This is one of those psychological rides that takes a new approach with layers of uncertainty below the core. With terror that shocks and surprises, it has treacherous backstory behind it. The sense of authenticity sparks incredibly, as Bring Her Back justifies itself to being one that will truly creep out its audiences and inevitably horrify them. It is not only the plot though, it is the fact that there is depth and pieces to put together. They are predictable, but the promising side of speculation is what makes it so engrossing.

Written and directed by Danny and Michael Philippou. These two filmmakers try to move up the ladder to new levels of excruciating and immersive scares in their continued projects. It sure notches up a few in Bring Her Back. To compare, Talk to Her correlates to Bring Her Back, but the premise has been twisted, they have added more truths and secrets in Bring Her Back. This is a guardianship scenario that is ignited with wrongdoings, and it must be stopped before it gets more out of hand. What captivates me with the Philippou duo is their forms of writing. They have a craft for creating fake or disturbing characterizations that are bound to be a lie—that is their key approach to creating their invigorating suspense in Bring Her Back.

The film centers on a brother and a sister, Andy (Billy Barratt) and Piper (Sora Wong). Their father has passed, and Andy is still too young to be a guardian to Piper, who also happens to be blind. They get paired with Laura (Sally Hawkins), a foster mom that delivers an eerie vibe. She also has another boy in the house named Oliver (Jonah Wren Phillips), and he displays characteristics that are concerning. Andy begins to see the dangerous side of Laura, who has an intrusive nature and is always placing blame on him. She is doing it to turn Piper against him. After the death of their father, the pattern of the house creates a nightmare portrait for Andy. He can see it clearly, but Piper cannot due to her disability. Did Laura kill their father? Why does Laura have Oliver in concerning patterns of behavior? Why does Laura have bizarre rituals? Why is Laura encouraging abusive matters? Laura does have a motherly personality, but the writing is on the wall of the lies behind that façade.

The context of Bring Her Back presents itself as a truth that does not want to be believed. The audience will not want to believe all of what is happening, and neither do the characters themselves. The juxtaposition of terror disbelief drives forwarda unique brand of a nightmare in Bring Her Back. Many of the characteristics link to wrong choices, a lot of which are from Laura, who loops into action to create a more detrimental experience for Andy and Piper. 

 Bring Her Back delivers imagery that is hard to get out of viewers’ heads. Without giving away spoilers, I will say do not watch the film on a full stomach. It may leave some aching moments, however, it is also surreal, invigorating and inviting. Three out of four stars for Bring Her Back.

This is one of those films where I felt a sense of connection that was mesmerizing. More by the fact that struggles with family in a fantasy setting loops in desperation and urgency—senses of feeling united throttle The Legend of Ochi. Written and directed by Isaiah Saxton, his focus brings his audience to a universe where one finds a cause to care for a particular creature. The setting has filming in Romania—a setting where mountains and villagers have a sense of brutality and norms. Saxton’s era is magnificent—because it is an adventure and fantasy that challenges a new approach to the sense of taking objectives that are right and sincere.

In the film, its main character is Yuri (played by Helena Zengel), and she is one who lives in the village of Carpathia. A destitute island with a vibe of mixed moving parts. It is written like politics are associated, but deep-down Yuri is the one who is alone. With a stubborn father Maxim (played by Willem Dafoe), and a questioning mother Dasha (played by Emily Watson). Yuri’s life revolves around scenarios that are not normal. Her life changes though when she comes across an “Ochi.” It is an animal where the village has been trained to despise, but Yuri feels that this creature is one that is in her hands to protect it. She decides to escape and make this creature her new opportunity. It is a newborn. She runs and Maxim hunts to bring her home, and so does her brother Petro (played by Finn Wolfhard).

The magnificent aspect is the lines of wanting to do good. There is also that nurturing personality of writing that thrives to make The Legend of Ochi feel like E.T. Overall. It is just in an era that is almost in the same period as E.T., but this one has more moving parts hidden beneath the surface. A lot of questions to why an “Ochi” is a creature of despise. Deep-down though, the bond is strong and heavy, and my hope for that true connection that thrives vigorously was when I kept praying for in The Legend of Ochi.

What kept coming to my mind is the pattern of the attitude with the performance of Zengel, Dafoe, and Watson—because throughout the setting of the film, they have that display of disconnect that throttles the sense of desperation. Of course, though, the village setting is in the protective zone, and that is what fuels the film’s loneliness side of the journey to save a creature. However, there is also a sense of good deeds invigorating the core. The Legend of Ochi tends to bring in beliefs to add layers of curiosity but also layers for optimism to keep burgeoning.

The setting of resources and times in complicated places is the valuable aspect in The Legend of Ochi. The writing of hardship and family patterns to maintain is where I found a light of hope that was insightful. The Legend of Ochi is a tail that invigorates a good deed for a cause of inspiration. “Inspiration” of what some will do to feel the lack of love—they will do the empathetic deed. Yuri is the one on the mission to fulfill that destiny. The task is not easy, but along the way, it spirals with magnificence.

Where depth and happiness throttle, it is in a moment when Yuri communicates with the “Ochi.” It is almost like speaking gibberish or Klingon (the language from Star Trek). In that key moment my gut for love felt nourished. That is because that makes the film revive a lonesome moment. It also leaves the door open for change to come around. Fantasy, the forests, and Yuri are the foundation to The Legend of Ochi. Truly magnificent, touching, wonderful, and a grandeur of wackiness with classiness on a level that goes dark to create a bigger meaning of empathy in a fictional tone. Four out of four stars for The Legend of Ochi.