October 20, 2025 • 21 mins
Coming in at number 12, 2025’s “Bring Her Back”. Each day in the month of October we will count you down to Halloween with our favorite, not-so-obvious guaranteed horror hits! We’ll tell you why each one made the list, what the critics say, who should watch it and who should NOT and what food/drink/atmosphere to pair it with each night…. And of course, where you can watch it.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
Hey there, folks. It is Monday, October the twentieth, and
a true Oscar worthy performance highlights the next movie on
our horror hit list. Welcome everybody to this episode of
Amy and TJ. We continue to count down our favorite
horror movies that maybe you never heard of as we
get closer to Halloween. Robes, I didn't overstate it at
(00:30):
the top DDA.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
No. In fact, when we were actually looking to go
see this movie in the theaters like we did, we
kept reading about this woman's performance, and so actually, I
think I had high expectations that I felt like wouldn't
be met. My goodness, Sally Hawkins is the lead in this,
and my goodness, I really would not be surprised and
(00:52):
would be willing to be a part of the campaign
to get her nominated for a an Academy Award. She
deserves an Oscar.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
This Okay, folks, we yes, we're horror movie fans. We
like Justin Long. We never thought he was gonna be
nominated for an Oscar for Jeepers. Creepers, Okay, And there
are some great we talked about. I mean, Justin Chastain
was in another one. There are great performances this one.
We're not overstating and just being Homer's in this one.
(01:22):
This woman's performance carries the daunting nature and the creepy
nature and also a grief stricken nature of this movie.
She hits so many bizarre notes. It's her. We're a
campaigning now. I want this woman to be at least nominated.
You know how they are about horror.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
Movies, Well, this got us going into a little bit
of a deep dive in researching and recognizing that only
that we could find Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster. They
both won Best Actor in their category for Silence of
the Lambs and Silence of the Lambs one Best Picture.
But that's about it when it comes to horror movies,
(02:04):
and obvious that movie swept the Oscars that year, as
it should have. It is a unbelievable movie. I don't
know that this movie rises to that level, but it's
really good and certainly her performance does in my humble opinion.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
And we're so excited about miss Sally Hawkins that we
haven't even told you the name of a damn movie.
It's Bring Her Back. It's number twelve on our list.
The movie is Bring Her Back, and it is it
is brand spaken new just out for a few months. Bro,
we were very excited anytime we see a horror movie
that's that's rated this highly by critics, like, Okay, something
(02:41):
special is happening.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
It must be really really good. So yes, we ran
to the theater to see Bring Her Back, released May
twenty eighth, twenty twenty five, an hour and forty four
minutes rateed R, and it is absolutely earns every bit
of that rateed R.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
Just warning, you say warning. This is the one movie
we teased in the last episode. This is the one.
We've been going back and rewatching all of these movies
before we do a review here on them or put
them on our list. This is the one I said, babe,
can we not watch this one? I don't want to
see it again. Now, that is a weird thing to
try to sell somebody on seeing a movie is saying
I don't want to see it again. It is tough
(03:17):
to up see.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
I don't mind watching it again. I wouldn't be upset
about fast forwarding through one scene. And that's the scene
that you are well.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
Okay, yes, go ahead, I know what you're talking about.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
Yes, you are mostly concerned about rewatching.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
But there is more to it than that. This is
a very heavy it's very dark, it involves rituals. It
is a there is nothing. This is one movie when
people say, well, why do you go to horror movies?
How can you have fun being scared? This is one
movie that it's tough to find enjoyment.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
It's a tough watch, but it's remarkable and you are transfixed.
I will tell you, no matter what's going on in
your life, good bad, ugly happy said, you won't even
remember what's you are so engrossed in this film. It
sucks you in, It pulls you into the narrative, and
it's a bumpy ride. But I mean that's part of
the reason why we go to these movies. We want
(04:09):
to feel something, we want to be transported, and certainly
this movie does this.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
Oh my god, in horrific ways. It is classified as
a horror mystery movie. The synopsis is pretty simple. A
brother and sister uncover a terrifying ritual at the secluded
home of their new foster mother. They really underplayed arrows.
That sounds so simple.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
That doesn't sound at all. A terrifying ritual is just
the beginning of it. The acting is so good though,
across all of the folks who are in this film.
The box office, it did well, nineteen million domestically, twenty
million internationally, so just about forty million total, and the
budget was fifteen million, so they did well. And certainly
this is coming to us from these two directors, Michael
(04:54):
and Danny Philippa, who did Talk to Me, which we
loved as well. I thought that movie was final. You
thought that the lead in that one should have been nominated.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
She was so good, she was spectacular. Sally Hawkins is
another level in this one. But those brothers are considered
now these modern masters of horror. I think they're being called,
but they're storytelling and the way it are doing movies
is I'll watch anything their names are attached to.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
Yes, agreed, So the critics agreed. As you mentioned, Rotten
Tomatoes score eighty nine percent. I actually thought it would
be higher than that, and the audience scores seventy nine percent.
