s going on as much as the dumbfounded foster kids did. Just showing random bits of ritual behavior doesn’t really help us put the pieces together they way they should fit, to understand what the creators wanted to show us.
@GizmoBeachfrom someone that commented good things about “drop”I would think this film might be confusing for you. Maybe give it a second watch, and keep up!
Saw this today, and not kidding, two adults (maybe two older sisters idk) walked in with about 15 children under the age of 11-12 to this movie... if you've seen it you know how crazy that is but even based on the ad this is clearly not for CHILDREN??? As the group came in (late) someone ran down and asked the adults if they were in the wrong cinema ...apparently not. They were loud, standing up, moving around and disinterested. Everyone else in the theatre was pissed off. But once that knife scene came up and things started to escalate the kids all upped and left...clearly uncomfortable Anyway, let it be known that this isn't for 10 year olds 😅
Wow. That’s the same thing I remember about the first IT movie, seen a whole family with kids come in, now they didn’t go crazy and seemingly well behaved but I’m sure those kids had nightmares seeing that movie. Eh, I guess ever kid has to have their scary creepy thing as a child lol Mine was 13 ghost and jeepsers creepers lol. Although I was a kid I was still a young guy because chucky and Freddy Kruger didn’t scare me AT ALL. Actually thought they were funny haha
terrifying movie. It goes well beyond horror. It's a drama about loss and the legnths a person would go to overcome it. A family tragedy, an atmopsheric masterpiece. Amazing actors, incredible practical effects. 10/10 totally
Lengths? She's a fucking psycho. Am I supposed to feel sorry for her with all the flashback on Cathy? Fck no. I felt so mad that Andy died and it felt like villain didn't get justice. I love the first two Acts, but the 3rd part fell off for me.
Sally Hawkins CRUSHES IT in this movie. Her performance is so fantastic, and her character is so grounded that this almost didn’t even read as a horror film to me. More like a very spooky (and violent) family drama.
The more I think about this movie, the more intentional I realise EVERYTHING is. As an Australian, I also think this movie is a bit of a push back on a pervasive current issue of how we treat young boys experiencing trauma and hardship. How hard Andy has to fight not only his own emotions and trauma, but also the stigma of previous "delinquent" actions - that something he did will never be forgiven, no matter how much he does for others. His story is utterly heartbreaking.
I think it’s so specifically heartbreaking too that’s she’s hurting / killing other kids. Like on this effort to bring her child back and be a mother again she kidnaps, abuses, and psychologically tortures 3 more kids. Which all results in not even getting her kid back. The ending scene was haunting and I was crying from the moment piper heard the plan go by. They did a fantastic job with Lisas character and I can’t wait to see what they come out with next!
I literally walked out of the theater with my wife and said “now THAT is a horror movie” she agreed totally. The feeling of dread, suspense, and horror that was built throughout the movie was immaculate. Genuinely hard to watch at certain points. 9.5/10 would recommend and watch again! Can’t wait for them to make more movies!!!
I liked this one better than Talk To Me. Sally Hawkins was absurdly good in this. They've managed two bangers at this point. I'm pretty excited to see what they do next.
I feel like I keep trying to scrub this movie off my skin, but it burrowed into me while watching. The experience was horrendously excellent. I haven’t stopped thinking about it.
My local cinema does this thing called Mystery Mondays, where, every Monday night, they play a random horror film, and you don't know which one they'll play in advance. This week it was "Bring her Back". I can confidently say that a film has never made me feel worse. 10/10
I saw this film at a mystery screening on the 19th, and man…it was an amazing experience for sure, but so dark and disturbing that I probably won’t watch it again anytime soon. I already enjoyed Talk To Me, but the Philoppou brothers definitely outdid themselves with this one and have quickly become some of the best modern horror directors with only their sophomore film.
Rarely does a horror movie write one of the main characters - Andy - so relatable and realistic and convincingly made me root for him the entire movie. I also love how Piper is written as independent and wants to be treated indifferently despite her disability, they did so well with the main protagonists casting.
One of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite RUclipsrs Morbid Zoo is, paraphrased "all horror movies are about grief, even the trashiest slasher is about how you and everyone you love will die, maybe horribly, and you are gonna have to deal with that grief". These are the horror emotions and a lot of non-horror fans, especially critics who may have dismissed horror films in the past before this "elevated horror" whatever trend, seem to think they're reaaaaaal smart when they pinpoint the emotions almost the entire genre is going for and say a whole film is about that, and not going into anything else more specific the film might be trying to say, oftentimes because it may be more uncomfortable when horror often deals with such taboo and sensitive subject matter. Instead for a lot of horror's more mainstream audience it seems like it's more about just the vibes, which is fine, horror films famously have really cool vibes. But if you're enjoying it on that level, you can't criticize it for playing into that vibe too heavy and you also can't get mad when a film maker attempts to challenge a less surface level audience maybe you really don't want to be apart of.
