“Talk to Me” was 2022’s best horror for me. The same directors Danny and Michael Philippou return with another stunning horror film. A horror film that hits all the nerves of being absolutely unsettling. There are no monsters, no masks, or signature weapon for the killer, instead its meaty weapon for its characters and its viewers is trauma inside and out.  Almost entirely absent of any comedy in it Bring Her Back may or may not be the best horror film of the year, but it will be the most unforgettable. A  film that fits in the extremities subgenre of horror.  An all encumbering disturbing film. 

The primary focus of the film is the stepsister (partially blind) and older stepbrother placed in a foster home after the horrific death of their father in the shower. A scene so well crafted we understand why the son refuses to go near one after, or even a pool. Once placed in the foster home of Laura’s they meet another boy Oliver. Oliver has decided to be mute, and wears all the signs of being abused and distressed on his precious face. There’s not much I can divulge of the plot after that will spoil it, but the grief of losing someone and the craving of them returning is at its core. The film does a masterful job demonstrating that the obsession, the desire of wanting someone to come back to you is wholeheartedly selfish. The disregard of others and even the person that you so desperately want to return inflicts damage and dire consequences on all.  And there’s a lot of damage. 

The film overall works because of the outstanding work of all the child actors in it. Each gives a remarkable, palatable performance.  The directors are able to maintain the uneasiness of the film in its quieter, softer moments. The directors know when to place the camera on the action and show it, and when not showing it for more effectiveness. There is never a time to deflate, the script does well to play on the sense of water as a play of metaphor.  The unkept empty pool in the foster home backyard  film is a great visual of a vacancy of home and of person. An empty pool also means never having to fear things coming up to the surface, or staying under.  The status quo, and rising action work tremendously for me. The movie does well leaving a thread of a mystery along, but what hurts it for me is the closure ending for me. For a film that maintained shock and disturbing scenes of self-mutilation and the horror of parental abuse, it abandoned the thread of its mysticism that began the film and carried along. We never see what the film presented as possible. The ending is something that I feel would have delivered a greater punch if it went even more nihilistic, but still a solid horror film no less.  Bring Her Back is one of those horror films that will be difficult for a second viewing.