And my only guess is why it's a little bit
lower is because it is such a tough movie to watch.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
Okay, did you read through these reviews? I have not met.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
You said that I shouldn't see I.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
Wanted, and you will agree, I think. But it's some
of these make me think we actually are qualified to
be professional critics, because it is. It does. It's validation
when you see people have the same thoughts, so point
out the same things and they're the professionals.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
Now.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
The critic consensus on this one a domestic nightmare that
draws its most profound scares from Sally Hawkins deranged performance,
Bring Her Back as an exemplary chiller that reaffirms directors
Danny and Michael Philippo as modern masters of horror. Wow,
there it is. Yeah, now, that is a hell of
(06:12):
a review.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
Deranged performance, and of course that would send me if
I hadn't seen it, straight to watching it immediately.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
And again you old Sally. She was in the Paddington
movies and she Shape of Water. She was nominated. Oh yeah,
she's an Oscar nominee. She's an Oscar nominy.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
That makes a lot of sense.
Speaker 1 (06:30):
Okay, yes, No. The audience consensus on this one is
Bring Her Back is a harrowing motion picture that may
gut the bravest of horror buffs, reiterating that the Philippole
brothers are here to slay.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
Oh I love that here to slay. That's that's funny.
I like that. I applaud that more please. This is
the kind of movie that is just gripping in every
way it. We talk about how some of the movies
on our list were like this is just fun, this
is a wild ride, this is entertaining this, and then
there are those that are elevated. This is the probably
(07:04):
among the highest of the elevated horror flicks, and that
just there's incredible storytelling, incredible acting, twist and turns you
cannot see coming, and the type of horror look you start.
When you watch enough like we do. You see some
of the same deaths, you see some of the same gore,
you see some of the same tricks. And I don't
mind that because when they work, they work. But when
(07:25):
you see things as innovative as we saw in this movie,
it's really impressive.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
All right. Sample critic review. There are a lot of
very good ones. So Bringer Back isn't just scary. It's
the most disturbing movie of the year. Gripped me with
relentless anxiety around life, death, family, grief, and the extremes
people go to to suppress pain.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
Sally Hawkins does that. I love movies when we talk
about Barbarian and there was another one recently where the monster,
if you will, or the main evil person you relate
to something that all comes from grief, Like I'm doing
this bad thing because I am actually dealing with loss
in my own life. I like that.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
That reminds me of Babaduk too, that's same. There are
some there are some horror movies where and sometimes it doesn't.
I don't like the ending. I'm like, please, don't make
me feel sorry for the monster. But I actually get
it when they do have that ending, if they do
it in the right way, it just creates this moment.
We've had many conversations in life about good versus evil.
(08:27):
It's not that simple. Almost never are you all bad
or all good, And a lot of times people can
start off good and turn bad and vice versa. But
that I do appreciate it when told right that arching,
that overarching theme, that hey, it's not as obvious or
as easy to point out good and bad.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
I'm a fan of this type of storytelling. Another says
this is a nightmare inducing movie thanks to a wicked
Sally Hawkins and a story balanced by heartache and horror.
That's a good way to put it.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
That is so good.
Speaker 1 (09:03):
Another one saying these brothers their brand of filmmaking is
brutal and honest. Their movie creates unbearable tension from start
to finish. It feels like a festering wound.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
And then people will be like, why do I want
to go see this movie? That I get exactly what
the writer or the critic wrote in that, and that
was meant to actually be a compliment for people who
don't like horror movies. You would say, again, case in point,
here's why you are freaks for liking this stuff, and
I'm normal for not liking it.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
This is the movie you would always warn somebody about, Hey,
you should see it, but you would never just say, yeah,
go check it out.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
I would never tell my parents and my mom and
dad are they really don't like horror movies. They love
the blackening, as we pointed out, like they'll take that,
but they really aren't big horror movie buffs. They don't
know where my brother and I came from because we
both love horror movies so much. But this would be
a movie I would tell them to never watch. Ever.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
Oh wow, Okay, here is the funniest one. And this
is the one that probably I could have written, I
have no desire to watch Bring Her Back ever again.
And I mean this as the highest possible compliment it is.
It's scared. It creeps me out so much. I don't
ever And.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
These are all from official critics. Correct, this is not audience.
Speaker 1 (10:11):
This is not audience yet someone else say it's a
film that opens in one direction but erradically changes lanes
to chase another movie's success rather than truly stand on
its own. Get what they're saying.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
Oh, they're saying that. Are there? Are they saying that
it's chasing what success?
