Sally Hawkins talks with filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou about the deeply collaborative and freeing process of making their latest horror, Bring Her Back. A24‘s featurette offers an intimate glimpse into the unsettling collaboration between the trio, providing candid insights into crafting the film’s eerie atmosphere and Hawkins’s haunting performance.
In interviews, the Philippou brothers admit they were slightly intimidated by Hawkins: “We were terrified of Sally Hawkins on set”—not for her temperament, but because her embodiment of grief was so powerful it reshaped each scene. Hawkins reflects on how the psychological complexity of her character liberated her: “The commitment to the story is what it’s all about… it’s so exciting to be part of that kind of filmmaking.”
Reviews & Fan Reactions
Critics have lauded Bring Her Back for its emotional depth and visceral horror. The film holds a strong 89% critic approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 72/100 on Metacritic, with outlets like Mashable calling it an “extraordinary… deeply deranged tale of heartache and body horror.” San Francisco Chronicle praised its psychological intensity, while The Guardian noted the film’s “harrowing atmosphere” and potent performances from Hawkins and her young co-stars.
Fan reactions have been equally intense. On Reddit’s r/movies, users described the experience as “terrifying,” “traumatic,” and near impossible to watch—but many admitted they couldn’t look away. One viewer wrote the featurette “left me feeling uneasy… one of the best horrors” they’ve seen. CinemaBlend reported that audience members “had to turn away” during early screenings, confirming the film’s disturbing impact.
This featurette confirms Bring Her Back is more than just your typical shock-driven horror film—it’s a collaborative, emotionally intense piece of cinematic storytelling powered by Sally Hawkins’s fearless performance and the Philippou brothers’ evolving directorial vision. If you’re drawn to horror grounded in character tension and psychological nuance, this one demands attention.