I agree with your take Chris! This movie is so unsettling and does a great job of exploring trauma and not explaining everything to us. Sally Hawkins did a phenomenal job, and she's such an underrated actress. All the kid actors seemed to be seasoned pros too, but almost all of them haven't done much movie work or even been in a movie before. The Philippou Twins are something else!
I really want to watch this movie but after losing my son last year I don't think I could watch this in theaters I'll have to wait till I can watch it at home so I can take breaks
@deciduousrex1219thank you....yeah im not sure if i can handle this movie right now especially since the first anniversary of his death was this month
Sorry for your loss ❤️🩹 This movie is super intense but will undoubtedly stir a bit of catharsis in those who are dealing with grief. Worth watching down the line!
1:06 I think the otherwise darker lighting kinda goes with how much you like horror/thriller films. It feels appropriate. I think you just need a rim light to separate you from the background.
This movie was very, very good. The acting was incredible. It will definitely stick with me for awhile. I had to come and watch some cartoons to decompress.
Been watching you and John since I was 8 years old and growing with you both as a person and a film fanatic.. has been a complete honor 🥰 Can’t wait to see Shelby Oaks!
The mark of the greatest filmmakers is when they refuse to explain everything in a movie. Not plot holes, just very intentional WTF moments built in. The cult stuff is not told to you, but if you pay attention to rhe tapes, its showing people bringing back loved ones with the human sacrifice ritual. The audience is never told that, you just have to realize. So smart.
I fully disagree. Look at a movie like the original Speak No Evil. That is a horror film that solely relies on the themes of what we are willing to put up with and accept to not rock the status quo. That's very apparent in the film when one of the characters ask "why are you doing this to us? and they respond "because you let us." With a film like The Strangers, the core message around the film is how evil just exists and sometimes it finds you. This is summed up when the killer explains their reasoning for attacking them to be "because you were home." There is definitely a trend in the current landscape of "elevated horror" where there is an over reliance on the idea of grief. Grief comes in many different forms, but there has been a bit too many stories that involves the loss of a loved one and how those left behind cope. There are so many things that can be scary. There are also so many different ways to tackle grief. Even Talk to Me was heavily focused around grief. In that film the main character lost their mother and the inciting incident of that film happens because she briefly has a moment where she feels she has a way to have her back. I thought this film was excellent. They found a fairly fresh way to tell this story in their own style, but it is still a story that I have seen many many many times in the last 5-8 years.
@mitchellbrinkerdp well yea its super easy for a home invasion movie not to mention grief, id be surprised if it did. Any supernatural idea though how can you not mention it, you mentioned talk to me but the whole idea of the movie is talking to dead people for fun like of course you can do something interesting with that using the theme of grief. Or they can just make a story with no depth and be like paranormal activity. Griefs also not an “idea” its just a part of life everyone handles differently.
Very quiet movie theatre, tells you everything. Dark, disturbing, sad....brilliant. These brothers are going places fast, and are using some very innovative filming techniques. Here comes Hollywood. These guys are the real deal
This is one of the BEST horror movies ever. The acting, script, and direction are all superlative. Why "Bring Her Back" is not getting as much attention as some other recent horror films is baffling. As of Aug. 2025, Sally Hawkins is giving the most Oscar-worthy performance of this year, and Jonah Wren Phillips is a remarkable new horror icon. Fine work also by Billy Barratt, Sorah Wong, and Sally-Anne Upton. The Philippou brothers have created great art with is excellent movie.
really glad we got a proper review for this movie. still wierd that there was only a pre-production podcast episode for talk to me, but glad to hear your thoughts on this one
I found this movie very emotional. The mom was awful and did so many terrible things, but the reality is she was just a mom who was devestated by the death of her child. I never root for anyone in a horror movie, their purpose is usually to die. But I found myself really wanting andy to live. The way this movie plays out is incredible. A great horror movie.
Surprisingly this was the first horror film that I saw people walk out of (it was during that knife scene). In their defense, I saw it as part of a secret movie series so those people probably had ZERO idea what movie they were getting themselves into. Still though, great film and I loved it.
At the end of the movie everyone in the theater was talking to each other and asking why we watched it lol high schoolers are going to be having nightmares for awhile. They said they almost left
I watched this last night, and...phew. Uncomfortable, tense, and incredibly sad. I truly didn't know how it was going to end. I loved and hated every minute of it! I will think about this one for a long time.
I know that feeling you described at the end but instead of children it was my cat. I had to give her so much love when I got home. Great film but tough watch
Sinners was good, not good like this kind of good. It didn't leave feeling like this movie did. I was literally speechless. In a amazingly beautiful, devastating way.
It feels like we’re smack dab in the middle of a horror movie golden age. Once we’ve gone through it, will be the only way to kind of analyze it and see when it started. What caused it and then look through all the amazing films that were made in the same way we analyze the horror films of the 1980s. It’s exciting.
i personally believe it's a result of the pandemic and the social unrest from it. everyone, including writers and filmmakers, lived through a horror movie scenario.