Speaker 1 (10:29):
Talk to me so that they find some connection. They're
trying to go some direction that movie went. So disagree
and get that either. But hey, everybody has the thing
somebody else. Bring Her Back joins the growing roster of
grief horror films that feel more derivative than innovative. You
get that.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
I just think they're trying to say something bad about
a movie that there's very little to say bad about
other than it's disturbing and gruesome. But that's a good
thing for horror movie fans.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
And to your point, the first audience review is the
best one. Quote what a horrifying and sad story. Recommend it.
It is awful. It is a tough one. Oh my god.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
That's so.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
There is one scene, folks.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
Yeah, I know. And when you talk about the one scene,
I actually feel the part of my body that it
impacts hurt, like I actually feel phantom pain because it
stays with you and you're you're making you're doing exactly
what I want to do. It's so rough, it makes
it hard to talk. Makes no sense unless you know
and you've seen the movie. All right, here's another one
(11:36):
from the audience. Excellent film and a fresh look on
grief horror. Story is unsettling and there are definitely some
gory parts. One of the best horror films of the year.
Exclamation point. Look, I didn't realize. We talked about these
subgenres of horror and comedy horror, and we found m
calm horror. There's a thriller horror, but I never even
(11:57):
considered or there's body horror, but grief horror. I hadn't
thought about that. But yes, there are a couple movies
like that.
Speaker 1 (12:04):
There is you know what they include. I'm trying my
thinking of you know, what. I don't want to mention
that movie because it might sound like a criticism, so
I'll tell you about it when we get.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
All right, all right, now, everyone's gonna want to know
what you're saying. A couple other audience reviews. My soul
and entire being hurts after watching this. You could have
written that too.
Speaker 1 (12:24):
Now, this last one is a really good one.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
I love it, and this sums it up. Absolute masterpiece.
Great directing and writing, and first horror movie I've seen
in a while where you can empathize for the antagonist.
Disturbing and scary at times, but this movie had me
in tears. Definitely draws emotion out of you and is
not what you typically expect from a possession horror such
as this. Can't wait to show this movie to other
(12:48):
people and watch their reactions.
Speaker 1 (12:50):
I think that's an honest assessment. You do go on
more of an emotional ride. You're invested because you have
foster kids involved. One of the little girl is blind
as a you can't add to visual disability, yes, and
needs a brother to help. But even that sweet little dynamic.
Speaker 2 (13:06):
And there is grief on both parts. Because I'm from
the kids and from the antagonist, as we shall call her.
But yes, everyone was dealing with major loss and trying
to go forward, and wow, it unravels very quickly.
Speaker 1 (13:22):
Okay, is there anyone listening is going to go out
and watch this movie tonight?
Speaker 2 (13:27):
It made like horror movies, Yes.
Speaker 1 (13:28):
Maybe we've sold them in such a way that you
got to just be curious, like, what in the world
is this movie? Yeah, it's special. It is special in
all the best ways when it comes to a horror movie.
We'll tell you why. After all, we just said about
how uncomfortable this movie made us, we'll tell you why
it actually made our list. Who it's for, who it's
not for? And Robes always has a wonderful food drink
(13:52):
pairing to go with the movies. I actually haven't heard
this one yet myself, kind of curious.
Speaker 2 (13:57):
Stay here, continuing our conversation now on our number twelve movie,
Bring Her Back. It is one of the scariest and
most disturbing movies on our list, and of course that's
(14:20):
why it made our list. It is just so compelling
to watch, from the acting and the performances to the
storyline with the twists and the turns. But man, you
got to bring your your I guess your big girl panties.
You got to bring them with you because I'm telling
you this is some scary stuff.
Speaker 1 (14:37):
Is that a thing?
Speaker 2 (14:38):
I would not take girl pannies. I would not want
to watch this by myself. I would want to watch
this with somebody who I could cuddle up next to,
just because there are times when I needed to hide
my eyes and I wanted to hide my eyes next
to somebody I love.
Speaker 1 (14:52):
You want to snuggle on this one? I? Yes, yeah,
you need like a physical protector of some kind. You know,
you just feel batter having somebody. Yeah, no, I mean me,
everybody like no, not just it with that kind of
I cannot believe they're doing this. You just can't know
how you feel throughout this movie. And jump scares in
(15:13):
this one.
Speaker 2 (15:14):
Yes, there are jump scares. I mean it's just it's
the whole thing is terrifying. But yes, they had just
the right amount of everything, and so why it made
our list. Masterful movie making period. This is just brilliantly done.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
Yeah, and Sally Hawkins, if nothing else, turn your eyes
for every creepy part, but watch her. She is worth
a watch in this movie. She is just incredible. So yeah,
this is as far as horror movies go, this is
certainly on the list. This is probably number one of
all performances. Yes, and horror movies.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
And there we've had And we were kind of looking
back and looking on our list and marveling at how
much the acting was a part of our choices because
there's so many movies we we keep seeing more and
more by the way, Oh we could have put this
one on. Oh we could have put that one on.
And so we'll have a list for next year too,
because there are so many good performances that you forget about.
