Bring Her Back proves even great horrors aren’t horrifying anymore

In the realm of horror cinema, the question of whether movies still have the ability to scare us is a complex one. While there has been a shift towards violence-based endurance cinema and cultural commentary via horror metaphor in recent years, the genre’s original goal of making us shudder at what goes bump in the night seems to be a challenging task.

One such film that attempts to tap into this traditional form of horror is Michael and Danny Philippou’s new A24 production, Bring Her Back. The follow-up to their viral smash Talk To Me, this visually stunning and cinematically stylish outing delves into the supernatural thriller genre. However, rather than pure horror, Bring Her Back may be better viewed as a blood-drenched drama.

The film follows blind teen Piper and her step-brother Andy shortly after the death of their father. As they navigate the unsettling environment of their foster home with foster mother Laura and her creepy son Oliver, a sense of foreboding quickly builds. The tension escalates as dark secrets and sinister intentions come to light, culminating in a climax that is as predictable as it is vaguely disappointing.

Despite its formulaic plot and somewhat underwhelming ending, Bring Her Back succeeds in creating an atmosphere of unease and discomfort. Through its use of gore and unsettling imagery, the film aims to provoke visceral reactions in its audience, even if true fear remains elusive in today’s desensitized world.

Overall, Bring Her Back may not be the most terrifying horror film of recent times, but it effectively taps into the unsettling nature of violation and betrayal. While it may not induce traditional fear, the film’s ability to make viewers squirm and feel uncomfortable is a testament to its effectiveness as a modern horror movie.

In a landscape where true fear is a rare commodity, filmmakers must adapt to new strategies to elicit emotional responses from audiences. By utilizing viral marketing and social media to promise unsettling experiences, horror movies can still draw in viewers and provoke reactions, even if the days of genuine fright are fading into the shadows.