I think this era is when 'arthouse' horrors matched the bleakness of our time, starting in 2014 - The Babodook, It Follows, The Witch - films that were more slow paced & atmospheric, introspective & visceral. Later films like Hereditary, Barbarian, and Bring Her Back would match this sense of dread.
Some time ago i got struck by the idea that somehow this horror "reinassance" kind of started after "cabin in the woods". Like it rebooted mainstream horror and made a fresh start possible.
@deciduousrex1219I see EVERYBODY talking bout how this movie will traumatize you. Bro...is this movie really good like EVERYBODY saying ??? I was gonna see it when I see it but yall got me wanting to check it out ASAP😂
Im jealous you get to experience for the first time. I loved it so much. My teenager kids, who are so picky and annoyed with movies, were left speechless. In great way. Enjoy!
I can really see the gray/white in the beard. Same thing with Jahns’s. I think a a lot of us have been following these guy like a decade now I see them growing gray/white.
I just saw it today.. what an experience, i never felt so uncomfortable watching scenes, it's the involuntary acts like the knife scene that really are hard to watch, this movie will leave you not wanting more, which in most horror movies you wish there was more like you feel something was missing or you wish the villain did more, this was the first film where the movie ended and i had to take a deep breath and decompress. Definitely worth the watch. Great film.
Just saw it last night with my girl and she literally cried because of how sad she felt for Sally's character, and also Andy, but yea to me this movie was definitely better than Talk to Me even though i loved Talk to me so much this movie was just good, really really good would recommend.
Love the new set up Chris, I've been busy becoming an adult so havent seen your videos in a while but I always come back to them. Been here since 2012 when I was 12! Its crazy that in that time you've made your own film and built a family. Thanks for always being a role model and for reminding me that my love for film is paramount and more important than my ambitions in the medium.
3:34 Complaining that trauma is always the focus point of horror movies, is like complaining that humor is always the focus point of comedies. People are just discovering what has always been there and acting like they're the first ones to notice it.
Its one of the many different things that have been in the media and in fiction and in entertainment for a very long time but its only recently that people started to have a problem with it because people are way more sensitive and easily offended now than in the past.
Does this film have a lot of Jump Scares in it? I ask because I’ve gotten to a point where I just don’t care for that kind of horror anymore. But I love character driven horror with tense scenes, just don’t want a bunch of mini heart attacks the whole time.
This is right up your alley. Super character driven, very intense sequences, very few if any jump scares, be warned though some scenes are very disturbing. Loved it though.
For a moment I thought the front part was him trying to do a plug in ad again (which I understand) but I’m so ptsd I’m about to fast forward only to find out he’s genuinely talking about the set up!
I loved this movie, but at one point while watching it in the theater I looked over at my wife and said "can this movie be over now?" I really genuinely got the same feeling from this film that I got when watched Martyrs for the first time
I've never seen so many bags of unfinished popcorn at the end of a movie
That’s why rushed through mine, i knew what i was getting myself into😂
No one ever finishes pop corn ....tf
@Skiiimask
I DO 😊.
Right 😂 @BankBros_TV
@BankBros_TVright wth
These guys saw Hereditary and were like "oh you guys want TRAUMA?"
Hilarious
Thx @Guruji-pj1dx
@Guruji-pj1dx thx
😂😂😂
I really didn't draw any similarities to Hereditary. Could you help me understand?
I just wanted to hug Ollie at the end of the movie, it was so sad.
***Spoiler warning***
In that one scene where he starts messing up Laura's arm I was starting to root for him to just straight up eat her throat out. Also, I don't know what word I would use to describe the level of hate/sympathy I felt for Laura by the end.
You mean Connor 😉
the only thing it wasn't Ollie
why ollie ? I want to hug the mom
@georgegeorge6936 i'd want to hug Andy, that kid was gaslit the whole length of the movie
The knife chewing scene is what did it for me
That and munching on the kitchen worktop.
😂 insane, we all turned either left or right!
Horror movies being good warms my heart.
Arguably the best genre in my opinion. I just love it so much. Especially when we’re able to get experiences like Get Out, Hereditary, The Thing, and Talk To Me.
@mkjackson44yes, if done right, horror movies are the most delicious thing to ever experience. Agreed.
@smoovetelmen Mind sharing some of your favorites? I recommend MADS, Climax, Green Room, and When Evil Lurks
@smoovetelmendelicious lol crazy word to say especially regarding the film 😂
@mkjackson44the VVITCH if you haven’t seen it (A24 The Witch)
This was an incredible film. 10/10. I HATED THE ENTIRE EXPERIENCE
He hasn’t even started talking about the movie. And you sold me on the movie all ready
Huh
I gave it an 8/10. It was too traumatic for words....
