Meg Imperio

Bring Her Back is unrelenting and gruesome, but not in a fun way. While technically excellent in its production design and cinematography, the story didn't always strike the emotional beats it needed to ground the horrific events and visuals. Laura felt like a character driven not by grief but malice. She didn't come across as a mother in extreme mourning, but like a woman who just enjoyed the suffering of children, using 'grief' as impetus and excuse. Her change of heart in the last few minutes felt like a cop out--making me yell out loud, "No, bitch! Commit!" because it felt so out of character to suddenly go oop--my bad, forgot I was a mum. But maybe that's the point. Maybe it's less about motivations--be it trauma, loss, or tragedy--but that in the face of such, lies the capacity to lose ourselves and become monsters. And how difficult that is to witness. There were scenes where I wished I was Piper so I didn't have to see the fucked up shit (see: child torture) and gore that was maybe a little too gratuitous. It's not an easy watch, but then I don't think it's meant to be. Worth the watch? If you're a seasoned horror fan Rewatchable? Hell nah Overall vibes: - Feel gross film, makeup and effects did their jobs a little too well - Excellent technical execution and acting but not so emotionally compelling - The horror is horrible people > supernatural - Will elicit very visceral reactions, watch with others