INTERVIEW: Danny & Michael Philippou On ‘Bring Her Back’

After a successful 2023 debut with Talk to Me, the Philippou brothers are back, diving into the supernatural world while simultaneously conjuring up fears and stirring emotions in their new Aussie film, Bring Her Back.

Director and writer Danny Philippou describes the overall feeling of the film in three words: “Harrowing, traumatic, and touching.”

Beside him, co-director Michael Philippou jokes with Supanova with his choice of words: “Not gnarly enough.”

After the loss of their father, Andy (Billy Barratt) and his sister, Piper (Sora Wong), who is visually-impaired, are taken in by their new foster mother, Laura (Sally Hawkins), who is caring for a troubled orphan named Oliver (Jonah Wren Phillips). It is during their stay that the siblings uncover a terrifying ritual taking place in the secluded home.

Sally Hawkins on the set of A24’s BRING HER BACK

The main cast of Bring Her Back is a varied group of talents, ranging from Hollywood stars to first-timers, who all brought their A-game to their roles. Hawkins is a veteran in the film industry. Barratt is the youngest winner of an International Emmy Award and stars alongside Wong (who is visually-impaired) in her first feature film. Lastly, there’s Wren Phillips, who’s just beginning to make waves in the industry. A main cast with different acting experience was a challenge that the Philippou brothers took on with ease.

“I think every actor needs something different,” Michael says. “They respond to different things. So, it’s kind of figuring out, no matter what the experience level is, what that person needs and the best way to accommodate for it.

“It was a little bit different with each person, but I guess it’s trying to cater to those needs specifically and then trying to make it work with everyone. But Sally’s so experienced that she was able to help the kids as well.”

Danny adds, “And literally anything anyone needed to do to get into character, they could do. I was like to Sally, ‘If you need to punch me in the face for every take to get you there, then you’re more than welcome to do that.’”

After collecting numerous awards for Talk to Me, Danny and Michael did not ease up on the gore level in Bring Her Back. If anything, it is amplified visually with memorable shots, but also audibly in their soundscape of gory scenes, which prompts viewers to turn their heads away, yet still feel the intensity of that moment.

“The gore stuff is always the most fun to film, everyone on set is having a blast,” Michael explains. “It’s hard [filming] with some of the emotionally difficult scenes, those ones are tough to shoot.”

“We love a bit of gore! It’s always fun to shoot for the gore,” Danny sums it up as Michael agrees with a laugh, reminding Supanova, “or a lot of gore in this case.”

Despite the gore levels of Bring Her Back, it is worth noting that this film has an emotionally driven plot with layers poignantly dealing with its core subject of grief.

The brothers believe the film’s genre allows them to embrace the subject.

“It’s always the funnest way to talk about really dark themes and anything that’s bothering you,” Danny says. “It’s a way to exorcise that, and get it off your shoulders. It’s a genre that allows for you to go hard on these really scary subjects.”

Michael wraps by saying: “We wanted it to be a different kind of energy to Talk to Me with more of a focus on character. And so, it is. I guess you could say it’s more grim, but it’s also more heartfelt. It’s more emotional.

“So, connecting with the characters, even when you don’t agree with what they’re doing, that’s something that was important for us to try and tackle.”

‘Bring Her Back’ is in cinemas now

LEAD IMAGE: Directors Danny and Michael Philippou on the set of A24’s BRING HER BACK.