But then when you actually look at the list altogether,
(16:12):
there's some damn good actors in these movies. So who
is this movie for? I think you've got to have
a strong stomach, You got to be able to tolerate
some gruesome scenes, and you have to really be in
it to want to watch excellent storytelling with incredible acting
if you're in that, because sometimes you're not in that mood.
I know that sounds silly, but sometimes you're not into
appreciating that. You don't want to watch this movie unless
(16:33):
you're in that mood to appreciate just stellar acting. Stellar
script and some stellar scare scenes.
Speaker 1 (16:41):
Yeah, you had to you just talk about mood. I
can't remember what it was. Just the other day you
had something on and we both said, nah, it's not
the right mood right now. It was during the day.
Maybe it was too dark or something was going and
the movie was too dark, and we just there are times.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
Like another time, another place right now.
Speaker 1 (17:00):
Yeah, but don't try this one. If you want to
be upbeat and having fun. This is one. This is
art to sit and appreciate, to be honest with you.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
Yeah, So who is this not for? I think if
you haven't and you aren't a fan of horror movies typically,
you probably are gonna have a tough time with this
one because it is dark and twisted.
Speaker 1 (17:17):
Oh.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
One of the death scenes by someone who you love
in this film is so tough because it's so simple
and yet it's so awful at the same time. You
know what I'm.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
Talking about, right, I can't with this movie.
Speaker 2 (17:31):
Oh my goodness. So yes, I think you really have
to be a uh in order to fully appreciate this.
It would be helpful if you are truly a horror
movie fan, because if you are a horror movie fan,
You will appreciate this the way it should be appreciated.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
Yes, yes, even if you don't sit think oh wow,
this is and you're not gonna have fun necessarily watching this,
but you yes, any horror movie fan will appreciate this. Y.
Speaker 2 (17:54):
Yes. Okay, So food drink pairing first, why don't you
give our listeners what your a suggestion not to eat?
Speaker 1 (18:03):
I'm serious. All there is not do not eat anything
that requires the use of a sharp knife. That's it.
That's all I got to And.
Speaker 2 (18:14):
People are gonna think that that's about stabbing. There's another
there's another you're making. I wish people could see what
you are doing right now, But there is something that
involves a knife that you can't imagine until you actually
see it, and it won't ever leave you.
Speaker 1 (18:29):
That's the problem. No, yeah, no knives.
Speaker 2 (18:31):
So I would actually take it a step further and
say nothing crunchy. I would just say, you know, because normally,
like peanuts, popcorn, pretzels, I would avoid anything crunchy. So
I was actually going to say something like ice cream
would be good because ice helps with nausea, and if
you're feeling a little sick or woozy watching this, movie.
I would say a nice ice cream parfeit would be
(18:52):
perfect with this film. And whatever drink you want again,
I'm going to go with the nan acidic. You just
want to keep things really simple in your stomach because
you're going to be on a wild ride that you
don't need anything extra, So I would avoid bubbles, beer
or anything like that.
Speaker 1 (19:10):
These brothers, they are these directors because I please Amy
TJ do not review our movie.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
We're telling people nothing acidic, nothing it.
Speaker 1 (19:19):
Now, make sure you have at least one person with you.
Speaker 2 (19:23):
A ginger mint. No, I'm kidding, but no, something that
just is simple. And I do think ice cream is
nice because that's got a good texture for what you're watching.
You don't want anything crunchy. You'll understand after you watch it.
Oh okay, where can you watch this film? HBO Max
is where it's available, and obviously you can purchase it
on demand. It's pretty much everywhere in terms of streaming,
but if you do have an HBO Max subscription, it
(19:45):
will come to you at no extra costs.
Speaker 1 (19:47):
I would love to hear people's reactions. Who are who
would go and watch it because of what they heard here.
I would love to hear their reactions to it. We
gotta find it. Send them in Amy TJ Podcast, Instagram in.
Speaker 2 (19:58):
The yeah, put it in the comments section. Well, we're
gonna go. We haven't looked at it yet, but I
would like to go through some of those social media
posts and read everyone's comments, and maybe we can have
a fun kind of follow It would be fun to
hear what everyone thinks is their favorite movie among the
group that we selected. That might be a fun one too.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
Follow up put into a vote, that would be great.
Speaker 2 (20:17):
We could do that at the end. We could put
it to a vote and have everyone kind of way
in and then we can do something and figure out
just how off we were from what you all think.
But our next movie, it will be number eleven on
the list. This is a movie that actually blended genres
in a way that got me so excited. I was
(20:38):
very quick to ask you to come to a movie
date with me.
Speaker 1 (20:43):
Wow, that's your ease. Yeah, this movie of all it's
number it will be a number eleven on our list. Yes,
but it is the number one movie on the list
that you should see with a date. Perfect.
