Fresh off the massive success of their debut feature, Talk to Me, Danny and Michael Philippou are back with Bring Her Back, their highly anticipated follow-up film. Hosted by A24 at NeueHouse Hollywood, a recent preview event offered fans and film buffs a glimpse into what might be another game-changing horror masterpiece.
This article dives into what we know about Bring Her Back so far, analyzes the Philippou brothers’ inspirations, and explores why this film could be their most intense and personal project to date.
from viral stars to horror icons
Before Talk to Me became a sleeper hit, the Philippous were best known for their YouTube channel RackaRacka. Their videos—a carnivalesque mix of outrageous stunts, surreal humor, and visceral gore—helped earn them millions of subscribers. But in 2023, they demonstrated their ability to craft an emotionally resonant and terrifying film with Talk to Me. With over $91 million at the global box office, it became A24’s highest-grossing horror movie.
Their leap from YouTube to mainstream cinema might seem extraordinary, but their filmmaking foundation was always deep. Both brothers were inspired by childhood bouts of unsupervised creativity in Adelaide, crafting wild backyard wrestling videos that laid the groundwork for their distinctive style of chaos and intensity.
If Talk to Me revealed their cinematic potential, Bring Her Back looks set to consolidate it.
what is ‘Bring Her Back’ about?
While plot specifics are tightly under wraps, Bring Her Back has been described as leaning deeper into the psychological than its predecessor. The film follows a brother and sister as they witness a terrifying ritual at their new foster mother’s secluded home. Early footage shown at the A24 event offered gore-filled glimpses that reportedly left attendees gasping, with a scene involving bloody child endangerment forcing many to look away.
Unlike Talk to Me, which focused on possession and the intersection between the living and the dead, Bring Her Back takes on darker, deeply personal themes of grief and how far one would go to undo loss. As Danny Philippou explained, “Leaning into loss and how far you’d go to bring someone back—those deep questions that you wonder about—was a driving force behind this film.”
The inspiration was tragically real for the brothers. Danny and their co-writer Bill Hinzman began working on the script while grappling with the sudden death of their cousin’s young child. This raw emotional state seeped into the story, creating a narrative that, while horror-driven, aims to be profoundly affecting.
casting for depth and impact
Headlining Bring Her Back is the twice Oscar-nominated Sally Hawkins in her first proper horror film. Known for her range, from the whimsical Paddington to the delicate yet fierce The Shape of Water, Hawkins brings both emotional depth and star power to the project. Danny Philippou recalled being stunned when she eagerly agreed to the role, saying she was deeply moved by the script.
The cast also includes Billy Barratt, the youngest International Emmy winner for his role in Responsible Child, and newcomer Sora Wong, a vision-impaired actress whose casting adds authenticity to the story’s exploration of perception and reality. Jonah Wren Phillips rounds out the ensemble as an emotionally troubled foster son.
The brothers took a unique approach to working with the cast, often shooting scenes chronologically to allow authentic chemistry to build and rehearsing backstories that never appear on screen. “We wanted every line delivery to feel earned,” said Danny.
a shift toward emotional horror
The Philippou brothers have openly described Bring Her Back as both grimmer and more gruesome than Talk to Me. But it’s not just the gore that will unsettle audiences—it’s the emotional intensity. “We were in such a raw headspace when we wrote and shot this that scenes designed to scare often turned out deeply sad,” Michael explained.
Grief, particularly of the kind that lingers and gnaws away at its victims, seems to be the central theme of the film. The film’s trailer hints at chilling parallels between loss and the horrors of resurrection. “The idea of a never-ending grief cycle terrifies me,” Danny remarked, emphasizing that the film is more about emotional terror than jump scares.
what sets ‘Bring Her Back’ apart
While horror has long explored grief as a theme (think Hereditary or The Babadook), the Philippous’ rawness and willingness to incorporate deeply personal experiences make this project unique. Their energetic, chaotic directing style—honed through years of jaw-dropping YouTube work—is now being tempered with thoughtfulness and emotional precision.
The brothers teased that Bring Her Back will share some DNA with Talk to Me in terms of its meditations on possession and the supernatural. Still, fans shouldn’t expect a retread. “It’s got the same genetic tissue,” Danny noted, “but it’s a lot smaller, a lot more contained, and, I think, a lot more personal.”
Perhaps what will truly set the film apart is the Philippous’ unique lens on horror. They combine gonzo, almost cartoonish creativity with genuinely affecting emotional beats, resulting in films that shock and resonate in equal measure.
release date and what’s next for the philippous
A24 has slated Bring Her Back for a theatrical release on May 30, 2025. Anticipation is already high, not just because of the Philippous’ growing reputation, but because early clips suggest the film could surpass already sky-high expectations.
And for fans wondering about a Talk to Me sequel, rest assured the Philippous are thinking ahead. Scripts exist, and though Michael Philippou has other projects lined up, including a documentary on death-match wrestling, bringing more of their supernatural universe to life is firmly on the brothers’ radar. But as Danny joked in an interview, “Maybe we’ll get to Talk to Me 2 when we’re 50.”
why ‘Bring Her Back’ could redefine modern horror
Horror thrives on reinvention, and the Philippou brothers are undoubtedly among the genre’s boldest new voices. With Talk to Me, they offered a fresh perspective on possession and resilience. Now, with Bring Her Back, they’re taking a swing at grief and its horrifying consequences.
For horror enthusiasts, indie film buffs, and A24 loyalists, Bring Her Back could be a defining moment—a film that chills to the bone while tugging at the heartstrings. If early footage and the Philippous’ passion are anything to go by, this isn’t just a movie; it’s an experience.
Circle May 30 on your calendars, horror fans. You won’t want to miss this one.
