The horror world is buzzing with excitement over Bring Her Back, the latest nightmare fuel from Australian directors Danny and Michael Philippou. Following their breakout hit Talk to Me, the Philippou brothers have teamed up with A24 once again for a chilling new tale that’s already earning raves. With its Rotten Tomatoes score dropping jaws, here’s why Bring Her Back is shaping up to be one of 2025’s must-see horror films.
A Near-Perfect Tomatometer Triumph
As of May 17, 2025, Bring Her Back is sitting pretty at a jaw-dropping 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 27 critic reviews. That’s a hair above Talk to Me’s already-impressive 94%, cementing the Philippous as horror heavyweights. The film’s premise—a brother and sister uncovering a horrifying ritual at their foster mother’s remote home—has struck a chord with critics, who praise its gut-punch intensity and emotional depth. Starring two-time Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins as the grieving yet eerie Laura, the movie blends raw terror with heartbreaking nuance.
Critics are showering it with love. Meagan Navarro of Bloody Disgusting hails it as the “feel bad horror movie of the year,” noting its soul-shattering dread. Variety’s Owen Gleiberman calls it a “lavish sensation of malevolent shock,” while Slant Magazine’s Rocco T. Thompson says it burns with a “white-hot nerve of pain.” Collider’s Ross Bonaime goes all-in, declaring it one of 2025’s best horror offerings, and Mashable’s Kristy Puchko warns it might out-scare Talk to Me. With a Metacritic score of 72/100 from 14 reviews, the film’s “generally favorable” status backs up the hype.
A24’s Horror Hot Streak Continues
That 96% Tomatometer score puts Bring Her Back in elite company, rivaling A24 horror gems like Hereditary (90%) and Midsommar (83%). The studio’s knack for backing bold, auteur-driven projects shines through here, with the Philippous delivering a story that’s as emotionally devastating as it is terrifying. Social media is ablaze with fans on X hyping the score, some calling it a “masterpiece” and others scrambling to snag tickets for its U.S. release on May 30, 2025, or its UK debut on August 1.
Of course, not every review is a total love letter. A few critics point out familiar horror tropes, and with only 27 reviews so far, the score could shift as more roll in. There’s no audience score yet—Rotten Tomatoes needs more fan votes to tally that—but early buzz suggests moviegoers will eat this up. Posts on X show horror buffs adding it to their watchlists, with some already predicting it’ll dominate summer box offices.
Why Bring Her Back Hits So Hard
The Philippou brothers have a knack for blending visceral scares with real human pain, and Bring Her Back leans into that strength. Hawkins’ performance as Laura is earning Oscar buzz, with critics praising her ability to be both sympathetic and unsettling. The film’s exploration of grief, paired with its relentless horror, makes it a standout in a genre often crowded with jump-scare retreads. Think The Babadook meets The Witch, but with Philippous’ signature chaotic energy.
For fans of Talk to Me, this is the natural next step—a darker, bolder swing that proves the directors aren’t resting on their laurels. A24’s track record only sweetens the deal, promising a theatrical experience that’ll leave audiences rattled. Whether you’re a diehard horror hound or just love a good story, Bring Her Back is poised to deliver chills and thrills in equal measure.
What’s Next for the Philippous?
With Bring Her Back already generating blockbuster buzz, the Philippou brothers are solidifying their status as horror’s new visionaries. Their ability to craft stories that scare and resonate has critics and fans alike watching their every move. As the film gears up for its big release, all eyes are on whether it can maintain that near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score and win over audiences the way Talk to Me did.
For now, horror fans have plenty to chew on. Will Bring Her Back live up to the hype? Can it outshine its A24 predecessors? Grab your popcorn and brace yourself—this one’s going to hit like a freight train.