Bring Her Back, a 2025 supernatural horror film by Danny and Michael Philippou, follows their 2023 hit Talk to Me. Released on May 29, 2025, in Australia by Sony Pictures and May 30 in North America by A24, it explores grief through a chilling occult ritual. The story centers on step-siblings Andy and Piper, who, after their father’s sudden death, enter foster care under Laura, a grieving mother with sinister plans.
The film, Bring Her Back, set in Adelaide, Australia, follows Piper, a visually impaired teen, and her protective brother Andy. They discover Laura’s attempt to resurrect her daughter Cathy using a Russian ritual from a VHS tape. The movie grossed $12 million globally by June 2025, per Box Office Mojo.
Filming occurred in South Australia, wrapping in April 2024. The Philippou brothers, known as RackaRacka, dedicate the film to their late friend Harley Wallace. With intense visuals by Aaron McLisky and a haunting score by Cornel Wilczek, Bring Her Back delivers raw terror and emotional depth.
This article contains spoilers from the movie Bring Her Back; reader discretion is advised.
Laura’s Ritual Fails, Leaving Piper and Ollie to Face a Tragic Aftermath
Bring Her Back centers on Laura’s attempt to resurrect her daughter Cathy, who drowned in a pool. The Russian ritual, shown on a VHS tape, requires a possessed host, Ollie, to consume Cathy’s corpse and transfer her soul into Piper, killed the same way.
Laura, played by Sally Hawkins, manipulates foster children Andy (Billy Barratt) and Piper (Sora Wong) to execute this plan. Filming took place in Adelaide. The ritual’s failure leaves Laura defeated, clutching Cathy’s remains.
Ollie, revealed as kidnapped boy Connor Bird, escapes possession. Piper survives but loses Andy. The film, produced by Causeway Films, connects to Talk to Me’s universe, with the embalmed hand appearing on Laura’s VHS shelf. A24 plans a streaming release later in 2025.
Piper Escapes Laura’s Deadly Ritual by Calling Her “Mom”
Piper, played by Sora Wong, survives Laura’s attempt to drown her in the backyard pool, mimicking Cathy’s death. In the climax, Laura drags Piper to the pool after Ollie, possessed by a demon named Tari, consumes Cathy’s frozen corpse.
Piper, realizing Andy is dead after finding his body, fights back. She yells “Mom,” recalling Laura’s longing to hear Cathy say it again. This jars Laura, who hesitates, allowing Piper to escape. Piper flags down her goalball coach, who alerts the police.
Her final scene shows her watching a plane, echoing Andy’s metaphor about souls traveling to the afterlife, per USA Today. Piper likely enters a new foster home, though her trauma persists. The moment underscores Laura’s conflicted grief, as she sees Piper as a surrogate daughter but cannot complete the ritual.
Andy Dies Protecting Piper from Laura’s Scheme
Andy, portrayed by Billy Barratt, dies at Laura’s hands while trying to save Piper. After discovering their father Phil’s body in the shower, Andy, 17, fights to stay with Piper, who relies on him due to her partial blindness. Laura manipulates Andy, framing him for attacking Piper by punching her and using his cologne.
Andy uncovers Ollie’s true identity as Connor Bird via a missing person’s poster and alerts social worker Wendy. At Laura’s house, Wendy notices Laura’s bleeding arm from Ollie’s bite. Laura, panicking, runs over Wendy and Andy with her car, killing Wendy instantly, and drowns Andy in a puddle.
Andy’s death shifts the story to Piper, highlighting his protective role and the Philippous’ intent to make her the protagonist. His past, including abusing Piper as a child out of jealousy, adds depth.
Ollie Survives as Connor Bird, Free from Demonic Possession
Ollie, revealed as kidnapped boy Connor Bird, survives the failed ritual. Played by Jonah Wren Phillips, he is possessed by Tari, a demon summoned by Laura. Confined by a white chalk circle around Laura’s property, Ollie exhibits violent hunger, eating objects like knives and Cathy’s corpse.
When Andy tries to take him across the circle, Ollie convulses, showing the demon’s control. After Piper escapes, Ollie crosses the circle, freeing him from possession. He tells police his real name. The ritual, requiring Ollie to regurgitate Cathy’s remains into Piper’s body, fails, leaving him scarred but alive. His recovery begins, though lasting trauma. Laura’s kidnapping of Connor, chosen for his vulnerability, highlights her desperation.
Laura’s Grief Ends in Arrest, Clinging to Cathy’s Corpse
Laura, portrayed by Sally Hawkins, fails to resurrect Cathy and faces arrest. Driven by grief over Cathy’s drowning, Laura keeps her corpse in a freezer. The Russian ritual, learned from a VHS tape, involves Ollie consuming Cathy’s body to transfer her soul into Piper, drowned identically.
Laura’s manipulation—drugging Andy, framing him, and favoring Piper—stems from her counselor background, giving her access to their files. After killing Andy and Wendy, she nearly drowns Piper but stops when Piper calls her “Mom”.
Police find Laura in the pool, cradling Cathy’s half-eaten corpse. Her arrest suggests a future in prison or a mental institution, given her mental state. The film’s dedication to Harley Wallace reflects the Philippous’ grief.
You might like: Materialists Ending Explained: Why Does Lucy Choose Herself Over Nathan and Todd?
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
Arvind is a Senior Writer and Editor at Hilvaro, specializing in anime, entertainment, and pop culture. With a BSc in Transportation Technology, his passion for storytelling led him to a career in journalism. He has previously contributed to Sportskeeda and GameRant, covering anime and entertainment with a keen eye for detail.
Outside writing, Arvind loves gaming and is fond of anime, binge-watching movies and television series. He spends some of his free time listening to rock music and writing poetry. What Arvind appreciates most about pop culture is the theme that makes it more alive and engaging for this generation; thus the possibility of such content reaching readers across the globe.
Discover more from Hilvaro
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
