Coming to PH Cinemas July 16 (R-16)
Fresh off their breakout hit Talk to Me, directing duo Danny and Michael Philippou return with Bring Her Back, a chilling character-driven horror film starring Sally Hawkins, Billy Barratt, and Sora Wong as a fractured foster family. The R-16 rated film arrives in Philippine cinemas July 16 uncut.
Where Talk to Me delivered party-fueled scares, the Philippou brothers shift focus to intimate terror with Bring Her Back. “This is a contained story about three characters and their crumbling relationships,” Danny explains. At its center is Hawkins as Laura, a foster mother whose mysterious rituals unsettle her new charges – visually impaired Piper (Wong) and her protective brother Andy (Barratt).
Hawkins brought unexpected depth to Laura, transforming what was written as a confident character into someone wrestling with moral ambiguity. “Sally created elaborate backstories that added layers we never imagined,” Michael reveals. The Oscar-nominated actress praised the directors’ collaborative approach: “They gave me the space to explore this delicate, terrifying role while feeling completely supported.”
Authentic Representation
The filmmakers prioritized casting a vision-impaired actor for Piper, discovering 12-year-old Wong whose audition stunned them. “Her improv wasn’t acting – she became Piper,” Michael recalls. Wong connected deeply with the rare opportunity: “There aren’t many main characters with visual impairments. I wanted to portray her right.”
Barratt, an International Emmy winner at 13, completes the trio as Andy. The Philippous had sought to cast him in Talk to Me, and found his chemistry with Wong electrifying. “We developed a trust that carried through the toughest scenes,” Barratt shares.
Bring Her Back unravels its secrets in a secluded home where foster care becomes a nightmare. Watch the trailer here: youtu.be/Mu1-DTIBirI
Distributed by Columbia Pictures Philippines, the film continues A24’s tradition of elevated horror when it opens July 16.
Photo & Video Credit: “Columbia Pictures”
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