Speaker 2 (21:00):
I love it all right, And with that, thank you
for listening. Everyone, I'm maybe Roebuck alongside my always movie
date TJ Holmes, and we will talk to you soon.
Hey there, folks. It is Monday, October the twentieth, and
a true Oscar worthy performance highlights the next movie on
our horror hit list. Welcome everybody to this episode of
Amy and TJ. We continue to count down our favorite
horror movies that maybe you never heard of as we
get closer to Halloween. Robes, I didn't overstate it at
(00:30):
the top DDA.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
No. In fact, when we were actually looking to go
see this movie in the theaters like we did, we
kept reading about this woman's performance, and so actually, I
think I had high expectations that I felt like wouldn't
be met. My goodness, Sally Hawkins is the lead in this,
and my goodness, I really would not be surprised and
(00:52):
would be willing to be a part of the campaign
to get her nominated for a an Academy Award. She
deserves an Oscar.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
This Okay, folks, we yes, we're horror movie fans. We
like Justin Long. We never thought he was gonna be
nominated for an Oscar for Jeepers. Creepers, Okay, And there
are some great we talked about. I mean, Justin Chastain
was in another one. There are great performances this one.
We're not overstating and just being Homer's in this one.
(01:22):
This woman's performance carries the daunting nature and the creepy
nature and also a grief stricken nature of this movie.
She hits so many bizarre notes. It's her. We're a
campaigning now. I want this woman to be at least nominated.
You know how they are about horror.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
Movies, Well, this got us going into a little bit
of a deep dive in researching and recognizing that only
that we could find Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster. They
both won Best Actor in their category for Silence of
the Lambs and Silence of the Lambs one Best Picture.
But that's about it when it comes to horror movies,
(02:04):
and obvious that movie swept the Oscars that year, as
it should have. It is a unbelievable movie. I don't
know that this movie rises to that level, but it's
really good and certainly her performance does in my humble opinion.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
And we're so excited about miss Sally Hawkins that we
haven't even told you the name of a damn movie.
It's Bring Her Back. It's number twelve on our list.
The movie is Bring Her Back, and it is it
is brand spaken new just out for a few months. Bro,
we were very excited anytime we see a horror movie
that's that's rated this highly by critics, like, Okay, something
(02:41):
special is happening.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
It must be really really good. So yes, we ran
to the theater to see Bring Her Back, released May
twenty eighth, twenty twenty five, an hour and forty four
minutes rateed R, and it is absolutely earns every bit
of that rateed R.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
Just warning, you say warning. This is the one movie
we teased in the last episode. This is the one.
We've been going back and rewatching all of these movies
before we do a review here on them or put
them on our list. This is the one I said, babe,
can we not watch this one? I don't want to
see it again. Now, that is a weird thing to
try to sell somebody on seeing a movie is saying
I don't want to see it again. It is tough
(03:17):
to up see.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
I don't mind watching it again. I wouldn't be upset
about fast forwarding through one scene. And that's the scene
that you are well.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
Okay, yes, go ahead, I know what you're talking about.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
Yes, you are mostly concerned about rewatching.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
But there is more to it than that. This is
a very heavy it's very dark, it involves rituals. It
is a there is nothing. This is one movie when
people say, well, why do you go to horror movies?
How can you have fun being scared? This is one
movie that it's tough to find enjoyment.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
It's a tough watch, but it's remarkable and you are transfixed.
I will tell you, no matter what's going on in
your life, good bad, ugly happy said, you won't even
remember what's you are so engrossed in this film. It
sucks you in, It pulls you into the narrative, and
it's a bumpy ride. But I mean that's part of
the reason why we go to these movies. We want
(04:09):
to feel something, we want to be transported, and certainly
this movie does this.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
Oh my god, in horrific ways. It is classified as
a horror mystery movie. The synopsis is pretty simple. A
brother and sister uncover a terrifying ritual at the secluded
home of their new foster mother. They really underplayed arrows.
That sounds so simple.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
That doesn't sound at all. A terrifying ritual is just
the beginning of it. The acting is so good though,
across all of the folks who are in this film.
The box office, it did well, nineteen million domestically, twenty
million internationally, so just about forty million total, and the
budget was fifteen million, so they did well. And certainly
this is coming to us from these two directors, Michael
(04:54):
and Danny Philippa, who did Talk to Me, which we
loved as well. I thought that movie was final. You
thought that the lead in that one should have been nominated.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
She was so good, she was spectacular. Sally Hawkins is
another level in this one. But those brothers are considered
now these modern masters of horror. I think they're being called,
but they're storytelling and the way it are doing movies
is I'll watch anything their names are attached to.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
Yes, agreed, So the critics agreed. As you mentioned, Rotten
Tomatoes score eighty nine percent. I actually thought it would
be higher than that, and the audience scores seventy nine percent.