Yeah, these guys have a certain something to their movies!! I hated watching the 1 minute long trailer, but i cant wait to see it!!🤗🤗🖤🖤
@squatch1565exactly. But even more so, honestly. This may have been the most effective film at upsetting me that I’ve seen in years. Maybe I was just younger when I saw Se7en and other films like Saving Private Ryan, but I found enjoyment in them. This was a harrowing experience. And I mean that in the best way. Art is best when it affects you. And I was definitely affected.
One thing I really liked with this is that the Philippou brothers didn't just make another Talk To Me. They stepped out of their comfort zone just enough to show some variety in their work. While Talk To Me was a visceral and brutal tour de force, this was a lot more of a slow burn, character driven film with a lot more emotion to it.
I feel like they're attempting to build a trilogy, I'm hyped 🔥🔥
You're right, they just made a lesser version of Hereditary instead
@Trill_Tourdon’t you feel superior after making this dumbass comment
It didnt feel slow i wasnt bored for a second in this movie thats why i give it a 10 its was so good
I would say this was a step ip from Talk To Me 😮
This is what happens when a horror movie is actually horror. The ENTIRE theatre was silent at the end credits.....
A true horror. Prepare to be traumatized....
Absolute 10/10
Well done Australia!
Same in my theater I think we were all traumatized.
It's a watered down version of Hereditary. Not remotely scary
How many people were actually in the theater? 😂
@Trill_Touragain A24 Fanboys glazing . . Thanks for being honest bro
@Trill_Tour Lmao you are not tuff lil bro
Watched last night and it left us speechless.
Nobody said a word as the movie finished
Same....
they couldn't talk through the vomit
Wdym? Everyone sleeping?
I've never been speechless and this was the first time I didn't know what to say. I was just so horrified by the whole thing and I loved it!! This is how to make a horror film. Great acting, and no dumb lines. This is an award winning movie in my opinion. Superb!!
Not even ‘blimey’ or ‘bloody hell’?
From RUclips videos to Talk To Me to this? These brothers are setting a high standard for RUclipsrs reaching the level of filmmakers.
Too bad most people have a neutral or negative outlook on “youtubers” as a whole because of a select few that cause drama and become publicly known for not good reasons. I’d like to steer clear of calling these brothers “youtubers” anymore given the fact that their soul focus has been on film. For me I’d call them directors/producers/filmmakers with a history in RUclips fame.
You would be amazed at what “average” ppl can do with a budget. It’s usually the only thing stopping them
They’re filmmakers. Period. These guys have proved them self completely. They’re made 2 incredible films, Bring Her Back is one of my favorite horror films in years and years
I haven't felt this kind of anguish throughout a film since Hereditary
That's what I've heard.
Then I’m probably going to struggle. Yikes. Hereditary is the only film that left a mark.
This movie is beyond hereditary this people now how to make you feel really uncomfortable
This film has the same issue with Hereditary: an incredibly poor pacing that makes your eyes go “hurry up and get somewhere” and when the film does, you feel underwhelmed.
So they included some macabre knife-eating scenes or whatever to take your minds off the fact WE need to know what’s going on as much as the dumbfounded foster kids did. Just showing random bits of ritual behavior doesn’t really help us put the pieces together they way they should fit, to understand what the creators wanted to show us.
@GizmoBeachfrom someone that commented good things about “drop”I would think this film might be confusing for you. Maybe give it a second watch, and keep up!
Trauma is horror. Either it's horror because of trauma inflicted or horror because of fear of trauma.
Saw this today, and not kidding, two adults (maybe two older sisters idk) walked in with about 15 children under the age of 11-12 to this movie... if you've seen it you know how crazy that is but even based on the ad this is clearly not for CHILDREN???
As the group came in (late) someone ran down and asked the adults if they were in the wrong cinema ...apparently not.
They were loud, standing up, moving around and disinterested. Everyone else in the theatre was pissed off. But once that knife scene came up and things started to escalate the kids all upped and left...clearly uncomfortable
Anyway, let it be known that this isn't for 10 year olds 😅
Now thats what i call a core memory they will never forget
Wow. That’s the same thing I remember about the first IT movie, seen a whole family with kids come in, now they didn’t go crazy and seemingly well behaved but I’m sure those kids had nightmares seeing that movie. Eh, I guess ever kid has to have their scary creepy thing as a child lol
Mine was 13 ghost and jeepsers creepers lol. Although I was a kid I was still a young guy because chucky and Freddy Kruger didn’t scare me AT ALL. Actually thought they were funny haha
@elvingearmasterirma7241100%, the sudden silence out of all of them was deafening 😂
Did they cry? Lol.
