Horror movies had a memorable 2025. Aside from the predictable sequels, this year has been an adventure exploring different horror subgenres and atmospheres. Titles like annoying SinnersBrilliant Strangenessgothic tale The ugly sisterthe mysterious Weaponsannoying clouds By Kiyoshi Kurosawa The Gloomy The long walk You showed it Fear, when handled with intelligence and authorial vision, remains one of the most powerful narrative tools.. We’ve seen psychological horror, social criticism wrapped in supernatural phenomena, and physical horror taken to unexpected extremes.
In this outstanding panorama, the bar for any new addition to the genre is very high. but, The title that recently arrived on streaming has managed to capture the attention of industry critics and, more importantly, leave audiences in a state of discomfort.. A film with a duration of only 85 minutes, reaffirms the talent of the creators in building an unparalleled cinematic experience.I see visual artwork as a direct attack on the nerves.
We’re talking about the new gem from A24, which after an acclaimed festival run, has just arrived on HBO Max to confront fans of the genre with a story that dares to go further. The Rotten Tomatoes review says so: “It is a heartbreaking film that could destroy even the bravest horror fan, reiterating that the Filippo brothers are here to kill.”. Without further ado, prepare to be plunged into the darkness that surrounds… Return it.
Return it It’s confirmation of the horror film masterminds Danny and Michael Filippo, the Australian duo behind the viral “Talk to Me” phenomenon. If in their acclaimed debut they confronted us with teenage grief through a dangerous game with the afterlife, this time they raise the stakes by taking the horror to an intimate and visceral level: Motherhood and guilt.
The plot follows A woman, after a tragic car accident with her daughter, begins to believe that a strange paranormal phenomenon, or perhaps a trauma-induced hallucination, has brought her young daughter back.. What quickly starts out as a ghost story It turns into an exercise in physical horror and psychological horror It explores the mental disintegration and horror of failing the person you love most. The film delves into the territory of the grotesque and the sentimental simultaneously, forcing the viewer to question the line between madness and the supernatural in a claustrophobic environment.
The Filippo brothers are not interested in easy scares. His cinema is a deep dive into psychological wounds that manifest in physical and brutal ways. In Bring It Back, they use the subgenre of possession and the return of the dead, not to tell another story about exorcism, but To x-ray post-traumatic stress anxiety and fear of inadequacy as a mother.
Bring It Back (2025) dir. Danny Filippo, Michael Filippo pic.twitter.com/og1qfgTOYo
– Screenshots (@screencaps) November 21, 2025
The film becomes a metaphor for the weight a mother carries on her shoulders, and it shows How unconditional love can turn into self-destructive obsession. Horror here is the external manifestation of internal pain. The creature or phenomenon that emerges is, in essence, guilt incarnate that consumes the protagonist, making this work a dark and brutal commentary on the human psyche.
Once again produced by Studio A24, synonymous with artistically visionary horror films (from Hereditary to The Witch), Bring Her Back maintains the company’s signature high production value. The Filippo brothers demonstrate their mastery of cinematic language, using a cold color palette and oppressive lighting that emphasize the claustrophobic atmosphere. The film is a triumph of audio-visual tension, with practical effects that enhance the feeling of body horror without resorting to excessive CGI..
In the cast, the weight of the narrative falls on the shoulders of the protagonist, played by Sally Hawkins. She is known for her work in intense dramas and distinctive roles such as The Shape of Water, Hawkins gives one of the year’s most heartbreaking performances as the guilt-ridden mother. His performance manages to convey the desperation and confusion of someone on the verge of a mental breakdown. She is accompanied by Barry Keoghan, who plays the husband in a key supporting role, enhancing the sense of isolation and domestic horror.. It is the contrast between the directors’ vision and the presentation of these established talents that enhances the film’s power.
If you are someone who is not afraid of confrontation Films that challenge morals and crush the stomachThis is your essential date. Not only does Bring Her Back deliver on its promise to be one of the best horror films of 2025, it sets a new standard for how scary stories can be told with emotional depth.. It’s a short, intense film that’s perfectly calibrated to leave an indelible mark. It is shown on HBO Max, and its duration is 85 minutes. It’s the perfect dose of angst and terror for this weekend.
Will your courage be able to withstand this nightmare?