The Philippou brothers have clearly made a mark on horror and cinema in general with their two features in the span of two years, Talk to Me, released in 2023, and Bring Her Back, released May 30th of this year.
I’m really hoping the brothers will create a third film to seal their grief trilogy- but until that happens, in this piece, I’d like to examine these two films and compare them. Much of the initial feedback from Bring Her Back was that it was completely different (for many, in a negative way) than the brothers initial film debut. Others find a lot of common themes between the two. In fact, there is a line that Andy says to Oliver in Bring Her Back in the kitchen/cantaloupe scene, that directly references and quotes Talk To Me.
Talk to Me follows Mia, struggling with the loss of her mother, and her teenage friends, after they discover a mysterious hand that can connect them with spirits. Bring Her Back focuses on two step siblings who are unknowingly placed in an occult ritual to bring their foster mother’s daughter back to life.
Some may ask, is it even worth comparing these two films? I personally enjoy putting films side by side that have the same director because while they all may slightly differ, there are elements, signature artistic forms of expression, and themes that directors will often carry in all of their work, and I see this in spades with the Philippou brothers. Additionally, it may give us some clues as to what we can expect next if and when they continue to create more film.
There are three major similarities and three differences between these two A24 produced films, and I will expand on each point a bit shortly, but let’s start with the similarities. Both Talk To Me and Bring Her Back focus on grief, supernatural rituals, and familial dynamics.
As stated in my Bring Her Back review, it is clear these brothers have a knack, fascination for, and deep understanding of grief. The horror in their films is far, far deeper than just jump scares, gore, or creepy images-it asks the viewer and the characters, how far would you go to feel relief from grief for just one minute? To see someone you’ve lost and loved? To feel their presence just one more time? What are the consequences of these choices and risks and what do they tell us about ourselves and the world around us? While the brothers are not the first in this genre to explore grief, this element that links both films really elevates both of their movies to a very high level. And while I love a cheesy, campy, horror-ific time, to be able to take a genre as polarizing as this, and create some of the most moving and devastating art is absolutely incredible. 
Supernatural rituals are big plot points of Talk To Me and Bring Her Back, with the hand in Talk To Me connecting our characters to the other side, and the ritual Laura is trying to complete in Bring Her Back, allowing the spirit of her deceased daughter to be resurrected. Now, these rituals do differ in the sense of, Laura trying to complete the ritual in a timely manner is a conflict and stressful (might I add) element of Bring Her Back, whereas the teens in Talk To Me, are able to instantly reach the other side with no delayed gratification. But, it’s evident the brothers have a fascination at minimum with the supernatural, occult, rituals, witchcraft, and more. Transparently, I am not a huge supernatural horror lover-it is not my favorite sub genre and I find much of it to be very predictable, boring, or for cheap scares, but in these films, the rituals aren’t just there for spooky aesthetic-they serve plot and emotional purposes. Without these rituals, our protagonists cannot reach their goals. 
Finally, familial dynamics link both these films together, even to the point of exploring the idea of “non traditional families” in the form of step siblings, foster care, and friends as family. Familial dynamics serve a massive role in both stories, and while I can’t give specific details on both films in case people haven’t seen both, they very much inform the conflict, emotion, and devastation of both stories. The brothers do not shy away from punching you in the stomach emotionally, and while you may grow very attached to the characters and their energy with each other, nothing is a given when you’re watching Danny and Michael’s films, and let’s just say both of these end rather bleakly in this regard, and also in general. With the exception of Ari Aster’s Hereditary, I have yet to see horror films as fantastic as these that explore the horrors of family dynamic, that frankly can be far scarier than any jump scare, blood, or image the film may provide.
All of these wonderful similarities in consideration, I appreciate that the films also have some variety. While I can understand complaints about the two being potentially too different, to me, it shows the Philippou range and wide scope of talent. Three key differences between the two films can be outlined as follows: general tone, pacing, and cinematography.
Both of these films are immensely disturbing and dark, but in my opinion, Bring Her Back is FAR more terrifying, sinister, and honestly, pretty hopeless in comparison to Talk To Me. The tone of these two films could not differ more-Talk To Me leans into the teenage energy it highlights. In fact, there’s a scene where they all pass around the hand while “Le Monde” plays in the background, people light joints, mess around, etc. There is another dance party sequence in Bring Her Back to the song of “Freaks”, but it is not nearly as light hearted to me as the former-there is something so disturbing, eerie, and unsettling about a grown woman forcing her teen foster kids to drink after a day of unprocessed grief at a funeral. I left Talk to Me feeling pretty empty, sad, and wanting to call my mom, but I left Bring Her Back in absolute shambles, tears, and felt a bit stunned for multiple days. Frankly, I adore risky filmmaking like this. It’s clear the brothers pushed the envelope with their first film but wanted to dig even deeper with their sophomore debut and it shows. I personally like the shift in tone, but completely understand why many are steering clear of Bring Her Back.
Talk to Me and Bring Her Back both have similar runtimes, yet the pacing and feel of the two in terms of how fast or slow elements move along could not differ more. Talk To Me is a bit more fast paced and action packed, while Bring Her Back is more of a torturous, devastating slow burn, and my god, it is stunningly impressive that the brothers can pull off both so well. These types of pacing will pull different audiences and will polarize folks on what they prefer, but we must give the brothers credit in how they are able to achieve both aesthetics so seamlessly, and also within the same genre.
Finally, there is a clear jump in cinematography from Talk to Me to Bring Her Back. That’s not to say one is better than the other, however there are a few signature shots from Bring Her Back that absolutely take my breath away. One has been used heavily in advertising, of Sally Hawkins as Laura creating a circle using her bloody hand, others include some home footage of Laura’s deceased daughter transitioning seamlessly into her foster daughter, and an absolutely heartbreaking sequence in the rain. Talk To Me’s visuals are much more focused on light and dark, quick cuts with more of the fast paced drama, and what lingers in the darkness that we may not see. With any job or hobby, artistic or not, we all may choose to do, generally people improve the more they practice and create, and this is clearly evident in a lot of the camera work, editing, and soundscape in the sequence of these two films. 
As I’ve said in prior pieces, the Philippou brothers are a duo to watch closely. I highly recommend folks watch both these films and give them equal attention, and while I personally preferred Bring Her Back more, they are both so, so excellent and will sit under your skin and in your psyche for days and weeks after. Given their young age, their origins as Youtubers, and fresh ideas, I think Danny and Michael Philippou bring some very exciting and terrifying energy to the horror and film table, and I certainly can’t wait to partake in their next feast. 
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