Thu May 29 21:40:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

“Bring Her Back,” a new horror film from A24, follows orphaned siblings Andy and Piper as they enter foster care with the eccentric Laura. Laura’s bizarre behavior and obsession with Piper, who is blind, create a tense atmosphere as Andy tries to protect his sister. The film explores themes of trauma, grief, and the failures of child protective services, featuring graphic visuals and occult elements. While the film excels in its makeup, sound design, and performances from Sally Hawkins and Billy Barratt, it struggles to achieve emotional catharsis due to its underdeveloped characters and excessive insanity.

**News Article:**

**A24’s “Bring Her Back” Delivers Horror with a Twist**

By JAKE COYLE
AP Film Writer

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

NEW YORK (AP) – A24’s latest horror offering, “Bring Her Back,” arrives in theaters this Friday, promising a chilling exploration of trauma, grief, and the complexities of foster care. Starring Sally Hawkins as the unsettling foster mother, Laura, and Billy Barratt as the protective older brother, Andy, the film plunges viewers into a nightmare scenario as orphaned siblings Andy and Piper (Sora Wong) find themselves in her secluded home.

Laura’s strange behavior, including a fascination with Piper, who is blind, and the presence of another bizarre, mute child named Olly (Jonah Wren Phillips), quickly escalate the tension. The film, directed by Australian filmmakers Michael and Danny Philippou, known for “Talk to Me,” doesn’t shy away from graphic visuals, incorporating elements of the occult and unsettling reveals.

Barratt delivers a strong performance as Andy, navigating his own trauma while attempting to shield his sister from Laura’s increasingly deranged actions. Hawkins, known for her roles in “Paddington” and “Wonka,” sheds her nurturing persona for a delightfully disturbing portrayal of Laura, managing to infuse the character with a sliver of empathy despite her unhinged nature.

While “Bring Her Back” boasts impressive makeup, sound design, and acting, it falls short of achieving true emotional catharsis, leaving some character arcs underdeveloped. The film is rated R for “some grisly images, language, graphic nudity, strong violent content, underage drinking” and runs for 104 minutes. It receives two and a half stars out of four.

[**Associated Press photos of Sally Hawkins, Jonah Wren Phillips, and scenes from the film are available for download and use.**]

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