Birth of a new star in tense, edge-of-your-seat horror thriller Bring Her Back, seen at The Light, Wisbech

Film review: Bring Her Back (18) - seen at The Light, Wisbech

Starring: Sally Hawkins, Sora Wong, Billy Barratt and Jonah Wren Phillips

Directors: Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou Run time: One hour, 44 minutes

After the success of their 2023 debut Talk To Me, the Philippou brothers have doubled down with a wonderful second movie.

If there's a more tense, edge-of-your-seat, viewing-through-your-fingers horror film out there, then I've yet to see it.

This slow-burning, broody, psychological dark thriller is a masterpiece of the horror genre.

The plot is superb, the writing and dialogue spot on and the acting top class. Who knew Paddington star Sally Hawkins could play such a role as demented foster carer Laura? She really is superb.

Grieving the loss of her blind daughter, who drowned in the now-empty outside pool, she clings to similarities in foster child Piper. If only her motives were so innocent.

And starring in her first movie, indeed, acting for the very first time,14-year-old visually impaired youngster Sora Wong puts in a fantastic performance as the partially-sighted Piper, who, along with protective older brother Andy (Billy Barratt), is fostered by Laura after their dad dies.

Laura's over-the-top friendliness and inappropriate, badly timed bonhomie are unsettling from the start.

As for her son Oliver, 12-year-old Jonah Wren Phillips makes him quite terrifying as he stars in the film's most disturbing scenes.

Set against a backdrop of almost constant rain, the plot builds as the downfalls gets heavier, culminating in a horrific but satisfying ending.

This is, without doubt, the best movie I've seen this year, and I'd be amazed if it isn't the beginning of a wonderful career for Wong.

Rating: 9/10

By Jeremy Ransome