@briangrandis7752 just stunned silence hahaha
terrifying movie. It goes well beyond horror. It's a drama about loss and the legnths a person would go to overcome it. A family tragedy, an atmopsheric masterpiece. Amazing actors, incredible practical effects. 10/10 totally
Lengths? She's a fucking psycho. Am I supposed to feel sorry for her with all the flashback on Cathy? Fck no. I felt so mad that Andy died and it felt like villain didn't get justice. I love the first two Acts, but the 3rd part fell off for me.
Yeah it's a pretty good horror drama
Sally Hawkins CRUSHES IT in this movie. Her performance is so fantastic, and her character is so grounded that this almost didn’t even read as a horror film to me. More like a very spooky (and violent) family drama.
The more I think about this movie, the more intentional I realise EVERYTHING is. As an Australian, I also think this movie is a bit of a push back on a pervasive current issue of how we treat young boys experiencing trauma and hardship. How hard Andy has to fight not only his own emotions and trauma, but also the stigma of previous "delinquent" actions - that something he did will never be forgiven, no matter how much he does for others. His story is utterly heartbreaking.
Great comment.
I think it’s so specifically heartbreaking too that’s she’s hurting / killing other kids. Like on this effort to bring her child back and be a mother again she kidnaps, abuses, and psychologically tortures 3 more kids. Which all results in not even getting her kid back. The ending scene was haunting and I was crying from the moment piper heard the plan go by. They did a fantastic job with Lisas character and I can’t wait to see what they come out with next!
I literally walked out of the theater with my wife and said “now THAT is a horror movie” she agreed totally. The feeling of dread, suspense, and horror that was built throughout the movie was immaculate. Genuinely hard to watch at certain points. 9.5/10 would recommend and watch again! Can’t wait for them to make more movies!!!
It's there cat gore abuse 🤢? I can't stand stuff like that.
@nmmk9134the cat lives I’m pretty sure, but it’s not unharmed. That’s all I will say 🥺
@nmmk9134animal gore is what crosses the line for you? 🙄 pansies
Movie was a waste of time. Stupid movie
@fallguy4209 can uou recomend a good horror 🍿🎥?
I liked this one better than Talk To Me. Sally Hawkins was absurdly good in this. They've managed two bangers at this point. I'm pretty excited to see what they do next.
No way I like talk to me way more!!
lol you are dreaming if you think this is in the same postcode as Talk to me.
I feel like I keep trying to scrub this movie off my skin, but it burrowed into me while watching. The experience was horrendously excellent. I haven’t stopped thinking about it.
Aussie youtubers turned filmmakers are showing how it's done, making cinema.
Spot on!
For a first performance, Sora Wong was extremely impressive imo.
So good to see fresh new talent killing it in Hollywood....
These guys aren’t Hollywood though - it’s what makes them so special!
This movie has a B+ Cinemascore…absolutely crazy for a film like this and I love that…audiences are evolving
My local cinema does this thing called Mystery Mondays, where, every Monday night, they play a random horror film, and you don't know which one they'll play in advance. This week it was "Bring her Back". I can confidently say that a film has never made me feel worse. 10/10
Give ‘Irreversible’ a go, if you want to feel awful! ;)
I wish my local cinema did that too, that sounds like fun! I just finished it and it left me speechless…. Had to put something cheery on 😭
I saw this film at a mystery screening on the 19th, and man…it was an amazing experience for sure, but so dark and disturbing that I probably won’t watch it again anytime soon. I already enjoyed Talk To Me, but the Philoppou brothers definitely outdid themselves with this one and have quickly become some of the best modern horror directors with only their sophomore film.
I hated Talk to Me, hated it, but liked this film.
Sally Hawkins never disappoints . I will watch anything she does.
So impressed
Love those Family Video signs
The bit with the knife.... I'm gonna remember that shit for the REST of my life! 🤣
I'm put off melon for a long time
My gums hurt ever since
Yup. Hard
Rarely does a horror movie write one of the main characters - Andy - so relatable and realistic and convincingly made me root for him the entire movie. I also love how Piper is written as independent and wants to be treated indifferently despite her disability, they did so well with the main protagonists casting.
What was scarier than the film, atleast for me… was my mom and sister laughing throughout the movie, while i was in complete shock.
I was laughing becus i was terrified, i don't Blame them
Love the background! Would love to see the VHS and Blu-Rays lit up and prominently featured!
I loved the background with the blue lights under your blu-rays. It set you apart and was much more eye-catching. It was a conversation starter.
One of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite RUclipsrs Morbid Zoo is, paraphrased "all horror movies are about grief, even the trashiest slasher is about how you and everyone you love will die, maybe horribly, and you are gonna have to deal with that grief". These are the horror emotions and a lot of non-horror fans, especially critics who may have dismissed horror films in the past before this "elevated horror" whatever trend, seem to think they're reaaaaaal smart when they pinpoint the emotions almost the entire genre is going for and say a whole film is about that, and not going into anything else more specific the film might be trying to say, oftentimes because it may be more uncomfortable when horror often deals with such taboo and sensitive subject matter. Instead for a lot of horror's more mainstream audience it seems like it's more about just the vibes, which is fine, horror films famously have really cool vibes. But if you're enjoying it on that level, you can't criticize it for playing into that vibe too heavy and you also can't get mad when a film maker attempts to challenge a less surface level audience maybe you really don't want to be apart of.
