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I Just Saw Bring Her Back For the First Time, And I Want To Talk About Its Disability Representation

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Proceeding with caution, as this article discloses significant plot points from the novel “Bring Her Back.

Bring Her Back” was one of the initial horror films that debuted this summer, and it certainly lived up to the early descriptions of being “disturbing.” The film’s depiction of Ollie’s demonic behavior is truly unforgettable and unsettling. However, upon watching the Philippou Brothers’ horror movie for the first time, I found myself compelled to discuss the representation of disability, specifically through the character of Piper who is visually impaired.

In an interview with FilmUpdates, Danny Philippou revealed that the idea for the film “Bring Her Back” sprang from their friend’s younger sister who is blind. Frustrated because her parents wouldn’t allow her to travel alone on a bus, she expressed her desire for self-reliance. This poignant aspect of the movie revolves around learning to let go, as the protagonist Piper explores the world according to her own preferences. In this way, “Bring Her Back” compellingly portrays the experiences of visually impaired individuals.

I Loved That Piper Wasn’t Just “The Blind Character”

Initially, it is revealed that the protagonist, Piper, during her teenage years, experiences visual impairment. What she perceives are merely shapes and light. The actress portraying Piper, Sora Wong, shares a similar condition, having been born with coloboma and microphthalmia. However, it’s crucial to note that Piper’s visual impairment was not used as a plot device in the story. Instead, she is just a typical teenager who, unlike her peers, doesn’t see as clearly with her eyes.

It became clear that Laura, Piper’s new guardian, had wished to employ Piper as a surrogate for her late daughter who was also blind. However, it’s important to note that Piper wasn’t defined by her visual impairment, instead she embodied the typical behaviors of a teenage girl – she played with her older brother Andy, engaged in goalball, and shared similar experiences as her brother when they both discovered their deceased father’s body. Piper’s resilience and inner strength were more prominent aspects of her character than her disability.

Piper Proved You Don’t Have To Be Sighted To Be Strong

2025’s movie release presents an innovative take on the usual narrative pattern of a character with a disability. Instead of portraying disability as a sign of weakness or a moment for inspiration, it simply exists as part of the character’s reality. In this film, Piper, who has limited sight, demonstrates her resilience by relying on her other senses. When Andy was experiencing a breakdown due to Ollie’s disturbing behavior, Piper was able to comfort him using her voice and touch. In that instance, the focus wasn’t on what she couldn’t see; it was about what she could perceive through her heightened senses.

Piper moved independently through Laura’s house, exploring by feeling walls, floors, and objects instead of being escorted everywhere. She opted against using a cane for mobility, preferring not to be treated as if she needed constant care. Instead, she trusted her intuition, recollections, and hearing to navigate unfamiliar spaces on her own. Piper’s disability was not an excuse, as she never expressed any limitations with the phrase “I can’t.

Piper Had Her Own Way Of “Seeing” The Truth

Despite having limited vision, Piper wasn’t simple to deceive. For example, she and Andy had a secret codeword, “Grapefruit,” which signified truth between them. In a world where people often exploit those with disabilities, hearing that word from her brother gave Piper the assurance that she could rely on him more than anyone else. Together, they created barriers to shield her emotionally.

Apart from relying on Laura’s verbal descriptions, Piper additionally trusted her tactile and auditory senses to identify inconsistencies. For example, when Laura described her son as having red, curly hair, Piper would verify this by touching the person who was mimicking Andy’s voice to confirm visually.

By feeling Ollie’s bald head instead of the red, curly locks Laura described for his hair, Piper came to understand that he wasn’t her brother and suspected her new foster mother might pose a danger.

Watching Piper Undo Every Stereotype I’ve Seen About Blind Characters In Horror Flicks

Many horror films featuring blind characters often don’t present them in a favorable manner. For instance, the film Wait Until Dark portrays Audrey Hepburn’s character, Suzy, as easily threatened due to her blindness. However, it was only during the climax that she utilized her other senses effectively to prevail. In contrast, Piper was determined from the outset not to be treated as helpless or incompetent. She consistently demonstrated an ability to handle herself well throughout the storyline.

In one of the most terrifying films from 2016, “Don’t Breathe,” the main adversary was a blind war veteran. This character’s blindness, however, did not conform to the common trope that those with disabilities are prone to violence. Instead, Piper, as she was called, was not portrayed as evil, and her disability did not transform her into a monster. She was simply a person, no different from the other characters in the film who could see. Furthermore, it is important to note that a disability does not necessarily make an individual more vulnerable to danger. In fact, strength can reside within someone who society often overlooks or underestimates.

Piper Didn’t Need To Be Saved

In the chilling aftermath of Laura’s heinous act against my beloved brother, I found myself in the same house with her. As the movie reached its thrilling climax, I refused to succumb to helplessness despite my disability. Instead, I relied on my agility and heightened senses to navigate my way to safety – it was a testament to my resilience and will to survive.

In the movie, when the villain was attempting to drown Piper in an attempt to revive her deceased daughter, Piper quickly called out for her mother instead, surprising Laura and providing her with enough time to flee through the shed before “Ollie” could catch her. Instead of waiting to be saved, she took matters into her own hands by waving down a passing vehicle.

The portrayal of disabilities in the movie ‘Bring Her Back’ serves as an excellent model for other films to follow. Despite her visual impairment, Piper’s character was not held back by her disability.

In every scene, Sora Wong’s character strove to be seen as equal and refused to appear helpless. This powerful depiction allows blind viewers to identify with the horror movie, portraying them with honor, strength, and endurance. The latest horror production by the Philippou Brothers is now available for rental on various digital streaming services.

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2025-07-27 14:08

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