And my only guess is why it's a little bit
lower is because it is such a tough movie to watch.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
Okay, did you read through these reviews? I have not met.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
You said that I shouldn't see I.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
Wanted, and you will agree, I think. But it's some
of these make me think we actually are qualified to
be professional critics, because it is. It does. It's validation
when you see people have the same thoughts, so point
out the same things and they're the professionals.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
Now.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
The critic consensus on this one a domestic nightmare that
draws its most profound scares from Sally Hawkins deranged performance,
Bring Her Back as an exemplary chiller that reaffirms directors
Danny and Michael Philippo as modern masters of horror. Wow,
there it is. Yeah, now, that is a hell of
(06:12):
a review.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
Deranged performance, and of course that would send me if
I hadn't seen it, straight to watching it immediately.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
And again you old Sally. She was in the Paddington
movies and she Shape of Water. She was nominated. Oh yeah,
she's an Oscar nominee. She's an Oscar nominy.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
That makes a lot of sense.
Speaker 1 (06:30):
Okay, yes, No. The audience consensus on this one is
Bring Her Back is a harrowing motion picture that may
gut the bravest of horror buffs, reiterating that the Philippole
brothers are here to slay.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
Oh I love that here to slay. That's that's funny.
I like that. I applaud that more please. This is
the kind of movie that is just gripping in every
way it. We talk about how some of the movies
on our list were like this is just fun, this
is a wild ride, this is entertaining this, and then
there are those that are elevated. This is the probably
(07:04):
among the highest of the elevated horror flicks, and that
just there's incredible storytelling, incredible acting, twist and turns you
cannot see coming, and the type of horror look you start.
When you watch enough like we do. You see some
of the same deaths, you see some of the same gore,
you see some of the same tricks. And I don't
mind that because when they work, they work. But when
(07:25):
you see things as innovative as we saw in this movie,
it's really impressive.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
All right. Sample critic review. There are a lot of
very good ones. So Bringer Back isn't just scary. It's
the most disturbing movie of the year. Gripped me with
relentless anxiety around life, death, family, grief, and the extremes
people go to to suppress pain.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
Sally Hawkins does that. I love movies when we talk
about Barbarian and there was another one recently where the monster,
if you will, or the main evil person you relate
to something that all comes from grief, Like I'm doing
this bad thing because I am actually dealing with loss
in my own life. I like that.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
That reminds me of Babaduk too, that's same. There are
some there are some horror movies where and sometimes it doesn't.
I don't like the ending. I'm like, please, don't make
me feel sorry for the monster. But I actually get
it when they do have that ending, if they do
it in the right way, it just creates this moment.
We've had many conversations in life about good versus evil.
(08:27):
It's not that simple. Almost never are you all bad
or all good, And a lot of times people can
start off good and turn bad and vice versa. But
that I do appreciate it when told right that arching,
that overarching theme, that hey, it's not as obvious or
as easy to point out good and bad.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
I'm a fan of this type of storytelling. Another says
this is a nightmare inducing movie thanks to a wicked
Sally Hawkins and a story balanced by heartache and horror.
That's a good way to put it.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
That is so good.
Speaker 1 (09:03):
Another one saying these brothers their brand of filmmaking is
brutal and honest. Their movie creates unbearable tension from start
to finish. It feels like a festering wound.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
And then people will be like, why do I want
to go see this movie? That I get exactly what
the writer or the critic wrote in that, and that
was meant to actually be a compliment for people who
don't like horror movies. You would say, again, case in point,
here's why you are freaks for liking this stuff, and
I'm normal for not liking it.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
This is the movie you would always warn somebody about, Hey,
you should see it, but you would never just say, yeah,
go check it out.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
I would never tell my parents and my mom and
dad are they really don't like horror movies. They love
the blackening, as we pointed out, like they'll take that,
but they really aren't big horror movie buffs. They don't
know where my brother and I came from because we
both love horror movies so much. But this would be
a movie I would tell them to never watch. Ever.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
Oh wow, Okay, here is the funniest one. And this
is the one that probably I could have written, I
have no desire to watch Bring Her Back ever again.
And I mean this as the highest possible compliment it is.
It's scared. It creeps me out so much. I don't
ever And.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
These are all from official critics. Correct, this is not audience.
Speaker 1 (10:11):
This is not audience yet someone else say it's a
film that opens in one direction but erradically changes lanes
to chase another movie's success rather than truly stand on
its own. Get what they're saying.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
Oh, they're saying that. Are there? Are they saying that
it's chasing what success?
Speaker 1 (10:29):
Talk to me so that they find some connection. They're
trying to go some direction that movie went. So disagree
and get that either. But hey, everybody has the thing
somebody else. Bring Her Back joins the growing roster of
grief horror films that feel more derivative than innovative. You
get that.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
I just think they're trying to say something bad about
a movie that there's very little to say bad about
other than it's disturbing and gruesome. But that's a good
thing for horror movie fans.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
And to your point, the first audience review is the
best one. Quote what a horrifying and sad story. Recommend it.