I agree with your take Chris! This movie is so unsettling and does a great job of exploring trauma and not explaining everything to us. Sally Hawkins did a phenomenal job, and she's such an underrated actress. All the kid actors seemed to be seasoned pros too, but almost all of them haven't done much movie work or even been in a movie before. The Philippou Twins are something else!
Haven't watched your reviews in so long... you still had braces actually🤭 it's so nice to see you're still at it and doing well 💞
I really want to watch this movie but after losing my son last year I don't think I could watch this in theaters I'll have to wait till I can watch it at home so I can take breaks
I’m so incredibly sorry for your loss ❤
This will challenge you. Sorry for your loss.
@ladyofwinterfell1509 Thank you❤
@deciduousrex1219thank you....yeah im not sure if i can handle this movie right now especially since the first anniversary of his death was this month
Sorry for your loss ❤️🩹 This movie is super intense but will undoubtedly stir a bit of catharsis in those who are dealing with grief. Worth watching down the line!
Love the background and lighting looks great. Just a slight echo as you mentioned.
1:06 I think the otherwise darker lighting kinda goes with how much you like horror/thriller films. It feels appropriate. I think you just need a rim light to separate you from the background.
Went to this movie as my first date ever. We were holding on to each other for dear life.
Definitely a good watch
😂😂
Hahaa good call! I'd be willing to bet you're together rn
This movie was very, very good. The acting was incredible. It will definitely stick with me for awhile. I had to come and watch some cartoons to decompress.
Been watching you and John since I was 8 years old and growing with you both as a person and a film fanatic.. has been a complete honor 🥰 Can’t wait to see Shelby Oaks!
The mark of the greatest filmmakers is when they refuse to explain everything in a movie. Not plot holes, just very intentional WTF moments built in. The cult stuff is not told to you, but if you pay attention to rhe tapes, its showing people bringing back loved ones with the human sacrifice ritual. The audience is never told that, you just have to realize. So smart.
It is literally spelled out in steps on the tape
@cbarber5366 🤣🤣🤣
Yeah I literally had to explain this to someone complaining that the movie has too many plot holes and things were too vague 🙄
@cbarber5366 no, its not -_-
It absolutely is, literally step by step in the tape 😂 @InitialPC
Loving the new background Chris!
How can you be mad at horror movies for having grief as a theme. Do they also watch romance movies and ask “why is love such a big theme”
well said
Stealing this.
I fully disagree. Look at a movie like the original Speak No Evil. That is a horror film that solely relies on the themes of what we are willing to put up with and accept to not rock the status quo. That's very apparent in the film when one of the characters ask "why are you doing this to us? and they respond "because you let us."
With a film like The Strangers, the core message around the film is how evil just exists and sometimes it finds you. This is summed up when the killer explains their reasoning for attacking them to be "because you were home."
There is definitely a trend in the current landscape of "elevated horror" where there is an over reliance on the idea of grief. Grief comes in many different forms, but there has been a bit too many stories that involves the loss of a loved one and how those left behind cope. There are so many things that can be scary. There are also so many different ways to tackle grief. Even Talk to Me was heavily focused around grief. In that film the main character lost their mother and the inciting incident of that film happens because she briefly has a moment where she feels she has a way to have her back.
I thought this film was excellent. They found a fairly fresh way to tell this story in their own style, but it is still a story that I have seen many many many times in the last 5-8 years.
@mitchellbrinkerdp well yea its super easy for a home invasion movie not to mention grief, id be surprised if it did. Any supernatural idea though how can you not mention it, you mentioned talk to me but the whole idea of the movie is talking to dead people for fun like of course you can do something interesting with that using the theme of grief. Or they can just make a story with no depth and be like paranormal activity. Griefs also not an “idea” its just a part of life everyone handles differently.
@lou7980I think you fundamentally missed what Talk to Me was about. I'm not sure you're getting what I'm saying, but that's fine.
This new back drop is 🔥. Id personally love a setup like this myself. Feels exactly like the movie rental shops from the 90s.
Very quiet movie theatre, tells you everything.
Dark, disturbing, sad....brilliant.
These brothers are going places fast, and are using some very innovative filming techniques.
Here comes Hollywood. These guys are the real deal
Just watched with my wife and we both LOVED this experience
Can't wait to see it, I've been hearing a lot of Great/Bad things about it! Seems like this would be a nice double feature with Hereditary.
The family video signage brings me back (pun intended). I loved going to the one by my house as a kid and now it’s like a tire shop haha.
