Coming off the huge success of Talk to Me last year, directors Danny and Michael Philippou certainly had many choices open to them. Their first big movie made a lot of money and earned a lot of praise from important people like Peter Jackson and Jordan Peele. So, everyone wondered what they would do next. The smart money was on a quick follow-up to their hit horror film. But instead, they made a different scary movie called Bring Her Back. This choice was a bit of a surprise, but it seems it was the right one for them.
When Talk to Me came out in July 2023, the Australian twin brothers already had a new Street Fighter video game project on their plate. They also quickly signed up for a Talk to Me sequel. But an older script they had written, Bring Her Back, kept calling to them. They knew a Talk to Me 2 would always be there as an option. So, the Philippous decided to use their new popularity to make this other original horror movie. A24, the film's distributor, was fine with their change of plans. However, some of the people funding movies were less thrilled.
Danny Philippou explained to The Hollywood Reporter that some funders asked "What about Talk to Me 2?" when they saw the Bring Her Back script. He added that making a sequel was supposed to be their next step. But Danny really wanted to make this one. A24 supported their decision. Michael Philippou said that going straight into Talk to Me 2 felt like they would just be trying to cash in on the hype. He felt they needed a break from that story. This would let them come back to it later with new ideas. This personal approach to filmmaking is something I can really appreciate.
The Filmmakers' Personal Stories Influenced The Dark Themes Found In Bring Her Back
How Grief And Other Real-Life Experiences Shaped The Movie's Disturbing Narrative
Like Talk to Me, Bring Her Back looks at how far people will go to deal with grief. In this film, Sally Hawkins plays a foster mother named Laura. She gives a home to a brother and sister, Andy (Billy Barratt) and Piper (Sora Wong), who recently lost their parents. Piper cannot see very well. Slowly, Andy starts to see strange and scary things happening in Laura's house. He struggles to tell Piper because of her vision and Laura's constant meddling. The Philippous were not done looking at grief. Sadly, grief was not done with them either.
Bring Her Back is dedicated to Harley Wallace, a friend the brothers lost shortly before filming began. Michael Philippou said his friend's passing was out of nowhere. It changed how some of the scenes played out. He explained that when you are dealing with grief, you try to ignore it. But then it comes out in other ways during filming. He said that once a movie starts production, there is no stopping it. So that grief somehow went into the film. This raw honesty about their feelings must make the movie even more impactful for them.
The Philippou brothers have confirmed that Talk to Me and Bring Her Back are set in the same world. There is no clear link in the film. But they are working on something else that will help show the connection. Sophie Wilde, who starred in Talk to Me, even has a small appearance in Bring Her Back. She plays a different small role, called "Middle Aged Mum #4." Danny Philippou said they promised each other that Sophie would be involved in everything they make in the future. Even if it is just a voice in the background. They love her for supporting them on set.
Sally Hawkins Delivers A Shocking Performance And Child Actors Shine In Bring Her Back
From Paddington's Sweet Mother To A Truly Disturbing Foster Parent, Hawkins Is Unforgettable
Sally Hawkins' performance as Laura is certainly one of the most talked-about parts of Bring Her Back. She is known for playing kind, loving mothers in films like Paddington. So, her role as this unsettling foster parent is quite a turn. The Philippou brothers have joked about what happened to her character between Paddington 2 and 3. Danny Philippou noted that Hawkins is naturally maternal and kind. He wondered what would happen if she brought those natural qualities to a darker version of a mother. That idea fascinated him. Michael added that Laura was like that before her own tragedy. She used to help children as a child psychologist. But now she uses those skills to hurt others. Sally truly delivered a powerful and disturbing performance.