It is awful. It is a tough one. Oh my god.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
That's so.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
There is one scene, folks.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
Yeah, I know. And when you talk about the one scene,
I actually feel the part of my body that it
impacts hurt, like I actually feel phantom pain because it
stays with you and you're you're making you're doing exactly
what I want to do. It's so rough, it makes
it hard to talk. Makes no sense unless you know
and you've seen the movie. All right, here's another one
(11:36):
from the audience. Excellent film and a fresh look on
grief horror. Story is unsettling and there are definitely some
gory parts. One of the best horror films of the year.
Exclamation point. Look, I didn't realize. We talked about these
subgenres of horror and comedy horror, and we found m
calm horror. There's a thriller horror, but I never even
(11:57):
considered or there's body horror, but grief horror. I hadn't
thought about that. But yes, there are a couple movies
like that.
Speaker 1 (12:04):
There is you know what they include. I'm trying my
thinking of you know, what. I don't want to mention
that movie because it might sound like a criticism, so
I'll tell you about it when we get.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
All right, all right, now, everyone's gonna want to know
what you're saying. A couple other audience reviews. My soul
and entire being hurts after watching this. You could have
written that too.
Speaker 1 (12:24):
Now, this last one is a really good one.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
I love it, and this sums it up. Absolute masterpiece.
Great directing and writing, and first horror movie I've seen
in a while where you can empathize for the antagonist.
Disturbing and scary at times, but this movie had me
in tears. Definitely draws emotion out of you and is
not what you typically expect from a possession horror such
as this. Can't wait to show this movie to other
(12:48):
people and watch their reactions.
Speaker 1 (12:50):
I think that's an honest assessment. You do go on
more of an emotional ride. You're invested because you have
foster kids involved. One of the little girl is blind
as a you can't add to visual disability, yes, and
needs a brother to help. But even that sweet little dynamic.
Speaker 2 (13:06):
And there is grief on both parts. Because I'm from
the kids and from the antagonist, as we shall call her.
But yes, everyone was dealing with major loss and trying
to go forward, and wow, it unravels very quickly.
Speaker 1 (13:22):
Okay, is there anyone listening is going to go out
and watch this movie tonight?
Speaker 2 (13:27):
It made like horror movies, Yes.
Speaker 1 (13:28):
Maybe we've sold them in such a way that you
got to just be curious, like, what in the world
is this movie? Yeah, it's special. It is special in
all the best ways when it comes to a horror movie.
We'll tell you why. After all, we just said about
how uncomfortable this movie made us, we'll tell you why
it actually made our list. Who it's for, who it's
not for? And Robes always has a wonderful food drink
(13:52):
pairing to go with the movies. I actually haven't heard
this one yet myself, kind of curious.
Speaker 2 (13:57):
Stay here, continuing our conversation now on our number twelve movie,
Bring Her Back. It is one of the scariest and
most disturbing movies on our list, and of course that's
(14:20):
why it made our list. It is just so compelling
to watch, from the acting and the performances to the
storyline with the twists and the turns. But man, you
got to bring your your I guess your big girl panties.
You got to bring them with you because I'm telling
you this is some scary stuff.
Speaker 1 (14:37):
Is that a thing?
Speaker 2 (14:38):
I would not take girl pannies. I would not want
to watch this by myself. I would want to watch
this with somebody who I could cuddle up next to,
just because there are times when I needed to hide
my eyes and I wanted to hide my eyes next
to somebody I love.
Speaker 1 (14:52):
You want to snuggle on this one? I? Yes, yeah,
you need like a physical protector of some kind. You know,
you just feel batter having somebody. Yeah, no, I mean me,
everybody like no, not just it with that kind of
I cannot believe they're doing this. You just can't know
how you feel throughout this movie. And jump scares in
(15:13):
this one.
Speaker 2 (15:14):
Yes, there are jump scares. I mean it's just it's
the whole thing is terrifying. But yes, they had just
the right amount of everything, and so why it made
our list. Masterful movie making period. This is just brilliantly done.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
Yeah, and Sally Hawkins, if nothing else, turn your eyes
for every creepy part, but watch her. She is worth
a watch in this movie. She is just incredible. So yeah,
this is as far as horror movies go, this is
certainly on the list. This is probably number one of
all performances. Yes, and horror movies.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
And there we've had And we were kind of looking
back and looking on our list and marveling at how
much the acting was a part of our choices because
there's so many movies we we keep seeing more and
more by the way, Oh we could have put this
one on. Oh we could have put that one on.
And so we'll have a list for next year too,
because there are so many good performances that you forget about.
But then when you actually look at the list altogether,
(16:12):
there's some damn good actors in these movies. So who
is this movie for? I think you've got to have
a strong stomach, You got to be able to tolerate
some gruesome scenes, and you have to really be in
it to want to watch excellent storytelling with incredible acting
if you're in that, because sometimes you're not in that mood.