This is one of the BEST horror movies ever. The acting, script, and direction are all superlative. Why "Bring Her Back" is not getting as much attention as some other recent horror films is baffling. As of Aug. 2025, Sally Hawkins is giving the most Oscar-worthy performance of this year, and Jonah Wren Phillips is a remarkable new horror icon. Fine work also by Billy Barratt, Sorah Wong, and Sally-Anne Upton. The Philippou brothers have created great art with is excellent movie.
The themes of loss and grief really reminded me of the babadook
My Favourite Horror Film of the Year so far.
really glad we got a proper review for this movie. still wierd that there was only a pre-production podcast episode for talk to me, but glad to hear your thoughts on this one
I found this movie very emotional. The mom was awful and did so many terrible things, but the reality is she was just a mom who was devestated by the death of her child. I never root for anyone in a horror movie, their purpose is usually to die. But I found myself really wanting andy to live. The way this movie plays out is incredible. A great horror movie.
I like how you don’t pull spoilers and you explain the movie pros and cons to the T. Thank you I’ll check this out today
Doesn't come out in france until 30th of July (hopefully) can't wait to see it !
Line up a good therapist now....
This is 10/10. Left the entire theatre silent.....
It was so refreshing to see some RUclips film makers that have learned the true art of restraint when needed in storytelling. It gives me hope
I can't watch the film because of certain triggers, so I'm living it vicariously through you 😅
I feel it..I'm torn.
I'm a foster parent and have seen and heard of very traumatic stories.
But I also love top tier horror films..🤷♂️
I respect your decision, it was a lot. But it was peak horror.
Talk to me was way better but that’s just me
The very slight echo and reverb sounds great on my home theatre lol 👌
Surprisingly this was the first horror film that I saw people walk out of (it was during that knife scene). In their defense, I saw it as part of a secret movie series so those people probably had ZERO idea what movie they were getting themselves into. Still though, great film and I loved it.
Phenomenal storytelling and movie! Well done everyone involved ❤
2:26 This specific part of the movie is one of the most fucked up things I've ever seen 😂
At the end of the movie everyone in the theater was talking to each other and asking why we watched it lol high schoolers are going to be having nightmares for awhile. They said they almost left
I watched this last night, and...phew. Uncomfortable, tense, and incredibly sad. I truly didn't know how it was going to end. I loved and hated every minute of it! I will think about this one for a long time.
I know that feeling you described at the end but instead of children it was my cat. I had to give her so much love when I got home. Great film but tough watch
Second best film this year next to ‘Sinners’ 🤩🤩
Whaaaaaadddd! 🤣🤣
Sinners was good, not good like this kind of good. It didn't leave feeling like this movie did. I was literally speechless. In a amazingly beautiful, devastating way.
Sinners was terrible IMHO.
I liked this film much better than sinners.
Nothing makes sense in Bring Her Back. Sinners is film of the year.
Phillipou bros are literally real life "Terrence and Phillip" 😂
It feels like we’re smack dab in the middle of a horror movie golden age. Once we’ve gone through it, will be the only way to kind of analyze it and see when it started. What caused it and then look through all the amazing films that were made in the same way we analyze the horror films of the 1980s. It’s exciting.
i personally believe it's a result of the pandemic and the social unrest from it. everyone, including writers and filmmakers, lived through a horror movie scenario.
I think this era is when 'arthouse' horrors matched the bleakness of our time, starting in 2014 - The Babodook, It Follows, The Witch - films that were more slow paced & atmospheric, introspective & visceral. Later films like Hereditary, Barbarian, and Bring Her Back would match this sense of dread.
@ytuber1115yes we did. I spent 5 days in hospital. Was brutal. Alone for like 2 months.
@leeemototally. Some great films.
Some time ago i got struck by the idea that somehow this horror "reinassance" kind of started after "cabin in the woods". Like it rebooted mainstream horror and made a fresh start possible.
This improved upon Talk to Me in everyway possible I was absolutely stunned
I'm actually going to see this tonight and I must say I'm nervous because of how scary people are claiming it is, wish me luck 🤞🏼😬
Line up a good therapist now.....10/10 horror
@deciduousrex1219lol oh shit I'm terrified now but thanks 👍🏼
Just finished seeing it and it’s very disturbing. 10/10.
@VivalaMeowMeowLuname and my hubby are going to see it tonight for our date night so I'm gonna try and be brave and get through it!! I'm scared 😳
How was it jenxstv1067
0:40 background looks the same and if you didn’t say anything i would never know
Talk to Me was SUCHHHH a damn good movie. Very excited for this one!!
Dude, one human to another: prepare yourself for trauma. That being said, this movie was EXCELLENT.
@deciduousrex1219I see EVERYBODY talking bout how this movie will traumatize you. Bro...is this movie really good like EVERYBODY saying ??? I was gonna see it when I see it but yall got me wanting to check it out ASAP😂
@michaeloubre2237this movie is f***** up on a lot of levels, way more so compared to talk to me
I watched Talk to Me, but I'm curious as to what you'd rate on a scale of 1-5.