Billy Barratt as Andy also gives a strong showing. The Philippou brothers had tried to cast him in Talk to Me before. Billy was going to play Riley in that film. But he connected with Andy in Bring Her Back because he knew people like him. Michael Philippou said that after seeing Billy in another film, Responsible Child, they noticed a certain darkness in his acting. He knew Billy could play this damaged character in a real way. Sora Wong, who plays Piper, is also excellent. She relies on others' descriptions of the world. This creates an interesting dynamic where she has to decide who to trust. Piper's character was based on a friend's non-sighted sister. That friend told the directors she was glad she could not see the ugly things in the world. This statement became a major theme for the film.
The sound design in Bring Her Back is also something people are talking about. It adds a whole new level of discomfort. Michael Philippou shared a funny story about the sound of chewing on a knife. He said the original recording was not sounding right. So, Danny went into the studio and chewed on a knife while they recorded it. He even showed video proof. They did the same for the sound of chewing on a table. The sound editor, Emma Bortignon, layered 750 sounds into the film. This level of detail makes the movie even more unsettling. It shows how much thought they put into making the horror feel real even if you close your eyes.
What Lies Ahead For The Philippou Brothers And Their Growing Horror Universe?
The Directors Discuss Their Future Projects And How They Maintain Creative Control
The title Bring Her Back also becomes a line of dialogue in the film. Danny Philippou said it was always meant to be that way and the buildup to it felt natural. Michael Philippou noted that the film is about truth and lies. It is about what you see and what you do not see. When there is nothing left to hide, the truth comes out. This connects back to their friend's sister not wanting to see the ugly parts of the world. It is a clear theme throughout the movie.
The Philippou brothers also touched on their working style. They praise A24 for being a "filmmaker-first" company. This means they are not constantly given notes or told what to change. They can drive the creative process. This freedom is likely why their films feel so unique and personal. It sounds like they found a great partner in A24. They can tell the stories they want to tell without a lot of outside interference. This is so important for directors, especially in the horror genre where bold choices can make all the difference.
As for Talk to Me 2, the directors have written two different scripts. Danny shared that one script directly continues the story from the first movie. The other script focuses on a new set of characters. It is more of a "sidequel." They want to step away from it for a while. This will let them come back feeling refreshed and with a new perspective. Michael said going straight into the sequel would have felt like they were just chasing the hype. They wanted to ensure the next Talk to Me story works on its own. This thoughtful approach suggests they are more interested in telling good stories than rushing out sequels. This is good news for fans. It means they care about quality over quick cash.
The brothers also talked about their mysterious "co-writer" Bill Hinzman. People have wondered if Bill Hinzman is actually Michael. But Danny said he could never write a script with Michael. He said Bill Hinzman has a much deeper understanding of story. He can create the whole structure of a film. Michael joked that he is not that smart. He said he wishes he could understand story like Hinzman. This ongoing joke about Bill Hinzman adds a fun, personal touch to their interviews. It makes them seem more human and approachable.
The Impact Of Bring Her Back And The Directors' Future In Horror Cinema
A Look At How This New Film Sets The Stage For What Comes Next From The Philippou Brothers
Many people who do not usually watch horror movies might still like Bring Her Back. The directors often say it is a character-driven film. It works just as well as a drama as it does a horror movie. They aim to make characters feel real. Their struggles should make sense even without the scary parts. This makes their films relatable to a wider audience. They want characters who could hold their own in a drama film, even if the horror elements were removed. This is a smart way to make horror more appealing to those who typically avoid it.
The film certainly delivers on being deeply unsettling. Some critics have called it a truly disturbing experience. It pushes boundaries with its visuals and sounds. But it also has an underlying story of grief and human connection. This mix of intense horror with strong emotional themes is becoming a trademark for the Philippou brothers. They are proving that they can create movies that are not only scary but also make you think and feel. This makes them stand out in the world of horror today.
Overall, Bring Her Back is a strong follow-up to Talk to Me. It shows that Danny and Michael Philippou are not afraid to take risks. They are committed to their vision. They are also building a reputation for making original and impactful films. I believe they have a very bright future in cinema. They will continue to surprise us with their unique approach to storytelling. I am excited to see what they create next. Whether it is a direct sequel to Talk to Me or another original horror film, I will be watching.