From the twisted minds that brought you Talk to Me, sibling directors Danny and Michael Philippou return with a different breed of horror—one that cuts deep, lingers longer, and takes its time to creep under your skin. Bring Her Back opens in Philippine cinemas this July 16, delivering a slow-burn shocker where trust fractures and secrets bleed through the walls.

It’s Not Just a Haunted House — It’s a Haunted Family

At the center of this unsettling tale is Laura (played by the always-remarkable Sally Hawkins), a foster mother with something to hide. When siblings Andy (Billy Barratt) and Piper (Sora Wong), a low-vision girl, move into her remote home, what starts as a cautious new beginning spirals into a ritualistic nightmare.

“Talk to Me feels like a party horror film, but this film is more character-driven,” Danny says. “We liked the challenge of a contained story about these three characters, focusing on their relationships.”

Sally Hawkins Delivers a Raw, Riveting Performance

Known for her emotionally layered roles, Hawkins brings quiet intensity to Laura—a woman torn between protection and destruction.

“It’s a delicate piece and dealing with delicate subject matter, albeit in a rather terrifying frame or mask. I felt completely supported and trusted and given the space needed to do what I felt I needed to do,” Hawkins says.

Sora Wong: A Trailblazing Talent in Horror

The filmmakers sought authenticity for the role of Piper—and they found brilliance in Sora Wong, a 12-year-old vision-impaired actress who delivered a performance well beyond her years.

“We did this exercise with her, and she played the scene, and she did this improv, and it was incredible,” Michael says. “She just put herself in the mindset of the character. It was, in a way, not even acting. It was just putting herself in it — she’s amazing.”

Wong herself felt a strong connection to the role:

“I loved the character and I connected with her,” Wong says. “A lot of her behavior and thought process I just relate to and it kind of just clicked. There aren’t many characters with visual impairments, and especially not ones that would be the main character in a movie. So, it was a really important and meaningful role and I wanted to portray it right.”

Billy Barratt: The Big Brother with a Burden

Returning to the Philippous’ radar after his Emmy-winning role in Responsible Child, Billy Barratt captures Andy’s complex emotional journey with quiet strength and raw vulnerability.

“We wanted to cast Billy in Talk to Me,” Danny notes, but they were thrilled to have another chance with him on this film. “He’s a flourishing talent, someone who is game to go places and push himself.”

Barratt praises the on-screen bond with Wong:

“There were scenes where emotion was hard to conjure, because there was just so much going on or maybe the scene just didn’t click yet,” Barratt says. “But I think we had a particular trust in each other.

Horror With a Heart — and a Hidden Past

What makes Bring Her Back truly unnerving is its emotional core. This isn’t just a scare-fest—it’s a story about broken people, blind trust, and the terrifying lengths we’ll go to for connection.

Watch The Trailer Now:

Bring Her Back opens July 16 in Philippine cinemas, rated R-16 without cuts. Distributed by Columbia Pictures, the local arm of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Check showtimes and buy your tickets here.

_{Photo & Video Credit: “Columbia Pictures”}