Loved Talk to Me and so happy that I also loved Bring Her Back. Both great movies IMO and I can't wait to buy this one on 4k.
Thanks for heads up 👍
Still waiting on Shelby Oaks man. I had paid for the blu-ray last year. Can we get an update?
@K_Robyeah I did see his video. He did it almost a year ago. I said can we get an update if you made it that far in my comment
Welcome back Chris !!!!!
If you are a pre-teen / teen boy in a Philippou movie - you are going to have a real bad time.
Really want to see some behind the scenes of how they did two certain scenes in the kitchen lol
Going to see this in a few hours! So excited
Im jealous you get to experience for the first time. I loved it so much. My teenager kids, who are so picky and annoyed with movies, were left speechless. In great way. Enjoy!
Prepare yourself.
That was... a lot. But it was incredible. @abelbojorquez6325
@abelbojorquez6325you watched this movie with your kids lmfao you’re insane
@andy0358 lol I didn't what i was in for. 14 and 12 year old. Probably traumatized, but they loved it.
You are the best movie reviewer. You absolutely know what what you’re talking about ❤
I can really see the gray/white in the beard. Same thing with Jahns’s. I think a a lot of us have been following these guy like a decade now I see them growing gray/white.
Looks like he’s shedding some dad weight too lol
R u a toddler? Everything on this planet, decays in time.
Love the new background
Saw this at an AMC Unseen, I give it an 8/10. But for some weird reason the directors made an intro and spoiled the whole f$%🤬 plot
How was it spoiled?? Never got that vibe at all !! It's Self-Explanatory what's happening, not surprising 🤷🏾♂️💯
I just saw it today.. what an experience, i never felt so uncomfortable watching scenes, it's the involuntary acts like the knife scene that really are hard to watch, this movie will leave you not wanting more, which in most horror movies you wish there was more like you feel something was missing or you wish the villain did more, this was the first film where the movie ended and i had to take a deep breath and decompress. Definitely worth the watch. Great film.
just be amazed how beautiful this movie is
How do you describe the movie as beautiful?
especially the final shot and some of the transitions
Just saw it last night with my girl and she literally cried because of how sad she felt for Sally's character, and also Andy, but yea to me this movie was definitely better than Talk to Me even though i loved Talk to me so much this movie was just good, really really good would recommend.
From what i heard sora wong is actually visually impaired so great casting for her
she also had zero acting background and yet she crushed it.
Love the new set up Chris, I've been busy becoming an adult so havent seen your videos in a while but I always come back to them. Been here since 2012 when I was 12! Its crazy that in that time you've made your own film and built a family. Thanks for always being a role model and for reminding me that my love for film is paramount and more important than my ambitions in the medium.
3:34 Complaining that trauma is always the focus point of horror movies, is like complaining that humor is always the focus point of comedies. People are just discovering what has always been there and acting like they're the first ones to notice it.
Its one of the many different things that have been in the media and in fiction and in entertainment for a very long time but its only recently that people started to have a problem with it because people are way more sensitive and easily offended now than in the past.
lol right on!
i saw this last night w a packed theatre. EVERYONE was looking away and audibly shocked throughout the movie, but ESPECIALLY during the third act
Does this film have a lot of Jump Scares in it? I ask because I’ve gotten to a point where I just don’t care for that kind of horror anymore. But I love character driven horror with tense scenes, just don’t want a bunch of mini heart attacks the whole time.
This is right up your alley. Super character driven, very intense sequences, very few if any jump scares, be warned though some scenes are very disturbing. Loved it though.
@mikekasabionthank you for the reply. Sounds like I need to see this movie!
For a moment I thought the front part was him trying to do a plug in ad again (which I understand) but I’m so ptsd I’m about to fast forward only to find out he’s genuinely talking about the set up!
Never managed to see Talk To Me until recently. Finally caught it on streaming and godDAMN I loved it.
Can't wait to see this one!
Seriously, where is Shelby Oaks? Where can I watch it??
It could be a better film than "Talk to Me" but that doesn’t mean you'd want to watch it more than "Talk to Me."
Oh man, you said it....
wish he would play/review clair obscur expedition 33
When’s your movie coming out? I haven’t seen any updates on it
I wonder what happens to the donated money if decides not to release the movie
It was all a big scam!!
Just kidding 😆 I'm sure he's working on the formalities before the official release. We'll get an update soon.
A quick google search will tell you it’s coming out in October
I loved this movie, but at one point while watching it in the theater I looked over at my wife and said "can this movie be over now?" I really genuinely got the same feeling from this film that I got when watched Martyrs for the first time
It's so gross and fucked up!
Hereditary esqe.
And like Hereditary it won't get Oscar consideration for acting.
Didn't even know about it, but loved Talk to Me, so much fun. Will go see this!