Movies

Which A24 Horror Movie Is Truly More Frightening and Memorable?

BBG News

WARNING: This article contains SPOILERS for Bring Her Back.

Filmmakers Danny and Michael Philipou have come up with an equally chilling and impactful sequel to their 2023 horror flick, “Talk to Me,” entitled “Bring Her Back“. Produced by A24 as well, this new production focuses on a pair of orphans who find themselves under the guardianship of a woman dabbling in dark arts, trying to resurrect her deceased child.

There are numerous points of resemblance between “Talk to Me” and the 2025 release “Bring Her Back”. Both films belong to the genre of shocking and gory supernatural horror, delving into similar topics like ghosts and spiritual possession. In “Talk to Me”, an embalmed hand enables communication with spirits and body possession, while “Bring Her Back” offers its unique take on these concepts. Notably, both films have secured the Certified Fresh status on Rotten Tomatoes, boasting a 90% approval rating from critics. Despite their shared excellence and spine-chilling qualities by the Philippous, one stands out as being superior in terms of scares, acting, themes, and originality.

Bring Her Back vs. Talk To Me: Which One Is Scarier?

Talk To Me Features More Varied And Intense Scares

The movie titled “Bring Her Back” is more of a gradual unfolding of horror compared to “Talk to Me“. It generates fear by creating an uneasy ambiance and escalating tension through bizarre incidents and gory visuals. Notably, many of the film’s most chilling moments rely heavily on unsettling VHS footage and the character of Oliver, who exhibits strange behaviors, undergoes demonic transformations, and displays a voracious appetite for human flesh, even his own.

The movie “Talk to Me” swiftly delves into chilling scenes, as the initial sequence presents a teen possessed by evil, inexplicably injuring his brother with a knife and self-inflicting a head wound. Remarkably, the film skillfully generates an overwhelming sense of dread and unease without relying on typical jump scares. However, when “Talk to Me” does employ sudden shocks, it does so in an extreme manner, terrorizing viewers with its graphic, gruesome, and deeply disturbing imagery. The possessed character Riley serves as a striking illustration of this, abruptly harming himself, mutilating his own body, and even seeming to enjoy the pain, making the horror portrayed in “Talk to Me” particularly intense and haunting.

Bring Her Back vs. Talk To Me: Which Better Explores Grief?

Bring Her Back Shows A More Developed Depiction Of Grief

As a cinephile, I’d say both “Talk to Me” and “Bring Her Back” delve deeply into the raw emotion of grief. In these films, characters grapple with their loss in different ways, some even resorting to extreme measures to escape the anguish. In the case of “Talk to Me,” Mia finds solace in allowing spirits to take over her being, a coping mechanism born from her mother’s passing. She uses an embalmed hand to communicate with what she believes is her mother’s ghost, highlighting the complex relationship between grief and addiction. However, it’s worth noting that unlike Mia, I can only imagine the struggle of trying to reverse such a devastating event as my mother’s death.

In this captivating narrative, I found myself deeply moved as Laura embarks on a haunting journey through the intricate labyrinth of grief, particularly focusing on the intense stage of bargaining. Unlike other stories, Laura’s bargain isn’t merely a plea for second chances; it’s a Faustian pact, a desperate attempt to resurrect her daughter by performing a sinister ritual. After taking the life of Piper, she enlists the help of the possessed “Oliver,” turning him into a demonic intermediary. However, unlike Mia, Laura ultimately accepts the irreversible reality of her daughter’s demise at the film’s conclusion. She abandons the ritual and chooses not to claim Piper’s life, shocked by the devastation her actions were causing.

Bring Her Back vs. Talk To Me: Which Has Better Performances?

Talk To Me Shows A Lot More Range With Its Cast

In my perspective as a film critic, I must commend Sally Hawkins for her remarkable portrayal of Laura in Bring Her Back, effortlessly transitioning between her loving, quirky, mourning, and cunning aspects throughout the motion picture. Billy Barratt and Sora Wong equally impress with their nuanced and authentic performances as siblings Andy and Piper, while young Jonah Wren Phillips sends a shiver down the spine with his eerily chilling portrayal of the silent yet bloodthirsty Oliver – a child character in horror cinema history that will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark.

The ensemble of Talk to Me, primarily made up of young actors, demonstrates a wide array of acting abilities. Many of them play multiple roles since their characters are taken over by spirits called forth by the mummified hand. For example, unlike the largely quiet and reserved character of Phillips, Joe Bird showcases a broader spectrum as Riley in Talk to Me, making his transformation particularly chilling. Similarly, Sophie Wilde mirrors Hawkins’ performance as the troubled yet compassionate lead, Mia, while also embodying numerous other frightening characters that possess her.

Bring Her Back vs. Talk To Me: Which Story Is More Original

Talk To Me Uses Possession To Tell A Clever, Unusual Tale With Relevant Themes

In Talk to Me, I find a fresh take on timeless horror tales like The Exorcist. It ingeniously uses possession as a thought-provoking symbol for the modern-day addiction, encompassing smartphones, social media, and substance abuse. Characters who willingly broadcast themselves being taken over by spirits mirrors young adults’ willingness to go to extremes for digital validation and getting high.

This intriguing premise also highlights the dangerous consequences of such reckless behavior. Some characters, overusing the embalmed hand, lose control, hurt themselves, and endanger others – a stark reminder of how our actions can have life-threatening repercussions in today’s digital age.

In a different perspective, the narrative of Bring Her Back doesn’t offer much novelty when it comes to the horror genre, particularly within the possession subgenre. The film’s uniqueness primarily lies in its presentation, with the manner in which bodily possession and spirit transfers are portrayed in the story setting it apart. However, viewers have encountered similar themes such as shadowy cults and families manipulating bodies to house spirits in numerous horror movies, including Ari Aster’s Hereditary produced by A24.

Talk To Me Is Better Than Bring Her Back

Talk To Me Outranks Bring Her Back With Its Scares, Cast, And Unique Story

Ultimately, the first two horror films by Philippous, namely “Talk to Me” and “Bring Her Back,” are intense, heart-rending productions that leave a lasting impact. However, “Bring Her Back” offers a more profound examination of grief, as portrayed through Laura’s character development and Hawkins’ convincing portrayal. Yet, “Talk to Me” surpasses “Bring Her Back” by demonstrating greater range in its acting ensemble and the horrors it presents. The film starts off strong with several impactful, visceral scenes that resonate deeply with viewers.

Two years since its release, “Talk to Me” continues to be a unique type of possession film within A24’s horror movie catalog, setting itself apart as something that might become more enduring than “Bring Her Back.” This is due to the creative exploration of its premise to address various contemporary concerns and generate numerous shocking and lasting scares.

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2025-06-03 19:58

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