Movies

Bring Her Back

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Many films subtly touch on more than their surface content, but some do it exceptionally well, and horror movies often excel at this. The movie “Bring Her Back” serves as an illustration of such a horror film. It’s a genuinely unsettling production that delves into various themes.

This film, released in 2025, is truly captivating and stands out as one of the year’s best horror productions. It might even be among my favorites from the past ten years. Time will tell if it ultimately earns a spot among the greatest horror movies ever made, but it has certainly left a deep impact on me. The movie delves into themes of possession, both literal and symbolic monsters, and perils hidden within our homes and families, making for a riveting watch.

Those are some of the biggest aspects, but I need to discuss how it tackles grief and abuse.

Warning: Bring Her Back spoilers are ahead. Proceed with caution.

I Felt The Grief All Throughout Bring Her Back

In this movie titled “Bring Her Back“, grief is portrayed as a formidable antagonist. It’s among the top movies I’ve watched on this theme, particularly within the horror genre. The film uniquely demonstrates that profound sorrow can transform an individual into a monster. Initially a caring and protective figure towards children, Laura (played by Sally Hawkins), is driven to extremes following her daughter’s demise. Her sole mission becomes bringing her daughter back from the dead.

The profound sorrow over Cathy (Mischa Heywood) pushes her to harm multiple children. She no longer perceives them as anything beyond a possible means to resurrect Cathy. While most people won’t resort to the same drastic actions as Laura when grieving, they may cope in harmful ways, such as succumbing to addictions. Addiction has the potential to transform even the most innocent person into a menacing figure.

In the narrative, both Piper (Sora Wong) and Andy (Billy Barratt) share a common sorrow over their deceased father. However, Andy’s relationship with him carries additional complexities. While we see glimpses of Piper’s grief, such as clinging to her father’s pillow, it is Andy’s mourning that takes center stage in the story.

However, Bring Her Back’s Tragedy Isn’t Just Grief, But Child Abuse

It’s revealed that Andy and Piper’s father had a history of mistreating Andy. He concealed this fact from Piper, which fostered some animosity towards her during their childhood years. As a result, Andy has been prone to outbursts. Since then, he has made it his priority to safeguard Piper.

When Laura joins the group, she uncovers Andy’s deceit towards Piper. What makes Andy’s sorrow intriguing is that it’s not just grief, but also a struggle with guilt. He might be feeling guilty because he believes he could have done more to prevent his father’s passing.

Yet, there’s a possibility he feels somewhat freed as he won’t have to bear any more mistreatment. Dealing with guilt for feeling this way might be complex for Andy. Moreover, his situation mirrors a shift from one harmful environment to another. Laura inflicts harm on both Piper and Andy, but Andy seems to receive the brunt of it.

She unconsciously begins to control and psychologically mistreat Andy, making him feel unwanted. Then she attempts to portray him as a villain who could potentially play the role of her father. It’s heart-wrenching to witness Laura emotionally torment Andy, given his past. He is also an exceptional boy who solely aims to safeguard Piper.

The most traumatic parts of Bring Her Back are watching Laura manipulate these siblings.

I Can Sympathize With Laura, But Also Find Her Repulsive

Grief is a deeply complex feeling, especially when it comes to losing someone dear. I’ve never gone through the heartbreak of losing a child, but it’s often described as the most tragic event one can face. I empathize with Laura and her reasons, yet I don’t share her actions. Essentially, she lets a demon take hold of Oliver (Jonah Wren Phillips), which fundamentally changes him. Oliver manages to survive, but he’s unlikely to be the same person ever again. The same applies to Piper in this situation.

Laura, who is trained as a social worker, exploits her profession to harm and potentially kill numerous young victims. Despite understanding her pain, I find her character detestable. Her actions are so heinous that she ranks among the most terrifying villains in horror movie history. Occasionally, I might understand a villain’s reasons, but not Laura’s – she is truly wicked.

Knowing Everything Andy Went Through In Bring Her Back Makes His End Even More Tragic

Among the hard-hitting deaths in movies, Andy’s is particularly distressing for viewers. Throughout the film, he endures gaslighting and emotional abuse, yet he tirelessly strives to shield and safeguard his sister. He embodies one of the most genuine protagonists in horror flicks. I couldn’t help but feel heartbroken by his demise. And to make matters even more poignant, his voicemail message to Piper at the end only deepens the sorrow.

He aimed to protect her from the wickedness of the world. In the melancholic conclusion of Bring Her Back, though the villain is defeated, it’s not a triumph worth rejoicing. She continues to mourn her daughter and receives a muted farewell scene. Concurrently, we witness two children who have been deeply scarred by their experiences, left to navigate life on their own.

In this film, we get to listen to the final words of a cherished character, a boy whose childhood was marked by unimaginable hardship, denying him the chance to mature into an adult. The movie is deeply moving and poignantly sad.

I Wasn’t Just Scared By Bring Her Back, But Emotionally Riveted As Well

In a more conversational and readable style:

“One of the best movies about possession could be ‘Bring Her Back’, as it seems quite authentic. I’m guessing there are cults out there that perform similar activities, though I hope they don’t exist. The movie does an excellent job of portraying possessions realistically, which makes the story all the more chilling.

The movie prefers subtle, nerve-wracking suspense over loud jump scares, culminating in a handful of intense, haunting moments such as Oliver and the cantaloupe scene. Scenes like these may not be the most terrifying on the surface, but their emotional impact is what truly sends shivers down your spine.

So far, I’ve seen “Bring Her Back” twice, and it left a profound impact on me – an overwhelming feeling of sorrow and despair washed over me. The movie managed to change my mood significantly, making the world seem darker and more somber. I am particularly drawn to films that deeply touch my emotions, and this one certainly fits the bill. Without a doubt, “Bring Her Back” is one of the standout horror movies of 2025, a film I’ll keep pondering over for quite some time.

Buy or rent Bring Her Back on Amazon.

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2025-07-16 01:09

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