I know that sounds silly, but sometimes you're not into
appreciating that. You don't want to watch this movie unless
(16:33):
you're in that mood to appreciate just stellar acting. Stellar
script and some stellar scare scenes.
Speaker 1 (16:41):
Yeah, you had to you just talk about mood. I
can't remember what it was. Just the other day you
had something on and we both said, nah, it's not
the right mood right now. It was during the day.
Maybe it was too dark or something was going and
the movie was too dark, and we just there are times.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
Like another time, another place right now.
Speaker 1 (17:00):
Yeah, but don't try this one. If you want to
be upbeat and having fun. This is one. This is
art to sit and appreciate, to be honest with you.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
Yeah, So who is this not for? I think if
you haven't and you aren't a fan of horror movies typically,
you probably are gonna have a tough time with this
one because it is dark and twisted.
Speaker 1 (17:17):
Oh.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
One of the death scenes by someone who you love
in this film is so tough because it's so simple
and yet it's so awful at the same time. You
know what I'm.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
Talking about, right, I can't with this movie.
Speaker 2 (17:31):
Oh my goodness. So yes, I think you really have
to be a uh in order to fully appreciate this.
It would be helpful if you are truly a horror
movie fan, because if you are a horror movie fan,
You will appreciate this the way it should be appreciated.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
Yes, yes, even if you don't sit think oh wow,
this is and you're not gonna have fun necessarily watching this,
but you yes, any horror movie fan will appreciate this. Y.
Speaker 2 (17:54):
Yes. Okay, So food drink pairing first, why don't you
give our listeners what your a suggestion not to eat?
Speaker 1 (18:03):
I'm serious. All there is not do not eat anything
that requires the use of a sharp knife. That's it.
That's all I got to And.
Speaker 2 (18:14):
People are gonna think that that's about stabbing. There's another
there's another you're making. I wish people could see what
you are doing right now, But there is something that
involves a knife that you can't imagine until you actually
see it, and it won't ever leave you.
Speaker 1 (18:29):
That's the problem. No, yeah, no knives.
Speaker 2 (18:31):
So I would actually take it a step further and
say nothing crunchy. I would just say, you know, because normally,
like peanuts, popcorn, pretzels, I would avoid anything crunchy. So
I was actually going to say something like ice cream
would be good because ice helps with nausea, and if
you're feeling a little sick or woozy watching this, movie.
I would say a nice ice cream parfeit would be
(18:52):
perfect with this film. And whatever drink you want again,
I'm going to go with the nan acidic. You just
want to keep things really simple in your stomach because
you're going to be on a wild ride that you
don't need anything extra, So I would avoid bubbles, beer
or anything like that.
Speaker 1 (19:10):
These brothers, they are these directors because I please Amy
TJ do not review our movie.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
We're telling people nothing acidic, nothing it.
Speaker 1 (19:19):
Now, make sure you have at least one person with you.
Speaker 2 (19:23):
A ginger mint. No, I'm kidding, but no, something that
just is simple. And I do think ice cream is
nice because that's got a good texture for what you're watching.
You don't want anything crunchy. You'll understand after you watch it.
Oh okay, where can you watch this film? HBO Max
is where it's available, and obviously you can purchase it
on demand. It's pretty much everywhere in terms of streaming,
but if you do have an HBO Max subscription, it
(19:45):
will come to you at no extra costs.
Speaker 1 (19:47):
I would love to hear people's reactions. Who are who
would go and watch it because of what they heard here.
I would love to hear their reactions to it. We
gotta find it. Send them in Amy TJ Podcast, Instagram in.
Speaker 2 (19:58):
The yeah, put it in the comments section. Well, we're
gonna go. We haven't looked at it yet, but I
would like to go through some of those social media
posts and read everyone's comments, and maybe we can have
a fun kind of follow It would be fun to
hear what everyone thinks is their favorite movie among the
group that we selected. That might be a fun one too.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
Follow up put into a vote, that would be great.
Speaker 2 (20:17):
We could do that at the end. We could put
it to a vote and have everyone kind of way
in and then we can do something and figure out
just how off we were from what you all think.
But our next movie, it will be number eleven on
the list. This is a movie that actually blended genres
in a way that got me so excited. I was
(20:38):
very quick to ask you to come to a movie
date with me.
Speaker 1 (20:43):
Wow, that's your ease. Yeah, this movie of all it's
number it will be a number eleven on our list. Yes,
but it is the number one movie on the list
that you should see with a date. Perfect.
Speaker 2 (21:00):
I love it all right, And with that, thank you
for listening. Everyone, I'm maybe Roebuck alongside my always movie
date TJ Holmes, and we will talk to you soon.
Hosts And Creators
Amy Robach
T.J. Holmes
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