Horror fans in the UK have had to endure a long wait for Bring Her Back, the follow-up from Talk to Me duo Danny and Michael Philippou.
It's been nearly three months since the rave first reactions to the movie landed, and two months since it's come out in the US, also to critical acclaim calling it "just as frightening" as their debut movie.
With that kind of praise, there's a chance that the movie would never be able to live up to the hype, especially when it's been built up for so long.
But fear not as Bring Her Back is every bit as good, as horrifying, as unforgettable as you've heard.
If you thought that Riley's head slamming in Talk to Me was tough to watch, then prepare yourself for Bring Her Back. No spoilers, but you'll never look at a melon the same way ever again.
Bring Her Back again sees the Philippou brothers tackle grief through a horror lens, but where Talk to Me was a fairly relentless teen possession horror, their follow-up is a more of a mature slow-burn that seeps into you and doesn't let you escape.
What to Read Next
It's also more contained than Talk to Me, largely taking place in one location and focused on step-siblings Andy (Billy Barratt) and Piper (Sora Wong) and their new foster mum Laura (Sally Hawkins). Laura already fosters a mute boy, Oliver (Jonah Wren Phillips), and it's clear from the off that something is not right in her home.
We won't go into the specifics of what Laura is exactly doing, but it'll be fairly obvious early on given the title of the movie. That doesn't spoil the build-up to Bring Her Back's gut-wrenching final act though, with the movie building in intensity as it delivers some truly shocking moments that will have hardened horror fans squirming.
Sally Hawkins might not seem like the immediate first choice as a horror lead, but it proves an inspired choice as she delivers a sensational performance. What's remarkable is that as terrifying as she is, Hawkins also injects Laura with pathos so that you'll also be genuinely moved. It's one of the best performances of the year.
What you might also find remarkable is that she's often matched by the trio of young performers. Invasion star Billy Barratt and newcomer Sora Wong have a genuine chemistry as step-siblings Andy and Piper, as well as grounding the terror of Bring Her Back when things get increasingly messed-up.
It's fellow newcomer Jonah Wren Phillips who you'll remember afterwards though, possibly in your nightmares. The movie's nastiest moments revolve around Oliver and Phillips fully commits to whatever the Philippous throw at him, including that melon moment we mentioned earlier.
Bring Her Back confirms the Philippou brothers as one of the brightest (and also darkest) talents working in horror today. It walks on familiar ground to their break-out debut, but also showcases their growing confidence in pushing the audience to their limits.
You might not want to experience Bring Her Back again after what it puts you through, but you'll never be able to forget it.
Bring Her Back is out now in UK cinemas.
Digital Spy's new print issue is here! Buy Oasis - Live in '25 in newsagents or online, now priced at just £8.99.
Movies Editor, Digital Spy Ian has more than 10 years of movies journalism experience as a writer and editor. Starting out as an intern at trade bible Screen International, he was promoted to report and analyse UK box-office results, as well as carving his own niche with horror movies, attending genre festivals around the world. After moving to Digital Spy, initially as a TV writer, he was nominated for New Digital Talent of the Year at the PPA Digital Awards. He became Movies Editor in 2019, in which role he has interviewed 100s of stars, including Chris Hemsworth, Florence Pugh, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba and Olivia Colman, become a human encyclopedia for Marvel and appeared as an expert guest on BBC News and on-stage at MCM Comic-Con. Where he can, he continues to push his horror agenda – whether his editor likes it or not.
