FILM REVIEWS SACHIN CHATTE
Film: Bring Her Back
Cast: Sally Hawkins, Billy Barratt, Sora Wong
Directed by: Danny and Michael Philippou
Duration: 1 hour 44 minutes
Rating: * * * *
Following the releases of Weapons and Together earlier this month, the series of top notch horror/thriller films persists. It is safe to say that Bring Her Back stands out as the most terrifying of them all, due to its staging and unfolding – complemented by an exceptional performance from the ever-dependable Sally Hawkins. You will find yourself reluctant to visit her home, even if she
extends an invitation.
Directed by the Australian twins, Danny and Michael Philippou, also known as RackaRacka, who transitioned from creating YouTube horror videos to producing feature films, similar to the notable Australian film The Babadook (2014), Bring Her Back tells the story of a grieving mother, illustrating how grief can lead individuals to engage in peculiar behaviours – both towards themselves and others.
The Philippou brothers’ debut feature, Talk To Me (2022), which revolves around an embalmed hand that forces people to act strangely, provided ample evidence of their affinity for horror, distinguishing it from the likes of Conjuring or Annabelle. This film delves into psychological horror, where individuals, tormented in their minds, engage in unsettling actions and that can genuinely disturb the viewers.
What sets these films apart from other horror offerings is the depth of the characters. They are human, they possess flaws, and with the infusion of supernatural elements, a completely new realm is unveiled.
The concept of Bring Her Back can also be likened to certain tales that predate the woods, this one is set in contemporary times – revolving around a malevolent mother who mistreats her children and holds them captive, with the term mistreatment being a rather mild description in this context.
It begins with visuals from a VHS tape depicting an ongoing cult ritual, featuring a woman speaking in Russian. We then transition to the brother-sister duo. After the unexpected passing of their father, 17-year-old Andy (Billy Barratt) and his younger half-sister Piper (Sora Wong) find themselves in a precarious situation. Piper is visually impaired, and the bond between the siblings is strong. However, Andy cannot assume the role of her guardian until he reaches the age of 18, which is around the corner. Until that time, they must stay with Laura (Sally Hawkins), a social worker and counselor. When they reach her secluded home, they discover that she is mourning the loss of her daughter Cathy, and there is another young boy present – Ollie (Jonah Wren Phillips), who is mute and exhibits strange behaviour and mannerisms. Laura develops a particular fondness for Piper, who is the same age as her daughter, while showing complete disregard for Andy and even engaging in psychological manipulation by gaslighting him.
Bring Her Back transitions seamlessly as all the characters spark intrigue – Ollie remains silent, yet his expressions clearly indicate that there is more beneath the surface. Piper finds herself powerless due to her vision impairment and becomes a target for manipulation. Andy is caught off guard by the unfolding events while Laura pursues her own agenda. The film succeeds not only because of the events that transpire but also due to the manner in which they unfold. The ‘what’ can be anticipated, but the ‘how’ is executed with finesse. The film lacks jump scares, it possesses certain creepy and unsettling elements as the
story progresses.
The cast, led by Sally Hawkins alongside relatively lesser-known actors, is exceptional. She immerses herself in her role with flair. This exploration of grief is a delight for horror enthusiasts.
Rinsed and repeat
Film: Nobody 2
Cast: Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen, Sharon Stone
Directed by: Timo Tjahjanto
Duration: 1 hour 31 minutes
Rating: * * 1 / 2
Similar to numerous Hollywood films, Nobody 2 was produced due to the success of Nobody (2021), which performed well at the box office. The concept was interesting – an unremarkable office worker is actually a skilled assassin and capable of taking on a horde of thugs and defeating them decisively. It was a light-hearted film filled with action.
The concept could have been further developed; however, Nobody 2 suffers from a feeling of déjà vu and some lackluster writing. There is a limit to how far the character could be pushed, and the film opts for the simplest resolution – leaving no sense of novelty.
Hutch, also known as Nobody (Bob Odenkirk), completes a task of retrieving a card for his employer but still faces significant debt. With his family life in disarray, he, along with his wife Becca (Connie Nielsen) and their teenage children, decides to spend quality time at Plummerville, one of the oldest amusement parks featuring carnival rides and a water park. As an absent father, Hutch feels compelled to be present for his family, yet the vacation does not unfold as anticipated.
Some of the rides are shut down, and tensions escalate when the son of the local sheriff becomes involved with Hutch’s children. The assassin attempts to maintain his composure but ultimately loses it – he had to, or else how would the action unfold? Conveniently, a major antagonist is involved in the theme park operations, known as Lendina (Sharon Stone), who is also a ruthless killer.
From action sequences on a boat to the climactic showdown at the amusement park, there are numerous fights (he even loses his pinky finger), and some of these are quite well choreographed. However, beyond the superficial motivations, there is little substance to justify the fights in the first place. Odenkirk, recognised for his role in Better Call Saul, is enjoyable to watch. He infuses a great deal into his character. But the rest of it
is fairly ordinary.
