After helming one of the biggest box office hits out of the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, “Talk to Me” co-directors Danny and Michael Philippou are back with another Aussie-set horror film, “Bring Her Back.” And this time, they’re getting a boost from Oscar winner Sally Hawkins.
“Bring Her Back,” which was announced in 2024, stars Hawkins as a foster mother who undergoes a “terrifying ritual” in front of her two foster children. Billy Barratt and Sora Wong play the siblings who may or may not be sacrificed…or possessed. Jonah Wren Phillips, Sally-Anne Upton, Stephen Phillips, and Mischa Heywood also star.
The official logline reads: “A brother and sister uncover a terrifying ritual at the secluded home of their new foster mother.”
The Philippou brothers co-direct the film, which was co-written by Danny Philippou and Bill Hinzman. The feature is produced by Causeway Films’ Samantha Jennings and Kristina Ceyton (“The Babadook”).
Adelaide-born twin filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou got their start making stunt and horror-based comedy and action shorts for their YouTube channel, RackaRacka. They amassed over 1.5 billion views with more than 6.5 million subscribers across their social media channels before making their feature debut with “Talk to Me,” which A24 acquired out of Sundance. The film went on to gross $92 million worldwide on a budget of just $4.5 million, and won a slew of Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts awards, including best picture, best director, and best actress.
A24 has already ordered a sequel to “Talk to Me,” aptly titled “Talk 2 Me.” The studio also is behind “Bring Her Back.”
The Philippou brothers previously told The Hollywood Reporter that a prequel to “Talk to Me” could be released; the duo shot the prequel storyline in conjunction with the first film, with the plot centered on character Duckett (Sunny Johnson) who was featured in the cold opening of “Talk to Me.” The prequel, like “Bring Her Back,” includes found footage with scenes being shot through phone videos and social media.
In addition to the “Talk to Me” franchise, the Philippou brothers are also slated to direct a new adaptation of Capcom video game “Street Fighter,” which is being developed by Legendary Entertainment.
“Bring Her Back” premieres in theaters May 30. Check out the teaser below.
